The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Holds No. 1 Spot at Domestic Box Office

Universal’s animated sequel The Super Mario Galaxy Movie maintained the top position at the domestic box office during its second weekend of release, earning $69 million from 4,284 North American theaters. This performance represents a 48% decline from the film’s debut, a hold considered strong for a blockbuster of this scale.

The film is currently on track to potentially become the first release of 2026 to surpass the $300 million mark domestically during its second week in theaters, according to reporting from Page Six.

Opening Performance and Global Reach

The movie debuted with $190.8 million in the U.S. And Canada over a five-day holiday weekend. Globally, the film earned $372.6 million during its opening, marking the largest global opening of 2026 at the time of its release. The international weekend cume, including previews, was estimated at $182.4 million.

Produced by Universal Pictures, Nintendo, and Illumination, the sequel had a production budget of $110 million. The story continues the adventures of Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach as they journey to rescue Princess Rosalina.

This production marks the 16th movie in 16 years for producer Chris Meledandri. The film’s success follows the 2023 debut of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which earned $146.4 million in its opening weekend.

Audience Reception and Marketing

Audience feedback has been positive, with the film receiving an A- CinemaScore and a 90% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film’s release was supported by a multifaceted marketing campaign from NBCUniversal titled Legendary February. This campaign utilized the Olympic Games as a platform, featuring streaming and linear placements and custom creative that depicted Yoshi and Princess Peach participating in new sports and exploring new galaxies.

This extraordinary weekend underscores the amazing partnership between Nintendo and Illumination, and the enduring strength of Mario and his pals. ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ feels bigger and more ambitious, with audiences clearly embracing this next evolution of their world.

Jim Orr, President of Domestic Theatrical Distribution for Universal Pictures

Market Competition and Industry Trends

In the wider domestic market, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie faced limited competition during its second weekend. Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling, remained in second place, earning over $6.83 million on Friday, April 10, 2026, during its fourth weekend in theaters.

The romantic comedy Me, You & Tuscany, starring Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page, debuted in third place with a Friday take of $3.16 million on April 10, 2026.

The strong performance of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and other family-friendly titles such as Hoppers has contributed to a broader recovery in the movie industry. Theatrical revenue for the first quarter of 2026 increased by more than 20% compared to the same period in 2025.