Movies - The Super Mario Galaxy Movie : the Super Bowl teaser launches Mario into a cosmic new era

By Mulder, 09 february 2026

Revealed to a massive global audience during the Super Bowl, the new teaser for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie marks a decisive turning point for Nintendo’s cinematic ambitions, pushing its most iconic hero far beyond the familiar bricks and pipes of the Mushroom Kingdom and straight into the cosmos, a move that feels both spectacularly logical and quietly daring. Broadcast during one of the most expensive advertising slots in the world, the teaser immediately framed the sequel as a true event movie, leaning heavily into scale, verticality, and a sense of cosmic wonder that longtime players instantly associate with the 2007 Nintendo classic Super Mario Galaxy. Distributed worldwide by Universal Pictures, the film is officially set for release in the United States on April 1, 2026, before expanding to select international territories throughout April, with a confirmed Japanese release date of April 24, 2026, underscoring the franchise’s global pull and Nintendo’s careful, territory-by-territory rollout strategy.

This sequel arrives with enormous expectations, and not without reason, as The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) remains the third highest-grossing animated film of all time worldwide, with a staggering $1.36 billion at the global box office, including a $166.4 million U.S. opening over Easter weekend, the second-best three-day Easter opening ever behind Batman v. Superman. According to verified industry reporting, the film ultimately generated approximately $559 million in profit after downstream revenues, a figure that effectively validated Shigeru Miyamoto and Chris Meledandri’s long-term vision of expanding Nintendo’s intellectual properties into cinema. Announced officially in March 2024, the sequel reunites directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, working from a screenplay by Matthew Fogel, reinforcing a creative continuity that was crucial in reassuring fans and investors alike after the first film’s success.

What makes The Super Mario Galaxy Movie particularly fascinating is how openly it embraces the more expansive and emotionally resonant side of Mario lore, something Nintendo historically approached with caution. Inspired directly by the 2007 Nintendo game Super Mario Galaxy, the film’s narrative shifts the franchise from a grounded, kingdom-based adventure into something far more mythic and universal, with galaxies, cosmic guardians, and existential stakes woven into its colorful fabric. The official synopsis confirms that beyond the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi travel across galaxies alongside Rosalina to stop Bowser Jr., whose attempt to save his father threatens the balance of the universe itself, a premise that subtly echoes the original game’s themes of legacy, guardianship, and quiet sacrifice, elements that surprised players nearly two decades ago and helped cement Super Mario Galaxy as one of the most beloved entries in the franchise.

The teaser itself leans heavily into this tonal shift, favoring sweeping shots of spiral galaxies, fragmented planetoids, and gravity-defying action over overt comedy, while still retaining the playful energy that defines Mario’s world. Rosalina’s presence is immediately positioned as central rather than ornamental, suggesting that the film is not merely borrowing her aesthetic but genuinely integrating her narrative role as a cosmic guardian. This creative choice feels especially meaningful given that Rosalina, in the games, represented a rare moment of quiet melancholy and emotional depth in a traditionally lighthearted series, and early footage hints that the filmmakers are respecting that legacy rather than flattening it for broad appeal.

The voice cast once again blends continuity with strategic expansion, reinforcing the idea that this sequel aims to feel both familiar and larger in scope. Chris Pratt returns as Mario, while Charlie Day reprises Luigi, maintaining the fraternal dynamic that anchored the first film emotionally. Anya Taylor-Joy is back as Princess Peach, whose proactive, leadership-driven portrayal was one of the most praised aspects of the 2023 film, and Keegan-Michael Key once again voices Toad, ensuring comedic continuity. Jack Black returns as Bowser, a performance that became an unexpected pop culture phenomenon, while Kevin Michael Richardson reprises Kamek. New additions include Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr., introducing a generational emotional angle to the villain’s storyline, and Brie Larson as Rosalina, a casting choice that resonated strongly with fans after Larson previously cited Super Mario Galaxy as one of her favorite games, lending the role an extra layer of authenticity.

Behind the scenes, production reflects Nintendo and Illumination’s increasingly international outlook, with animation handled by Illumination Studios Paris in France, a key hub in the studio’s global production pipeline. Animation was officially completed in November 2025, with post-production confirmed in early January 2026, and the musical score once again entrusted to Brian Tyler, who returns with a full orchestral approach featuring re-recorded themes from the original Super Mario Galaxy soundtrack, a decision that carries significant emotional weight given how iconic that music remains among fans. Confirmed formats include RealD 3D and IMAX, positioning the film not merely as family entertainment, but as a full-scale theatrical experience designed to showcase its cosmic visuals.

Ultimately, the Super Bowl teaser doesn’t just promote a sequel, it quietly signals a shift in philosophy, presenting The Super Mario Galaxy Movie as a cornerstone in Nintendo’s emerging cinematic universe rather than a one-off follow-up. By choosing Super Mario Galaxy as its foundation, Nintendo and Illumination appear ready to embrace the franchise’s most ambitious, emotionally textured material, inviting both longtime fans and new audiences to rediscover Mario not just as a mascot, but as a hero capable of carrying stories on a truly universal scale, reminding everyone that even after nearly four decades, there are still entire galaxies left to explore.

Synopsis :
Beyond the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi travel across galaxies alongside Rosalina to stop Bowser Jr., whose attempt to save his father threatens the balance of the universe. The universe needs heroes.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Directed by Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic
Written by Matthew Fogel
Based on Mario and Super Mario Galaxy by Nintendo
Produced by Chris Meledandri, Shigeru Miyamoto
Starring Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Benny Safdie, Kevin Michael Richardson, Brie Larson
Music by Brian Tyler
Production companies : Illumination, Nintendo
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date : April 1, 2026 (United States)
Running time : NC