Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri has shared insights into the remarkable box office performance of the Super Mario films, following the strong opening of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

The Nintendo Collaboration

Meledandri explained that the key to forging a successful film franchise based on the beloved video game character lies in the close partnership between Illumination and Nintendo. He discussed this collaboration at a recent event.

Miyamoto’s Central Role

The veteran producer emphasized that Nintendo and series creator Shigeru Miyamoto’s direct involvement in the projects has been crucial to their success. “The secret is being able to bring Miyamoto-san and the team into the center of the process,” Meledandri stated. “It’s not something that we had ever done at Illumination.”

Illumination had previously produced ten films entirely within its studio. This marked the first time the company integrated external partners so deeply into the filmmaking process.

A ‘Secret Weapon’

Meledandri described Miyamoto as a “secret weapon,” adding, “I’m not just complimenting Miyamoto-san because he’s standing here. Part of me doesn’t want to give away this secret because it’s like having the secret to Coca-Cola and then giving it away.” He reiterated that including Miyamoto and Nintendo artists throughout filmmaking was the core of their success.

The partnership with Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo extended to all stages of film production, from initial concept to final release.

Box Office Triumph

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie premiered on April 1 and quickly exceeded expectations, earning $34 million on its opening day. This surpassed the opening day earnings of the 2023 film, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and became the highest opening day for a 2026 release.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie itself achieved significant success, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide during its theatrical run.