The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, released on April 1, 2026, has surpassed $1 billion worldwide, becoming the first billion‑dollar film of the year. the milestone pushes Illumination’s two‑film franchise to a combined $2.3 billion, nudging it past Madagascar for the ninth spot among animated franchises.

Super Mario Galaxy Movie hits $1 billion in ten weeks

According to Deadline, the film reached the $1 billion threshold during its tenth weekend in theaters, a rapid pace that underscores strong audience demand.. The box‑office surge follows a robust opening that placed the sequel among the top earners of 2026, outpacing many original animated releases.

Franchise total reaches $2.3 billion, overtaking Madagascar

The cumulative gross of $2.3 billion now eclipses the Madagascar series, which amassed $2.26 billion across four films. This shift reshapes the animated franchise hierarchy and highlights Illumination’s growing clout against long‑standing competitors.

Voice cast expansion adds Fox McCloud and Princess Rosalina

The sequel retains most of the original talent—Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Jack Black, and Anya Taylor‑Joy—while introducing new voices such as Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr., Brie Larson as Princess Rosalina, Donald Glover as Yoshi, and Glen Powell as Nintendo crossover charracter Fox McCloud. The enriched roster aims to deepen the narrative and attract both fans of the games and newcomers.

First billion‑dollar film of 2026 sets new bar for animated sequels

Illumination’s achievement marks a rare feat for an animated sequel, especially in a year where original titles have struggled to break the $500 million mark. As Deadline reported, the success reinforces the commercial viability of franchise extensions in the animation market.

Will the sequel match the original's $1.36 billion run?

While the film has already crossed $1 billion, it still trails the 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie’s $1.36 billion total. Analysts are watching whether the momentum will close that gap, especially as international markets open in the coming weeks.