With the undeniable success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which danced and sang its way into the hearts of audiences globally, accruing over $1 billion at the worldwide box office, it was only a matter of time before we got news of a sequel.
Nearly a year after it premiered, Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary creator of Mario, and Chris Meledandri, head of Illumination Entertainment, have unveiled that the wheels are in motion for a new movie set in the expansive universe of Super Mario.
Scheduled for release on April 3, 2026, the upcoming film promises to further explore a vibrant world inhabited by our favorite plumber and his companions.
This is Miyamoto. We are now creating a new animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros. This film is planned for release in theaters on April 3rd, 2026 in the US and many other markets, and throughout the month of April in other territories. [1/2]
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 10, 2024
Despite the lack of explicit details, the creative forces behind the first movie, including directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, are steering the ship once more, ensuring that the sequel – or rather, the next chapter – retains the original’s enchantment and vibrancy.
Interestingly, this isn’t confirmed to be a Mario movie sequel. Instead, Miyamoto’s goal is to “broaden Mario’s world further,” which could mean it’s set in an entirely different part of its universe. This has sparked speculation about the new stories and characters it might explore.
The ending of the first movie teased potential roles for beloved characters like Yoshi, a fan-favorite companion first introduced in Super Mario World in 1990. This approach is indicative of Nintendo‘s willingness to dive deeper into the rich lore of the best-selling Mario franchise, potentially spotlighting characters who’ve played pivotal roles across the video game series.
The creative team remains tight-lipped about the details, but given the original movie’s success and the critical acclaim for performances – especially Jack Black’s portrayal of Bowser – it’s likely that many of the first film’s voices will return to breathe life into their animated counterparts once again. This continuity promises to maintain the quality and coherence that fans have come to expect from Nintendo and Illumination’s collaborative efforts.
Of course, if it isn’t a sequel, don’t be surprised if Nintendo brings an entirely new cast on board.
Beyond the excitement of a new Mario movie, Nintendo is also working on a Legend of Zelda film.
As for its video game arm, Nintendo remains as strong as ever. It has an exclusive lined up for nearly every month this year despite rumblings of the supposedly outgoing Switch’s replacement.
