‘Mario Galaxy’ Posts Super $372.5 Million Opening, Just Shy Of Original Film’s Benchmark

Universal and Illumination’s The Super Mario Galaxy Movie closed out its first weekend with the largest debut of 2026, smashing through this year’s previous top figures like an 8-bit plumber through blocks of brick.

According to estimates, the Universal Pictures release launched to an estimated $130.9 million three-day domestic opening and a massive $190 million over the five-day holiday frame, nearing the high end of predictions from last week.

Globally, the Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath-directed feature powered up to roughly $372.5 million, the biggest worldwide debut of 2026 and one of the top five animated openings of all time. International territories accounted for $182.4 million, with the sequel outperforming the already huge overseas launch of its 2023 predecessor.

The film’s Easter holiday release strategy and strong family turnout helped it average nearly $30K per theater across more than 4,000 locations. It’s worth noting that much of that revenue came from lower-priced kids and family tickets, meaning the film’s overall admissions numbers would be even more impressive.

Nintendo and Illumination now share the rare distinction of producing two animated films with $350M+ global openings. While Mario’s launch fell just shy of the 2023 original’s record-setting debut, it still ranks among the biggest launches ever for a video game adaptation, a category the Mario brand continues to dominate, and looks likely to continue with other Nintendo properties related to the famous plumber.

Mario’s success has reinforced the importance of animation and kids-and-family content at the box office, following on the heels of Sony’s GOAT and Pixar’s Hoppers.

Daniel Chong’s Hoppers continued its solid run in the face of the Mario juggernaut, adding to its global total of $332.3 million so far. The film has demonstrated strong legs, but will be hard-pressed to catch up to Elemental’s $496 million lifetime box office, Pixar’s best since the pandemic.

And as for GOAT, while the film may be nearing the end of its impressive run, it ranks among the year’s top domestic earners to date. Having almost certainly proved profitable without digital releases and not counting merch, it’s clear Sony scored a win with the Tyree Dillihay-led feature.