The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Just Became the First $1 Billion Hit of 2026 — And It's Not Slowing Down

Move over, every other movie in 2026 — Mario and Luigi have officially claimed the throne. After nine weekends in theaters, Universal and Illumination's The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office, making it the first film released in 2026 to hit that milestone.

A Galactic Box Office Achievement

The numbers tell the story: $428.5 million domestically and $571.5 million internationally, adding up to a cool billion. While it won't quite reach the astronomical $1.36 billion earned by its predecessor, The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), this sequel has proven that the world's most famous plumber isn't going anywhere.

The film's staying power is remarkable. Nine weekends in theaters and still pulling in audiences — that's the kind of legs most studios dream of. Universal and Illumination clearly struck gold again with Nintendo's beloved franchise, and the Mario series now sits comfortably among the top 10 highest-grossing animated franchises of all time, alongside Illumination's own Despicable Me series.

What's in the Cast — And What's Next

The voice cast brought serious star power to the Mushroom Kingdom. Chris Pratt returned as Mario, with Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach, Jack Black as Bowser, and Charlie Day as Luigi. The sequel also introduced fresh voices including Brie Larson, Donald Glover, and Benny Safdie in new roles. One notable absence? Seth Rogen's Donkey Kong, whose no-show has sparked rumors of a potential spin-off in development at Illumination — possibly targeting a 2028 release.

But Mario isn't the only contender eyeing billion-dollar glory this year. Lionsgate's Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic distributed internationally by Universal, is closing in on $900 million after seven weekends and could cross $1 billion with its upcoming Japan release. If it does, Michael would become the first biopic ever to hit that mark.

The Summer Billion-Dollar Race Heats Up

The 2026 box office is shaping up to be a historic one. Disney/Pixar's Toy Story 5 is projected for a massive $170 million-plus domestic opening, and Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey — his epic adaptation releasing this summer — could become the director's first billion-dollar hit outside The Dark Knight trilogy. (Fun fact: Nolan's Oppenheimer came agonizingly close at $975 million in 2023.)

For now, though, the crown belongs to Mario. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is currently available on digital platforms if you missed it in theaters, and honestly? It's worth every penny of that billion-dollar hype.