Nintendo has finally lifted the curtain on the long-awaited sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and trust me, this is big. The sequel now has an official title — The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — and it’s blasting into theaters worldwide on April 3, 2026. If you loved the first film (and let’s be honest, $1.36 billion at the global box office proves millions of us did), then you’ll want to mark this date on your calendar right away.
A Galaxy-Sized Announcement at Nintendo Direct
The reveal came during the Nintendo Direct showcase on September 12, 2025, timed perfectly ahead of the franchise’s 40th anniversary celebrations. Nintendo and Illumination, the studio behind the first record-breaking movie, confirmed that the sequel will draw inspiration from the fan-favorite 2007 Wii game Super Mario Galaxy.
What really struck me — and fans watching live — was the way Nintendo teased the film. The short footage opened with Mario catching some shut-eye under a tree. Suddenly, a butterfly appears, floating past familiar Mushroom Kingdom landscapes. On its journey, we catch quick glimpses of Monty Mole digging underground, Cheep Cheeps splashing in a stream, and Toads rushing around Princess Peach’s castle. The final moment? The butterfly drifts past the castle, straight into the vastness of outer space — setting the stage for Mario’s biggest adventure yet.
Release Date Confirmed: April 3, 2026
Circle the date: April 3, 2026. That’s almost three years to the day since the first movie launched in April 2023. Timing-wise, it couldn’t be better — the sequel will arrive right as Mario mania surges again, fueled by Nintendo’s other big anniversary releases. Considering that The Super Mario Bros. Movie had the largest-ever opening weekend for an animated film ($377 million globally), expectations are sky-high for its successor.
Returning Cast Brings Back Fan Favorites
Yes, Chris Pratt is back as Mario. Nintendo confirmed the full voice cast lineup, and it’s loaded with star power:
- Chris Pratt as Mario
- Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach
- Charlie Day as Luigi
- Jack Black as Bowser
- Keegan-Michael Key as Toad
- Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek
This continuity is a big win. The chemistry between these characters helped the first film become such a phenomenon, and now we’re getting the same energy — only this time, across galaxies.
From Mushroom Kingdom to the Stars
If you played Super Mario Galaxy back in 2007, you already know the potential here. That game took Mario out of his usual stomping grounds and flung him across planets, galaxies, and even zero-gravity puzzles — all while trying to rescue Peach from Bowser’s latest intergalactic scheme. Along the way, Mario met a star-shaped companion named Luma and crossed paths with one of the most beloved characters in Mario lore: Rosalina.
Nintendo hasn’t officially confirmed how closely the film will stick to that storyline, but the teaser’s space transition makes one thing clear: Mario’s next cinematic adventure won’t be confined to the Mushroom Kingdom.
Super Mario Galaxy Returns on Switch and Switch 2
Now here’s where it gets even more exciting for fans. Nintendo didn’t just announce The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — it also revealed that Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are making a comeback. Both games will land on October 2, 2025, available as a combined physical edition or as individual digital downloads.
This re-release isn’t a simple port. We’re talking up to 4K support on Switch 2, updated UI, a brand-new in-game music player, and flexible controls (yes, you can finally choose between button/stick or motion controls). On top of that, Nintendo is adding fresh pages to Rosalina’s in-game storybook — a detail that instantly caught my attention. Could these extra story elements connect with the movie’s plot? Nintendo isn’t saying, but the timing feels way too perfect to be a coincidence.
Oh, and that’s not all. Two gorgeous new amiibo are launching alongside this celebration:
- Mario & Luma (scan for a Life Mushroom)
- Rosalina & Lumas (scan for a 1-Up Mushroom)
They’re set to release a little later, on April 2, 2026, almost syncing with the film’s theatrical debut. If you’re a collector, these are going to be must-haves.
Nintendo’s Growing Movie Universe
With Mario blasting off into the galaxy, Nintendo isn’t slowing down its cinematic expansion. Alongside this sequel, the company has already confirmed a Legend of Zelda movie, set for release on March 26, 2027 and directed by Wes Ball. Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth are on board as Zelda and Link, which means Nintendo is clearly committed to building a long-term movie universe for its iconic franchises.
Think about it: within just a few years, we’ll have The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and a Legend of Zelda adaptation — two of Nintendo’s crown jewels hitting the big screen. It’s an exciting time not just for gamers, but for cinema too.
Fans Are Already Buzzing
Social media lit up the moment the teaser dropped during Nintendo Direct. From screenshots of Mario dozing under the tree to wild theories about Rosalina’s storybook expansion, fans are dissecting every second of footage. Many are thrilled that Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black are reprising their roles, while others are already speculating about potential new characters (will we see Rosalina make her big-screen debut?).
The hype is real, and honestly, it feels justified. The first movie wasn’t just a hit — it redefined how Hollywood approaches video game adaptations. And now, with a galaxy-spanning adventure, Nintendo and Illumination are clearly aiming to push things even further.
Final Thoughts
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie arrives in theaters on April 3, 2026.
- Returning cast includes Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, and Kevin Michael Richardson.
- Nintendo is celebrating with the re-release of Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 on Switch and Switch 2 on October 2, 2025, plus new amiibo in 2026.
- The sequel draws direct inspiration from the 2007 classic game while teasing a much bigger cinematic world.
As someone who grew up with Mario and has followed this movie journey from day one, I can confidently say this: if you thought the Mushroom Kingdom was magical on the big screen, just wait until Mario takes us to the stars.
Stay tuned here on Earthtechy — we’ll keep you updated with every trailer, cast reveal, and Nintendo Direct detail leading up to the film’s release. 🚀✨
