AceShowbiz - The latest installment in the Mario movie franchise, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, has made a powerful impact at the box office despite mixed reactions from critics and audiences alike. The sequel managed to secure the biggest opening weekend of 2026 so far, marking a significant commercial success that, while not quite surpassing the original 2023 hit, still signals a strong financial start for Nintendo’s newest cinematic adventure.

Chris Pratt, who returns as the voice of Mario in the film, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram to express his gratitude to fans and collaborators following this achievement. This role is the first of three movies Pratt is set to appear in throughout 2026, coming after February’s Mercy and ahead of November’s Way of the Warrior Kid.

In his post, Pratt wrote, "I want to say thank you to the audiences around the world for making The Super Mario Galaxy Movie such a success. Thank you for pumping much needed life into the box office this weekend. Thanks Miyamoto-San, Nintendo, Chris Mellendadri, Illumination and Universal for trusting me to voice Mario. Adults and kids alike are flocking to share in the nostalgia of these beloved characters and stories. Such an awesome cast across the board! I feel so blessed to be a part of it. Thanks again!! LETSAGO! Much love, CP"

The film’s early release on April 1 gave it a head start for the weekend box office tally. It earned an impressive $190.1 million domestically, with $130.9 million coming during the Friday through Sunday period. This performance positioned The Super Mario Galaxy Movie as the year’s top box office hit so far, outpacing notable contenders like Project Hail Mary, which grossed $30.6 million in its third weekend, and A24’s The Drama, the biggest release on Friday, which took in $14.3 million for the weekend.

Given this momentum, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is shaping up to be a significant player in 2026’s box office landscape, much to the delight of Pratt and the entire team behind the film.

Following the massive success of the original The Super Mario Bros. Movie that debuted in 2023 and grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing video game adaptation ever and the second highest-grossing movie of that year behind Barbie’s $1.4 billion, expectations for the sequel are high. While it remains too early to predict if The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will cross the $1 billion mark, the strong opening weekend certainly suggests that possibility.

This success also underscores how far the Mario franchise’s film adaptations have come since the poorly received live-action Super Mario Bros. movie released in 1993.

In addition to Chris Pratt, the sequel features returning talents like Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, and Keegan-Michael Key. The cast is further bolstered by newcomers such as Brie Larson, Benny Safdie, Donald Glover, and Glen Powell.

The storyline takes Mario and his friends on a cosmic journey where they face off against Bowser and Bowser Jr. while forming alliances with characters like Yoshi, Princess Rosalina, and Star Fox. The film is once again directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, with Matthew Fogel returning as the screenwriter, continuing the creative vision established in the first movie.

If The Super Mario Galaxy Movie maintains its box office success, it would not be surprising if Nintendo, Illumination, and Universal Pictures soon announce a third installment in the Super Mario Bros. movie series.

Looking ahead, Nintendo fans also have another major film adaptation to anticipate: the live-action The Legend of Zelda, which is slated for release on May 7, 2027, through Sony Pictures.

Overall, the enthusiastic audience response and financial results demonstrate the enduring appeal of these iconic Nintendo characters and the effectiveness of the current filmmaking team in bringing their stories to life on the big screen.