What's Happening?
Illumination and Nintendo have officially announced the title for the sequel to the Super Mario Bros. Movie as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The film is set to be released by Universal Pictures on April 3, 2026, in the U.S. and other world markets, with a later release in Japan on April 24, 2026. The voice cast will see the return of Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, and Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek. The sequel will be directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who also directed the first Super Mario Bros. Movie released in 2023. The film is co-financed by Universal Pictures and Nintendo, with Chris Meledandri of Illumination and Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo producing.
Why It's Important?
The announcement of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is significant as it continues the successful collaboration between Illumination and Nintendo, following the massive box office success of the original Super Mario Bros. Movie, which grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide. This sequel is expected to further capitalize on the popularity of the franchise, potentially boosting the animated film industry and reinforcing the cultural impact of the Super Mario brand. The return of the original voice cast and production team suggests continuity in quality and storytelling, which could attract both existing fans and new audiences.
What's Next?
With the announcement of the title and release date, production on The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is underway, with storyboarding and set design already in progress. Fans can anticipate further announcements regarding additional voice cast members and plot details as the release date approaches. The film's success could influence future collaborations between Illumination and Nintendo, potentially leading to more adaptations of Nintendo's popular franchises.
