After nine weekends in theaters, Universal/Illumination’s “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” became the first release of 2026 to surpass $1 billion in global grosses, signaling the franchise’s staying power at the box office.
By the ninth weekend in theaters, “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” finally hit the milestone that defines the biggest years in Hollywood.
Universal/Illumination’s Nintendo sequel has become the first release of 2026 to cross $1 billion in global grosses after nine weekends in theaters. It’s a major feat for a studio built on crowd-pleasing animation—and it’s also a reminder that when it comes to the world’s most recognizable video game character. audiences will keep showing up.
The number still doesn’t match the peak of its 2023 predecessor, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which finished with $1.36 billion in total. But the new achievement lands squarely on the franchise’s ability to hold attention over time, not just launch with a headline opening.
That staying power is feeding a bigger story for animated tentpoles. The “Mario” franchise is now placed among the top 10 highest grossing animated franchises worldwide. Illumination’s “Despicable Me” sits at the top of that ranking. with $5.6 billion grossed across four main installments and two “Minions” spinoffs. A third spinoff, “Minions & Monsters,” is set to come to theaters this July.
The $1 billion track isn’t slowing down, either. “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” could soon be joined by Lionsgate’s “Michael. ” with Universal handling international distribution for most overseas markets. The Michael Jackson biopic is on the verge of crossing $900 million after its seventh weekend in theaters. and its upcoming release in Japan via Kino Films is expected to push it over the line.
If “Michael” reaches $1 billion worldwide, it would become the first biopic to hit that total.
This summer’s list of potential heavy hitters is already forming. Disney/Pixar’s “Toy Story 5” is projected for a $170 million-plus domestic opening, while Universal’s “The Odyssey” is being positioned as director Christopher Nolan’s first $1 billion hit outside of the “Dark Knight” trilogy.
Super Mario Galaxy Movie 2026 box office Universal Illumination Nintendo sequel $1 billion animated franchises Despicable Me Minions & Monsters Michael Jackson biopic Michael Toy Story 5 The Odyssey Christopher Nolan