Super Mario Bros. 2’ Officially Titled The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
In a much-anticipated reveal, Nintendo and Illumination have confirmed that the sequel to the hit 2023 film The Super Mario Bros. Movie will be titled The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
What We Know So Far
- The official announcement came during a recent Nintendo Direct broadcast, which marked part of the 40th anniversary of the Mario franchise. The release date is set for April 3, 2026, in the United States and many other territories. In Japan, it is slated to open on April 24, 2026, with additional global rollouts continuing through that month
- Returning Cast and Creative Team
Fans of the first film can breathe a sigh of relief — several of the original cast members will reprise their roles:
- Chris Pratt returns as Mario Anya Taylor-Joy is back as Princess Peach Charlie Day will again voice Luigi Jack Black returns as Bowser Keegan‑Michael Key (Toad) and Kevin Michael Richardson (Kamek) also reprise their roles On the production side, directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic will helm the sequel again. Matthew Fogel is the returned screenwriter
Inspiration and Teaser
True to its name, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie draws its core concept from Nintendo’s 2007 game Super Mario Galaxy. The teaser offers hints of what’s to come:
- It opens with Mario resting under a tree in the Mushroom Kingdom. A butterfly flutters past familiar landscapes — including Princess Peach’s castle — before ascending into space, where the title card appears. Though the teaser doesn’t yet show Mario or the crew in space, the visuals and the Galaxy-inspired theme music make clear the film’s direction. Why It Matters
- The first film was a major box office success, grossing over US$1.3 billion worldwide, and becoming one of the highest‑earning animated films ever.
- Super Mario Galaxy remains one of the most beloved entries in the Mario game canon. By basing the sequel on that game, the film promises both nostalgia and vast new visuals. The release aligns with the 40th anniversary of Mario, which means fans can expect special elements, callbacks, or surprises drawn from Mario’s long and rich history