Nintendo and Illumination are striking star bits together again! Fresh off the roaring success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), which plastered the box office in gold coins, they’re levelling up: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has just been officially confirmed. The announcement came during the 40th Anniversary of Nintendo Direct. And yes! Mario who turned 40, was sporting his favourite cap and overalls. It was here that the game-legend Shigeru Miyamoto revealed the sequel’s title and teased its plot pulling from Super Mario Galaxy and Galaxy 2 (two of the most beloved entries in the franchise).
The teaser dropped enough treats to get longtime Mario fans bouncing and newcomers curious. Chris Pratt is back as Mario and Charlie Day returns as Luigi per Empire. Anya Taylor-Joy will again don the crown(?) as Princess Peach. Jack Black reprises his role as Bowser, with his characteristic flair (expect villain-singing or villain-roaring… or maybe both). Kevin Michael Richardson is voicing Kamek, while Keegan-Michael Key plays Toad.
And yes, there is a cameo from a Luma in the title teaser of the little star creatures that feel like the heart of Galaxy. Pantheon of adorable cosmic companions, assemble! One thing that has not yet been confirmed is Rosalina, the guardian of the cosmos, lover of stars, controller of galaxies. Given the source material, it’s only a matter of time before we hear who’s playing her. Also curious, Seth Rogen’s Donkey Kong doesn’t appear in the current cast list. That absence has started fan-rumours alight. Could DK have his own separate big screen adventure soon?
Release Date is set for April 3, 2026 so mark your calendars, because theatres worldwide will get that bowserful glow of Mario in space. The movie is directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic. Expect dynamic visuals and plenty of imaginative, gravity-defying set-pieces (after all, Galaxy is the one Mario game that makes you feel like a star literally swirling in space).
Here’s what makes this sequel especially buzzworthy:
- Galaxy and Galaxy 2 are hallowed terrain in Nintendo lore. Their space-riffed levels, gravity-bending mechanics, orchestral music, and sense of wonder are often cited as some of the best in the franchise. Translating that to film means we’re likely to get visuals and world-building on another level.
- The promise of returning voice talent means continuity, familiar tones and banter for those who loved the first movie.
- The teaser’s tone (from the main theme tune to the Luma sighting) suggests Illumination isn’t shying away from the rich mythology of Galaxy. We might get more than just a fun romp, there could be emotional arcs, surprises and maybe even existential star-stuff.
Just for fun, here are some possibilities and hopes:
- A spectacular visual style: expect planets, warped space, maybe even levels where Mario walks around tiny planets, gravity flips, and you’re never sure which way is up.
- Rosalina’s role: if she appears (and it seems likely), she might be a bridge between Mario’s world and the broader cosmos, possibly guiding Mario, or warning of cosmic threats.
- New villains: the Galaxy series introduced some grand threats (like Bowser’s still around, obviously), but maybe new celestial antagonists or cosmic disasters are in store.
- Music: Will the film incorporate the epic orchestral themes from the Galaxy games? If they pull that off, goosebumps incoming.
All in all, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie looks like it could be more than just a fun sequel. It has the potential to be a love letter to fans of the games, a visual spectacle for moviegoers, and yet another reason Mario’s mythos keeps expanding in cool ways.
