The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Announced: Nintendo, Illumination, and Universal Set April 2026 Release

Nintendo, in partnership with Illumination and Universal Pictures, has officially unveiled "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," the eagerly awaited sequel to the global box office sensation, The Super Mario Bros.

Movie (2023).

The announcement came during the latest Nintendo Direct presentation and was accompanied by a brief teaser trailer, confirming an April 2026 theatrical release. The reveal follows recent speculation in the gaming community after it was discovered that NBC Universal registered the domain supermariogalaxy.movie on September 3.

This move mirrored Universal's previous approach with the first film, for which they used thesupermariobros.movie as the official website.

Now, the confirmation of the title and release date puts to rest all rumors, signaling the next cinematic adventure for Nintendo’s iconic plumber. The upcoming film draws aesthetic and narrative inspiration from the beloved Super Mario Galaxy series, first introduced on the Nintendo Wii.

However, the creative team has set expectations that the sequel will not simply retell those games’ stories.

Chris Meledandri, founder and CEO of Illumination as well as co-producer of "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," emphasized the breadth of the new project.

In a statement shared during the Nintendo Direct, Meledandri explained: "While the Super Mario Galaxy games are a central influence on our story, this sequel contains elements and surprises from across every era of Mario." Meledandri further highlighted that the Illumination team is committed to creating a film worthy of the franchise's storied legacy: "Our team is working diligently to craft a film that aspires to its place in Super Mario Bros.

history, which is exactly what we’re here to celebrate," he said.

Illumination previously achieved critical and commercial success with the first Super Mario Bros.

Movie, which grossed over $1.36 billion globally and became the highest-grossing video game adaptation of all time.

Universal’s continued involvement ensures wide international distribution and prominent positioning in the competitive animation market. As with the 2023 film, Nintendo will be closely involved in every phase of production to ensure authenticity and faithfulness to the Mario universe.

While specific plot details and casting updates remain under wraps, the reveal trailer teases a spacefaring adventure in the spirit of the Super Mario Galaxy games, suggesting that classic locations, power-ups, and familiar characters could feature extensively. Fans of Nintendo Switch and legacy Mario titles are eagerly anticipating further news from upcoming Nintendo Directs and official channels.

With The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Nintendo and its creative partners aim to expand their reach beyond consoles and the eShop, cementing Mario’s place not only in gaming but in contemporary pop culture and animation. "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" will debut in theaters worldwide in April 2026.

Stay tuned for additional updates as development progresses and more details emerge.

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