The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — Release Date: April 3, 2026.
Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, written by Matthew Fogel, the film continues Nintendo and Illumination’s animated Mario universe as a sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023). Produced by Illumination and Nintendo, and distributed by Universal Pictures, the film expands the franchise beyond the Mushroom Kingdom — taking Mario and his companions into cosmic worlds inspired by the 2007 game Super Mario Galaxy. Chris Pratt returns as Mario alongside Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key and Kevin Michael Richardson, with Benny Safdie and Brie Larson joining the ensemble.

In this new chapter, Mario and Luigi are once again thrust into heroism when galactic forces threaten peace across worlds. Their adventure stretches beyond familiar pipes and castles, moving into zero-gravity puzzles, star-studded realms, and cosmic landscapes where planets themselves become levels. Princess Peach and Toad join the brothers aboard star-pathways that spiral across space, suggesting Luma, galaxies, and cosmic allies may enter the storyline as guiding forces, even if not yet officially revealed. Bowser, still recovering from his downfall, faces a new generational dynamic with Bowser Jr. stepping in — setting up a narrative of legacy, rivalry, and chaotic father-son ambition. With Bowser Jr. at the helm of a galactic threat, Mario must adapt to unfamiliar terrain and space physics while maintaining the series’ humour, power-ups, teamwork and colourful game-logic.

The film aims to blend platform-era nostalgia with cinematic scale — shifting the franchise from mushroom-world adventure into cosmic fantasy. Illumination’s visual style, combined with Nintendo’s worldbuilding, positions this instalment as a key expansion of Mario’s theatrical universe, introducing higher stakes, new environments and potential character arcs that evolve the ensemble after the success of the first film.

Set for release in RealD 3D and IMAX formats, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is shaping up as a major animated event for 2026, appealing to long-time fans and younger audiences discovering the galaxy for the first time.