A Billion-Dollar Orbit
As of this weekend, the Illumination and Universal co-production has earned approximately $428.5 million domestically and $571.5 million internationally, according to Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter. The film, which opened in U.S. theaters on April 1, reached $1 billion after a steady theatrical run that saw it crowned the highest-grossing release of the year within its first three weeks. deadline.com deadline.com hollywoodreporter.com deadline.com
“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” was produced on a budget of roughly $110 million, modest by animated blockbuster standards, positioning it for substantial profitability. Variety reported that the film now leads the 2026 box office ahead of Lionsgate’s “Michael,” Amazon MGM Studios’ “Project Hail Mary,” and Disney’s “The Devil Wears Prada 2.” variety.com instagram.com
Franchise Power
The milestone pushes the Super Mario animated franchise past $2 billion in cumulative global earnings, making it the ninth-largest animated franchise worldwide, according to Deadline. The first installment, 2023’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” earned $1.36 billion during its theatrical run. While the sequel is unlikely to match that total, it has demonstrated the enduring commercial appeal of one of gaming’s most recognizable characters. thewrap.com hollywoodreporter.com deadline.com variety.com
The billion-dollar mark also represents a third top-ten animated franchise entry for producer Chris Meledandri, whose Illumination studio has built a track record of high returns on relatively lean budgets. deadline.com
What’s Next
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s run arrives at a moment when video game adaptations have become a reliable pipeline for studios. With two billion-dollar Mario films now on the books, attention will turn to whether Nintendo and Universal extend the partnership further. For now, the franchise has earned its place among animation’s elite earners — and the global box office’s most consistent performers.
