Nintendo and Illumination have officially confirmed that the highly anticipated Super Mario Galaxy Movie is in production and set for release on April 3, 2026. Following the global success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023, which earned over $1.3 billion worldwide, this new space-themed sequel promises to take Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach beyond the Mushroom Kingdom—straight into the stars.
Table of Contents
Nintendo Expands Its Cinematic Universe
Nintendo’s collaboration with Illumination, the studio behind Despicable Me and Sing, has proven to be a massive success. After the record-breaking debut of the first Super Mario Bros. Movie, a sequel was inevitable—but fans were thrilled when Nintendo revealed that the follow-up would be inspired by the legendary Super Mario Galaxy game.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie marks Nintendo’s biggest film project to date. The movie will bring back the creative duo Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who directed the first film, ensuring continuity in tone and humor. Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto will once again serve as producer alongside Illumination founder Chris Meledandri.
According to Nintendo’s latest announcement, this new film will expand Mario’s story into the cosmos, introducing breathtaking visuals, new characters, and emotional depth inspired by the 2007 hit game.
Confirmed Cast for the Super Mario Galaxy Movie
The returning and new cast list has already generated major excitement among fans.
- Chris Pratt – Mario
- Anya Taylor-Joy – Princess Peach
- Charlie Day – Luigi
- Jack Black – Bowser
- Keegan-Michael Key – Toad
- Kevin Michael Richardson – Kamek
- Brie Larson – Rosalina (confirmed new addition)
- Benny Safdie – Bowser Jr.
The addition of Brie Larson as Rosalina has been met with enthusiastic response from fans. Rosalina, the guardian of the cosmos and caretaker of the Lumas, plays a central role in the Galaxy storyline. Her introduction signifies that the movie will likely explore deeper emotional and cosmic themes than the first installment.
The Story: From the Mushroom Kingdom to the Stars
While Nintendo and Illumination have not revealed the full plot, insiders familiar with production have confirmed that the Super Mario Galaxy Movie will take heavy inspiration from the original Super Mario Galaxy video game.
The film reportedly begins in the familiar Mushroom Kingdom but quickly transitions into an intergalactic adventure. When a mysterious cosmic threat emerges—possibly connected to Bowser’s return—Mario, Luigi, and Peach embark on a journey across galaxies to save the universe.
Along the way, they encounter Rosalina and the Lumas aboard the Comet Observatory. The movie’s central theme will revolve around teamwork, courage, and the emotional bond between characters as they navigate through strange new worlds.
What Makes This Movie Different
The Super Mario Galaxy franchise is known for its breathtaking visuals and emotional storytelling, and the movie aims to capture that same magic.
Key Highlights:
- Cinematic Scope: The film’s visual design is said to be “unlike anything seen in animation before,” with zero-gravity action sequences and vast galactic landscapes.
- New Worlds: Expect visually stunning planets based on the original game, each with unique environments, challenges, and creatures.
- Musical Score: The orchestral soundtrack from the Galaxy games will return, reimagined for the big screen by composer Brian Tyler, who scored the first Mario film.
- Character Depth: Rosalina’s backstory and her relationship with the Lumas will reportedly add emotional layers rarely seen in animated video game adaptations.
This ambitious approach marks a new chapter for Nintendo’s cinematic storytelling, expanding its animated universe much like Marvel’s expansion into interconnected narratives.
Release Timeline and Trailer Details
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is set to premiere in U.S. theaters on April 3, 2026. Nintendo has confirmed that the first official trailer will debut during a special Nintendo Direct event on November 12, 2025.
At this presentation, fans can expect the first full look at the animation style, snippets of the cosmic environments, and possibly the first audio clip of Brie Larson’s Rosalina.
Following the trailer, Illumination is expected to launch an extensive marketing campaign, including tie-in merchandise, LEGO sets, and collaborations with Nintendo’s ongoing theme park expansions in California and Florida.
Nintendo’s Expanding Film Universe
Nintendo’s recent strategy has focused on bringing its most iconic franchises to the big screen. Following the massive success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the company confirmed multiple projects under its Nintendo Pictures banner.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is the first of several upcoming films, with additional projects rumored to include adaptations of The Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong Country, and Luigi’s Mansion.
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa stated that the goal is to build a consistent release schedule for its films while maintaining the same creative quality that made its games beloved for decades.
Fan Reactions and Expectations
Since the announcement, social media has been flooded with fan theories and excitement. Many fans are speculating about which characters might make surprise appearances—such as Yoshi, Daisy, or even Wario.
Others are focused on how Illumination will handle the emotional tone of the story, especially given the depth of Rosalina’s lore and the ethereal nature of the Galaxy games.
Online fan polls show overwhelming anticipation, with over 90% of respondents calling this one of their most awaited animated films of 2026.
The Future of Mario on Film
If the Super Mario Galaxy Movie repeats or exceeds the success of its predecessor, it will cement Nintendo and Illumination as dominant forces in the animation industry. Analysts predict the film could surpass $1 billion globally, given the enormous built-in fanbase and cross-generational appeal.
Furthermore, this sequel could serve as a stepping stone toward a Super Smash Bros. cinematic universe, a dream scenario for fans of Nintendo’s franchises. While no official confirmation exists, producers have hinted at a “shared Nintendo universe” in future films.
Behind the Scenes: A Stellar Collaboration
Production for the Super Mario Galaxy Movie began in early 2024 at Illumination’s Paris studios. Nintendo’s creative teams in Tokyo have worked closely with the animation studio to ensure every aspect of the movie—down to character expressions and planetary designs—aligns with the spirit of the original games.
The creative synergy between Nintendo and Illumination was credited as a major factor in the success of the first film. Insiders have described this new collaboration as “more ambitious, more emotional, and visually groundbreaking.”
Final Thoughts
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie represents the next evolution of Nintendo’s storytelling—a bold leap from the Mushroom Kingdom to the cosmic unknown. With its stellar cast, breathtaking animation, and emotionally charged storylines, this movie could become one of the defining animated films of the decade.
As the countdown to its trailer debut begins, fans across the world are bracing for liftoff into an all-new adventure among the stars.
Are you ready to see Mario explore the galaxy? Share your excitement and predictions for the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie below and keep following for all the latest updates!
