Mario is not done with Hollywood yet. After the wild success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023, Nintendo and Illumination are teaming up again for a brand-new adventure. This time, the mustached hero is heading beyond the Mushroom Kingdom in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which is officially scheduled to land in theaters on April 3, 2026.
Fans of the classic Wii game will immediately recognize the inspiration. The original Super Mario Galaxy turned heads back in 2007 for its imaginative levels, quirky planets, and unique gravity mechanics. Now Nintendo is ready to take that same cosmic charm and blow it up on the big screen.
Why This Movie Matters
This sequel is not just about cashing in on Mario’s popularity. Nintendo is also preparing to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. in 2025, and the movie feels like a centerpiece of those plans. By picking Galaxy as the theme, the company is reminding fans why Mario has been a household name for four decades.
For players who grew up with the Wii era, this feels like a nod to their childhood. For newer fans, it’s a chance to experience the wonder of Mario in space, even if they never touched the original games.
The Teaser Trailer Everyone’s Talking About
Nintendo dropped the first teaser during a Direct, and while it is short, it got people buzzing right away. The clip shows Mario lounging in the Mushroom Kingdom until a butterfly leads him upward. Suddenly, the camera pulls away to reveal the stars, hinting that this story will be a much bigger journey than before.
It is light on details, but the teaser tells us enough: Mario is leaving home, and the adventure is going cosmic. Fans are already speculating about which planets and game characters might show up, from the Lumas to the mysterious Rosalina.
The Cast Is Back
One of the strengths of the first Mario movie was the star-studded cast, and it looks like they are sticking around. Confirmed so far:
- Chris Pratt returning as Mario
- Charlie Day as Luigi
- Anya Taylor-Joy back as Peach
- Jack Black reprising his role as Bowser
- Keegan-Michael Key as Toad
- Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek
The directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic are also expected to be back, along with screenwriter Matthew Fogel. This consistency should help the sequel feel connected to the first film while still giving it space (literally) to grow.
What the Story Might Look Like
Nintendo is being tight-lipped, but the title gives us a pretty big clue. Just like the game, the story will likely take Mario and his friends beyond the Mushroom Kingdom to strange new worlds.
Some possibilities fans are hoping for:
- Rosalina stepping in as a new key character.
- Lumas becoming Mario’s quirky little helpers.
- Planets with their own unique looks and physics.
- Bowser stirring up trouble in a galactic-scale plot.
The first movie was simple and family-friendly, and the sequel will likely stick to that formula while opening the door to bigger, more spectacular set pieces.
Release Date and Where to Watch
Mark your calendars for April 3, 2026, when the Super Mario Galaxy Movie hits U.S. theaters. International dates may differ slightly, with some regions seeing the release later in April.
As for streaming, nothing official has been announced. But if the pattern from the first movie holds, it should appear on a major platform after its theatrical run, likely through Universal’s partners.
Nintendo’s Bigger Strategy
This movie isn’t happening in isolation. Nintendo is clearly expanding its brand outside of just games. The first Mario film crossed the billion-dollar mark worldwide, proving that fans want to see these characters outside of consoles.
The Galaxy movie also ties neatly into Nintendo’s rumored hardware plans. With talk of a new Switch console launching soon, the timing of the film, anniversary celebrations, and potential game re-releases looks very intentional. Mario remains Nintendo’s crown jewel, and the company is making sure he shines everywhere.
Why Galaxy Is the Perfect Choice
Nintendo could have based the sequel on any number of Mario titles, but Galaxy makes sense for a few reasons. First, it is one of the most beloved games in the series, still praised today for its creativity. Second, its outer space setting gives filmmakers plenty of room to expand visually, creating worlds unlike anything we saw in the first movie.
On top of that, Galaxy’s themes of exploration and discovery line up perfectly with the excitement of a sequel. Instead of repeating the same Mushroom Kingdom jokes, this movie can take us somewhere entirely new.
What Fans Are Hoping For
If you scroll through fan forums and social media, you’ll see plenty of wishlists. Some of the most common requests include:
- Rosalina and the Comet Observatory making a big-screen debut.
- Lumas becoming the next breakout characters.
- Returns to the original Galaxy soundtrack, which is still regarded as one of the franchise’s best.
- Fans felt Luigi and Peach were underutilized in the first movie, so they should have more time to shine.
The enthusiasm demonstrates how much people care about this project, even though it is still unclear if Nintendo will deliver on all of these.
What Comes Next
With the release date still more than a year away, expect Nintendo and Illumination to roll out updates gradually. We should see a full-length trailer in the coming months, along with posters and promotional art. Cast interviews and tie-in merchandise are almost guaranteed too.
Nintendo has been careful with how it markets its films, so fans will likely get a steady trickle of news leading up to 2026.
watch official title announcement below
Final Thoughts
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie feels like the right move at the right time. The first Mario film set the stage, but this sequel has the chance to take things much further. Between the returning cast, the cosmic setting, and the nostalgia tied to one of Nintendo’s most beloved games, the ingredients are all there for another blockbuster.
Whether you’re a longtime Mario fan or just looking for a fun family movie, this one should be on your radar. Until then, all we can do is wait for more trailers, more details, and the day Mario takes to the stars.
