Mario and Luigi have returned to the big screen with a massive bang. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, a joint venture between Universal Pictures, Illumination, and Nintendo, rocketed to $34 million at the domestic box office on its opening day, Wednesday, April 1, 2026. This stellar performance officially marks the strongest opening day for any film released so far in 2026.

The sequel's debut comfortably surpassed the $31.7 million opening day haul of 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Despite landing mixed reviews from critics, audiences are flocking to theaters in droves. According to data reported by TheWrap and Video Games Chronicle, the film's initial haul suggests a massive five-day holiday weekend trajectory as families hit theaters during the spring break season.

While critical reception has been split, the financial momentum for the franchise remains undeniable. The film continues the highly successful creative partnership between Chris Meledandri’s Illumination and Shigeru Miyamoto’s Nintendo. As noted by Dark Horizons, this $34 million start sets a high bar for the upcoming summer movie season, proving that the global appetite for Nintendo’s cinematic stories is only growing.