Mario and friends are having a-me-zing time in space…and at the box office, too. After scoring the biggest three-day film opening of 2026 so far, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has ignited the spring bloom with a global debut of US$372.5 million, with US$190 million coming from the domestic screenings over the five-day Easter window.
The numbers put it ahead of Amazon-MGM’s sleeper hit, Project Hail Mary, which collected US$300 million worldwide in its opening weekend, but behind its 2023 predecessor (US$375 million). It also marks the best showing since James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, released last December, and the top opening of 2026 to date. On a global scale, the sequel’s other milestones include the fifth-biggest opening ever for an animated title, the fourth-biggest for a Hollywood studio release behind Zootopia 2, Moana 2, and the first Super Mario film, and the only animated franchise based on a video game to have two outings earning more than US$350 million.
While The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has garnered largely negative reviews from critics, it now sits at an audience score of A- on CinemaScore, reflecting a similar pattern with the original pic. Directed by returning helmers Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, the follow-up follows Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach, as they once again take on the evil Bowser — this time along with his son, Bowser Jr. — in an adventure that spans the galaxy.
Chris Pratt reprises his role as the titular plumber, alongside Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, and Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek. Series newcomers include Brie Larson, Benny Safdie, Donald Glover, and Glen Powell, who are playing Rosalina, Bowser Jr., Yoshii, and Fox McCloud, respectively.
Now in its third weekend, Project Hail Mary takes second place at the domestic box office with US$30.6 million, bringing the total North American haul to US$217 million (and US$400 million globally). A24’s The Drama, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, landed at No. 3, while Pixar and Disney’s Hoppers (US$5.8 million) and Reminders of Him (US$2.3 million) rounded out the top five.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
