Super Mario World Movie Announced: Title and Release Date for Nintendo’s Animated Sequel Revealed
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Published on: May 14, 2025
Description
Nintendo and Illumination, in partnership with Universal Pictures, have officially revealed the title and release date for their much-anticipated follow-up to the 2023 global hit, The Super Mario Bros.
Movie.
The sequel is set to be titled Super Mario World, in homage to the classic Super Nintendo title that captivated gamers worldwide in the early 1990s.
The announcement affirms the ongoing collaboration between Nintendo, Illumination, and Universal Pictures, building on the massive success and enduring popularity of Mario as a franchise.
Super Mario World is currently slated for release in U.S.
theaters on April 3, 2026.
This information was confirmed by NBCUniversal, who are distributing the film.
While the official date gives fans a clear window to anticipate the movie’s debut, NBCUniversal notes that the title remains subject to change as production advances.
The chosen name, Super Mario World, clearly draws inspiration from the celebrated platformer first launched for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in the early ’90s.
That game is renowned for its innovation, level design, and the debut of beloved series character Yoshi, whose appearance was recently teased by the film’s production team.
Fans are already speculating about the extent to which the new movie will incorporate elements or references from its gaming namesake, given the strong brand recognition and nostalgia attached to the original release.
Reflecting on Nintendo’s cinematic ambitions, Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Mario and producer on the movie, provided insight last March when he introduced preliminary plans for a new Mario film project.
He stated, 'We’re looking to broaden Mario’s world further, creating a storyline that’s bright, fun, and accessible to a wide audience.
We hope everyone is excited for what’s in store.' This statement underscores Nintendo’s commitment to retaining the series’ approachable and joyful tone while expanding its universe for both new and returning audiences.
Super Mario Bros.
Movie, produced in a pioneering partnership between Illumination and Nintendo, surpassed box office expectations and quickly became one of the highest-grossing animated films in history.
The upcoming Super Mario World movie is poised to further cement Mario’s status as an entertainment icon, offering expanded storytelling that resonates beyond gaming and into mainstream pop culture.
Following the Super Mario World movie, Nintendo and Universal have confirmed plans for a live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda series.
This signals Nintendo’s ambition to establish a robust presence in film, leveraging its extensive library of IP beyond its home platforms like Nintendo Switch and classic hardware.
For fans eagerly awaiting the next adventure, Super Mario World promises to transport audiences back to the Mushroom Kingdom in 2026—with plenty of surprises and nods to classic Nintendo experiences along the way.
