Game On: Universal Sets 2028 for Nintendo's Next Animated Adventure

If you thought 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie was a fluke, Universal and Illumination are here to prove the Mushroom Kingdom has legs. Not even a third of the way into the new year, they dropped the much-anticipated The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, cranking up the animated spectacle (and, let's be honest, the cross-promotion) to a new level. This sequel doesn’t just offer more of the same—it goes bigger, adds new Nintendo faces, and basically says "Yeah, let’s lean into the weird, wonderful universe." And audiences are clearly on board.

Box Office Power-Up

Whatever critics are grumbling about, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has been an unqualified hit. It kicked off 2026 with the year’s largest opening weekend: over $131 million worldwide out of the gate. It’s still topping 2026’s box office charts, coasting past $830 million and, unless something insane happens, it’ll hold the title for the biggest movie of the year. If you’re counting, the first two Mario movies have hauled in almost $2.2 billion globally—both landing in the top 30 all-time animated earners. Not bad for a pair of plumbers.

Critics vs. Cash

So here’s the thing: Galaxy didn’t win over every reviewer, but the bank says people are showing up anyway. The numbers basically put Illumination and Nintendo in 'What sequel?' mode—of course there will be more.

The Next Level?

Now for the interesting part. Universal Pictures International Spain just dropped a press release sneaking a date onto calendars for April 12, 2028—calling it an "Untitled Illumination/Nintendo Event Film." If you think that’s something other than a Mario movie, I’ve got a castle to sell you. The timing and the studio are dead giveaways.

But if you like a good breadcrumb trail, there was a key addition in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie—Glen Powell voices Fox McCloud from Nintendo’s Star Fox series. For anyone who’s played the Super Smash Bros. games, Fox is a big deal. His cameo feels like more than just a wink; it’s a neon sign that says, 'Get ready, everyone’s coming to play.'

'Suddenly Fox McCloud is in the mix, and Smash Bros. fans have to be thinking... are we about to get a Nintendo Cinematic Universe?'

All signs point to Illumination building toward a movie that lets Mario, Donkey Kong, Pikachu, Link, Sonic, and the rest of Nintendo’s all-stars join the party—probably brawling in full multiverse glory à la Super Smash Bros.. If it happens, get ready for pop culture overload.

Who’s Who in Galaxy

• The movie got its official unveiling on Nintendo’s MAR10 Day (yes, that’s Mario Day, March 10) in 2024.
• Cast is stacked: Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black are back, and the new recruits pack in familiar Nintendo favorites.
• Glen Powell (yep, from Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You) steps in as Fox McCloud.

Still want to see it? The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is in theaters worldwide. If you want to catch up, the first film is streaming over on Peacock. Point is: Nintendo and Illumination just keep hitting that 1-Up, and, from the looks of it, the Mushroom Kingdom isn’t closing shop any time soon.