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# Mario Shoots for the Stars With $372.5M Global Debut
- URL: https://www.zilck.com/mario-shoots-for-the-stars-with-372-5m-global-debut/
- Published: 2026-04-05T19:54:21.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-05T19:54:21.000Z
- Description: Love it or not, the plumber from Brooklyn is officially a superstar.
- Author: Zilck Team
- Tags: Movies & TV

Nintendo and Illumination's latest collaboration didn't just open — it *detonated*. *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie* earned **$130.9 million domestically in its opening weekend**, rocketing to a massive **$190.1 million over its first five days** in North America alone. Globally, the film pulled in an estimated [**$372.5 million**](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2026/04/05/super-mario-galaxy-movie-box-office/abf1dbfe-30ff-11f1-b85b-2cd751275c1d%5Fstory.html?ref=zilck.com) in its debut frame, making it the biggest Hollywood opening of 2026 so far. To put that in perspective, the previous domestic record-holder this year, *Project Hail Mary*, opened to $80.5 million — less than half of Mario's haul.

## The Story So Far

Picking up from 2023's [*The Super Mario Bros. Movie*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The%5FSuper%5FMario%5FGalaxy%5FMovie?ref=zilck.com), the sequel sends Mario (Chris Pratt), Luigi (Charlie Day), Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), and Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) on an intergalactic adventure after Bowser Jr. launches Peach's castle into outer space. Brie Larson joins the franchise as Rosalina, a fan-favorite character from the beloved 2007 Wii game. Perhaps the film's biggest crowd-pleaser is the surprise appearance of **Fox McCloud**, the Star Fox pilot voiced by Jack Glen, who whisks the group across the galaxy in his iconic Arwing. The 98-minute runtime moves at warp speed, for better or worse.

## Critics vs. Fans: The Divide Is Real

Let's be honest — critics are not loving this one. *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie* currently holds a [**44% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes**](https://cosmicbook.news/super-mario-galaxy-rotten-tomatoes-critics-score?ref=zilck.com), below the first film's already-modest 59%. *Variety* called it [*"frenetic and disappointing,"*](https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/the-super-mario-galaxy-movie-review-chris-pratt-jack-black-1236703239/?ref=zilck.com) arguing the film treats its story as a "threadbare adventure" too consumed with gaming references. The *New York Times* titled its review simply [**"It's-a Meh,"**](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/movies/the-super-mario-galaxy-movie-review.html?ref=zilck.com) noting the film never slows down enough to let audiences savor its best moments.

But audiences tell a completely different story. The film earned a scorching [**92% audience score**](https://cosmicbook.news/super-mario-galaxy-rotten-tomatoes-critics-score?ref=zilck.com) on Rotten Tomatoes and is "Verified Hot" at [**90% on the Popcornmeter**](https://www.facebook.com/movieclips/posts/audiences-say-the-super-mario-galaxy-movie-is-verified-hot-at-90-on-the-popcornm/1364324299062562/). A box office analyst summed it up perfectly: *"Kids love the movie*,*"* and their parents are buying the tickets.

## What Works (and What Doesn't)

Nintendo Life called it [*"a faithful but overstuffed sequel"*](https://www.nintendolife.com/features/movie-review-the-super-mario-galaxy-movie-a-faithful-but-overstuffed-sequel?ref=zilck.com) that *"dials up the action and spectacle significantly"* while never pausing to breathe. That breathlessness is both the film's greatest asset and its core flaw. The animation is undeniably gorgeous — a dazzling riot of color that pushes Illumination's visuals to a new level. However, critics consistently point out that character development, particularly for Rosalina, feels thin. [Rendy Reviews](https://www.rendyreviews.com/movie-reviews/the-super-mario-galaxy-movie-review?ref=zilck.com) noted that *"Rosalina is reduced to a MacGuffin rather than a character — a waste of Brie Larson's casting"*.

## The Bigger Picture: A Nintendo Cinematic Universe?

One thing is clear: Nintendo and Illumination are building something much larger than a movie franchise. Fox McCloud's appearance signals an expanding Nintendo universe, and a post-credits scene reportedly teases a third film. Whether *Super Mario Galaxy* sticks the landing narratively or not, it is cementing Mario as one of Hollywood's most bankable franchises — and a potential [**$1 billion earner**](https://nypost.com/2026/04/02/entertainment/super-mario-galaxy-movie-review-itll-make-1-billion-and-it-sucks/?ref=zilck.com) before all is said and done.

Love it or not, the plumber from Brooklyn is officially a superstar.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a3/28/a3280dcb-1c7d-4319-b381-3cd1a47b463a/content/images/2026/04/MV5BMDg5MjRkNWEtYmU1Mi00MTExLTk5MDQtY2RiMWVkZWNiOThjXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_FMjpg_UY2500_.jpg)

© Universal Pictures