The Super Mario Bros. Movie has officially crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office as its fourth weekend closes, making it the first movie of 2023 to achieve this milestone.

The film reached approximately $970 million internationally on Friday and was expected to surpass the billion-dollar mark by Sunday. This achievement will have taken only 26 days. The launch of the movie in markets like Japan and Korea this past week helped boost this figure.

Mario's big-screen animation debut has already set several milestones, including being crowned the biggest video game adaptation ever and becoming Illumination's third-biggest animation project.

Nintendo and Illumination suggest there's likely more to come, but both are currently focused on the success of the Mario Movie in cinemas around the globe.

Mario's success at the global box office highlights Illumination's reputation as an animation powerhouse. This is the third time the studio has delivered a billion-dollar hit while it has two other releases that have grossed more than $900 million. It also underscores the underserved children's demographic. As much as the surge of commercially successful R-rated films is a cause for celebration, companies shouldn't forget about kid's movies.

Super Mario Bros. Movie proves the point that December's Puss in Boots: The Last Wish by Dreamworks Animation tried to make when it grossed nearly $500 million despite sharing the spotlight with Avatar: The Way of Water throughout much of its theatrical run.

Illumination's take on the Italian plumber was and still is a certified hit that attracted kids looking for a colorful adventure and adults who want to revisit their childhoods.

After winning at the global box office, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is expected to add a few million to its global tally as it continues to screen in theaters until Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 takes over when it premieres on May 5. But, who knows? The Japanese and Korean markets might surprise audiences after word of mouth gets out locally that it's an excellent animated film. After all, it's not like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is poised to deliver on all expectations.