Hold on. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie does not hit theaters until April 1, 2026, which means this is not a traditional review. Nobody has seen it yet. What it is instead is the most complete guide to everything we know right now: the cast, the plot, the trailers, the fan reaction, and whether this has the makings of something that can match the $1.36 billion the first film earned in 2023. Based on what we have seen so far, the answer looks like yes.
What Is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie About?
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie plot picks up after the events of The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023). Bowser has been defeated and shrunk by Peach using a Mini Mushroom, and he is being held captive. His son, Bowser Jr., is not happy about this. He wants his father back, his family legacy restored, and control of the universe while he is at it.
Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad travel into outer space to stop him, picking up new ally Yoshi along the way and crossing paths with Rosalina, a cosmic princess who watches over the stars from her observatory. The film draws heavily from the beloved 2007 Wii game Super Mario Galaxy and its 2010 sequel, both of which are widely considered among the greatest video games ever made. If the story captures even half the wonder of those games, it has the material for something genuinely special.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Cast and Voice Performances
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie cast brings back every major player from 2023. Chris Pratt returns as Mario, Charlie Day as the lovably anxious Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Jack Black as a now-miniaturized Bowser trying to maintain his menace at a greatly reduced size, and Keegan-Michael Key as Toad. Kevin Michael Richardson is back as Kamek. The returning ensemble worked well together in the first film, and the trailers suggest strong chemistry between them again.
The two major additions are Brie Larson as Rosalina and Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr. Larson, who described the role as a "dream come true" in a November 2025 announcement, brings a warmth and otherworldly calm to Rosalina in the trailers that fits the character well. Safdie, fresh off Oppenheimer, is an interesting and unexpected casting choice for Bowser Jr., and the early glimpses suggest he is leaning into the character's bratty entitlement with real energy. Brian Blessed voices Yoshi, whose communication is limited to gleeful squeaks, which may be the finest casting decision in animation history.
Direction, Visuals, and Score
Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic return to direct, and based on the trailers, the visual scope has expanded dramatically from the first film. Where The Super Mario Bros. Movie kept things relatively grounded in recognizable franchise locations, this one sends the characters across cosmic worlds with entirely new visual language: floating space observatories, gravity-defying planetoids, and deep-space color palettes that look significantly more ambitious than Illumination's typical aesthetic.
Brian Tyler also returns to compose the score. His work on the first film was one of its most underrated elements, and the music in the trailers suggests a broader, more orchestral approach this time out. The production team is the same on every level, which is a deliberate choice by Nintendo and Illumination. They are not fixing what worked. They are expanding it. Shigeru Miyamoto himself, the creator of Mario, is producing alongside Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri.
What People Are Saying About The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Fan reaction to the trailers has been extremely positive across Reddit, YouTube, and social media. The reveal of Yoshi in the second trailer sent gaming communities into a frenzy, with the character's design widely described as faithful and adorable. Nintendo confirmed a final trailer on Monday March 9, 2026, via a dedicated Nintendo Direct, suggesting the studio is confident enough in the marketing push to give it full broadcast treatment in the final weeks before release.
Chris Pratt has confirmed in interviews that several surprise Nintendo characters will appear that have not yet been revealed in the trailers, and a recent new poster confirmed appearances by Birdo, Wart (the villain from Super Mario Bros. 2), and a mystery character fans are still trying to identify. The energy around this film is notably higher than pre-release buzz for the 2023 original. The first Super Mario Bros. Movie was underestimated before release and then earned over $1.36 billion. The Galaxy sequel arrives with expectations already sky-high. For more on what is coming to theaters this season, check out our guide to the biggest movie release dates of 2026 for the full picture.
Is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Worth Watching?
Is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie worth watching? Based entirely on pre-release evidence, yes, absolutely. This is one of the most anticipated family films of 2026, and the combination of a beloved source game, an expanded cast of major new characters, and a creative team that delivered $1.36 billion worth of goodwill in 2023 makes this a very strong bet. If you have children, this is a theater trip on day one, no question. If you loved the first film or the Galaxy games, same answer.
If you are someone who has never played a Mario game and bounced off the 2023 film, this is unlikely to change your mind. The appeal is inseparable from the franchise love. But for everyone else, April 1 is the date to circle on your calendar. For comparison, you might want to revisit our review of The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) before the sequel arrives to freshen up on where the story left off.
Where to Watch The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a theatrical-only release opening in the United States on April 1, 2026, via Universal Pictures. There is no streaming or VOD release date announced. Based on the 2023 film's timeline, it took approximately 45 days from theatrical release to hit Peacock as its home streaming platform, and it is now available on Netflix in many international markets. Expect a similar rollout for the sequel. Until then, theaters are your only option. If you want to catch up before the sequel, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is currently streaming on Netflix in most regions. For our complete guide to the best animated films available to stream right now, our animated movies streaming guide has everything you need.
Everything points toward a film that knows exactly what it needs to be. The team behind it earned the trust in 2023, the trailers are the best possible advertisement for what is coming, and the source material gives this sequel more emotional depth to work with than the first film had. April 1 cannot come fast enough.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)
When does The Super Mario Galaxy Movie come out? The Super Mario Galaxy Movie releases in theaters in the United States on April 1, 2026. The Japan release follows on April 24, 2026, with other international markets throughout April and May 2026.
Who is in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie cast? The film stars Chris Pratt (Mario), Anya Taylor-Joy (Princess Peach), Charlie Day (Luigi), Jack Black (Bowser), Keegan-Michael Key (Toad), Brie Larson (Rosalina), Benny Safdie (Bowser Jr.), Kevin Michael Richardson (Kamek), and Brian Blessed (Yoshi).
Is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie a sequel? Yes. It is the direct sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), which earned over $1.36 billion worldwide. The same directors, writer, composer, and producers all returned for this film.
What is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie based on? The film is primarily inspired by Super Mario Galaxy (2007) and Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010), both originally released for the Nintendo Wii. Both games are widely considered among the best video games ever made and are notable for their emotional depth alongside their innovative gameplay.
Who voices Yoshi in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie? Yoshi is voiced by Brian Blessed, the legendary British actor known for his booming voice. The character communicates primarily through squeaks and excited sounds rather than words, making it one of the more playful casting choices in the film.
Will The Super Mario Galaxy Movie be on Netflix or Peacock? No streaming date has been confirmed yet. Based on the 2023 film's release pattern, a Peacock streaming premiere approximately 45 days after the theatrical opening is likely. International Netflix availability typically follows a few months after that.
How long is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie? The runtime is 1 hour and 38 minutes, making it slightly shorter than the first film and a very comfortable length for younger audiences.
Is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie rated PG? Yes. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is rated PG, consistent with the first film's rating.
Who are the villains in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie? The primary villain is Bowser Jr., voiced by Benny Safdie, who wants to free his imprisoned father Bowser and take over the universe. A new poster also confirmed appearances by Birdo and Wart, the villain from Super Mario Bros. 2. Additional surprise characters have been teased but not yet officially announced.
Is there a post-credits scene in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie? No information about a post-credits scene has been officially confirmed. However, the 2023 film featured one that teased Yoshi, so it is very likely that the sequel will include a similar tease for future films in the Nintendo Cinematic Universe, which also includes an upcoming live-action Legend of Zelda movie.
