Super Mario Galaxy Movie Secures Second $350m+ Global Launch, Sets New Animated Franchise Record

Super Mario Galaxy Movie earned $372.5 million globally in its first five days, making Super Mario the only animated film series with two movies opening to more than $350 million worldwide. No other animated franchise has achieved this milestone.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s global debut reached $372.5 million from its five-day opening, according to Deadline. With this performance, Universal and Illumination have broken new ground for animated franchises: Super Mario is now the first to see two titles exceed $350 million on global opening weekends. The studio released the film on April 1, 2026, on a reported $110 million production budget, and by Sunday, 6 April, the box office tally had already set the benchmark for the year’s largest worldwide opening.

While the Galaxy movie did not eclipse The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s debut, which grossed $387.8 million worldwide over the same interval, it’s close. Universal can claim both fourth and fifth place in its history books for the two Mario openings; Galaxy’s take is the fifth biggest global launch in Universal Pictures’ 113-year run.

Specifically, for keywords such as “Super Mario Galaxy Movie box office,” “Super Mario animated franchise record,” and “Universal Illumination animated hits,” the film’s standing is clear: this is Illumination’s second-biggest ever worldwide opening and the fourth highest for a US animated movie, ranking behind Zootopia 2, Moana 2, and the original Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Record-Breaking Box Office and Franchise Milestones

• Global Opening (Super Mario Galaxy Movie): $372.5 million (5-day estimate).
• Global Opening (Super Mario Bros. Movie): $387.8 million (5-day estimate).
• Production Budget: $110 million.
• Release Date: April 1, 2026.
• Universal’s biggest animated openings (all-time, global):
  • 1. Zootopia 2
  • 2. Moana 2
  • 3. The Super Mario Bros. Movie
  • 4. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
• Universal’s All-Time Biggest Global Openings (Any Genre): Galaxy ranks fifth.
• Domestic US 5-Day Opening: $190 million, making it the fourth-biggest five-day opening for the US market, behind Moana 2, The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

These facts position Super Mario as the most dominant animated movie franchise in terms of box office launches. Box Office Mojo and Deadline confirm: “Super Mario becomes the only animated movie series to open globally at more than $350 million twice.” Illumination now claims its two largest global launches with the Mario films, cementing Universal’s lead in animated blockbusters. Only three other animated titles (Zootopia 2, Moana 2, the original Mario) have ever posted higher five-day opening grosses.

Critical Response and Audience Reaction

The critical versus audience divide remains pronounced for the Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

• Rotten Tomatoes critics score: 42% (as of 6 April 2026).
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 89%.
• First film scores: 59% critics, 95% audience.

While critics remain mixed in their assessment, audiences are overwhelmingly positive, signalling the film is hitting its commercial targets. The review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes currently records a vast gap between critical and public reception, with the public rating standing at 89% and critics at just 42%. This is a step down from the first film’s 95% audience score and 59% critical score, but the core audience, Nintendo fans and families, continue to turn out in force.

VGC’s review of the film emphasises this dynamic, stating: “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is an action-packed visual spectacle with a loveable cast of characters and endless surprises for diehard fans.” The review notes recurring weaknesses, saying, “Largely, the same issues from the first movie remain – notably, a threadbare plot and rocket-powered pacing leaving characters disappointingly undeveloped – but Nintendo diehards and families are likely to have a stellar time.”

The review also concludes: “The film knows exactly what it is – big silly fun.” The film’s commercial appeal remains undimmed by critical remarks, with families and fans delivering another huge opening for Illumination and Universal.

Summary:

• Super Mario is the only animated movie franchise with two $350m+ global openings.
• Galaxy Movie’s $372.5m global debut is the fourth largest ever for a US animated film and fifth all-time for Universal.
• The audience reaction (89% Rotten Tomatoes) far outpaces critics’ approval (42%).
• Universal and Illumination have solidified their position as top animated box office leaders with back-to-back Mario hits.

This performance continues a trend of video game properties dominating the global box office. With Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Universal and Illumination have built a franchise that sets new standards for animated film success, both in revenue and audience loyalty.