Super Mario Galaxy Movie Opens with $188.6 Million in U.S. and $371 Million Globally

The Hollywood Reporter reported that the Super Mario Galaxy Movie is expected to achieve a global opening of $370.7 million from 80 markets, making it the biggest Hollywood film debut of 2026 so far. This includes a domestic opening estimate of $188.6 million, with a three-day weekend gross of $129.4 million.

The film is a sequel to the 2023 Mario Bros. Movie, which had a five-day domestic debut of $204 million.

Domestically, the Super Mario Galaxy Movie is projected to rank among the top openings for the Easter period, not adjusted for inflation. It is expected to secure the third-largest three-day domestic opening for a video game adaptation, behind A Minecraft Movie and the original Super Mario film.

Overseas, the film is anticipated to earn an estimated $182 million in its foreign opening, including previews.

In terms of global performance, The Hollywood Reporter noted that Super Mario Galaxy Movie is on track for the biggest worldwide opening for an animated film, ranking fourth among all Hollywood titles alongside films like Zootopia 2 and Moana 2. It also represents Universal's fifth-biggest global opening, following the original Super Mario film.

Additionally, it is the second-largest global opening for a video game adaptation, behind the first Super Mario movie.

The film achieved several domestic milestones, including the biggest three-day opening of 2026, surpassing Project Hail Mary. It marks the largest five-day domestic launch since Disney's Moana 2 and is one of the few animated franchises with multiple films opening over $100 million in a three-day weekend, alongside series like Shrek and Toy Story.

The Hollywood Reporter indicated that the movie received an A CinemaScore from audiences, despite mixed critical reception.

Beyond Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling, is in its third weekend and expected to earn $32.6 million from 3,902 cinemas, bringing its domestic total to $219.1 million. This represents a 40 percent drop from the previous weekend and marks Amazon MGM's first major theatrical success.

Meanwhile, The Drama, featuring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, is projected to open in third place with over $13 million from 3,097 locations, earning a B CinemaScore.

Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a collaboration between Universal's Illumination studio and Nintendo, adapting the family-friendly video game series. , in a galaxy-spanning adventure that introduces Princess Rosalina and Yoshi. This sequel builds on the original 2023 film's success, which grossed $1.36 billion globally and established a new franchise for the partners.

Looking ahead, the box office performance of these films could influence future releases in the animated and video game adaptation genres. The strong opening for Super Mario Galaxy Movie may encourage more investments in family-oriented content, while the results for Project Hail Mary and The Drama highlight ongoing interest in star-driven projects.

Final numbers for the weekend are expected to be updated, providing more precise data on these trends.