Nintendo announced today that its animated 2023 smash hit Super Mario Bros. Movie will indeed get a sequel: In a Nintendo Switch Direct live stream, the video game company revealed that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will be coming to the big screen as soon as next spring.
The announcement was preceded by classic artwork featuring the mustachioed plumber before Nintendo game director Shigeru Miyamoto opened the show, revealing a first look at the upcoming sequel.
In an accompanying trailer, we see Mario napping under a tree as the camera glides down a river, ultimately rising to show the Mushroom Kingdom, where we see a stained glass portrait of Princess Peach. The camera then shifts focus toward the stars, giving fans a glimpse of the film’s logo.
The film marks another collaboration between Nintendo and animation studio Illumination. Miyamoto teased that the film will feature Mario and pals’ adventures in space, adding that the movie will serve as the “main event” for the game series’ 40th anniversary. The film’s co-producer, Chris Meledandri, Illumination founder and CEO, also hyped up the studio’s second team up with Nintendo.
“As we celebrate Mario‘s 40th anniversary, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the four decades of creativity, imagination, and adventure that Mario has brought to life for fans across generations and around the world. From its groundbreaking world-building to its iconic characters and unforgettable music, the Super Mario Bros. have left a lasting impact on the very fabric of our culture,” Meledandri said.
“All of us at Illumination feel so fortunate to continue our collaboration with Nintendo as we expand the life of Mario in movies,” he added.
“And while The Super Mario Galaxy games are the core inspiration for our story, this next film holds surprises for fans of every Mario Era, “Meledandri Teased.
Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath will direct The Super Mario Galaxy Movieand the film will see the return of Chris Pratt as Mario, Ana Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, and Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek.
According to Nintendo’s official press release, additional characters and voice cast members will be announced at a later date. Miyamoto closed out The Super Mario Galaxy Movie announcement by assuring fans that he would continue to contribute to the film’s production.
The announcement came shortly after internet sleuths caught wind that NBC and Universal had registered a trademark for “Super Mario Galaxy,” which gaming outlets reported may be for the film days before Nintendo announced it would have its Direct on September 10.
Doubling down on the Mario-led Direct, Nintendo also announced that Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 remakes will also be coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 2.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will release on April 3, 2026, in the US and in Japan on April 24, 2026.
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