The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Officially Announced at Nintendo Direct

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Nintendo has officially revealed the sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, confirming that it will be titled The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and is set to release on April 3, 2026.

A Sequel to a Record-Breaking Film

When The Super Mario Bros. Movie debuted in 2023, it was nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. The film quickly became the highest-grossing video game adaptation in history (grossing over $1.36 billion worldwide) and even broke records for the biggest opening of any animated film ($375M). Universal Pictures and Illumination had struck gold, and it didn’t take long before a sequel was greenlit.

Now, during the September 12 Nintendo Direct — timed ahead of Mario’s 40th anniversary — fans finally got confirmation of what’s next. The sequel officially carries the title The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, directly inspired by the critically acclaimed Nintendo Wii games.

Cast and Creative Team Returning

Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto appeared during the presentation to reveal that the original cast is back. That means Chris Pratt (Mario), Anya Taylor-Joy (Princess Peach), Charlie Day (Luigi), Jack Black (Bowser), Keegan-Michael Key (Toad), and Kevin Michael Richardson (Kamek) are all reprising their roles.

Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who helmed the first film, are also returning. Composer Brian Tyler will once again score the movie, with Illumination’s Chris Meledandri promising a mix of classic Mario themes and fresh compositions.

One notable absence from the announcement was Seth Rogen’s Donkey Kong. Although rumors of a spin-off film have circulated for some time, no confirmation was provided during the event.

First Teaser and Inspiration

Fans also got a short teaser trailer. Watch below:

As the name suggests, the sequel takes heavy inspiration from Super Mario Galaxy and its beloved follow-up. The Wii titles saw Mario traveling across planets in a cosmic battle against Bowser, and they remain among the most celebrated entries in the franchise. According to Meledandri, while Galaxy is the “core inspiration,” the movie will include nods and surprises for fans of every Mario era.

During the reveal, Meledandri reflected on Mario’s cultural impact, calling the franchise a celebration of “four decades of creativity, imagination, and adventure.” He emphasized Illumination’s commitment to honoring that legacy while expanding Mario’s presence in film.

Miyamoto also confirmed his direct involvement in production, noting that he’s personally enjoying the process.