A Billion-Dollar Journey: Mario's Galactic Conquest

The Inaugural Billion-Dollar Film of 2026

In a resounding victory for Universal Pictures and the broader film industry, "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" has officially surpassed $1 billion in global ticket sales. This achievement makes it the first film released in 2026 to reach this significant financial benchmark, demonstrating robust audience engagement and strong box office performance.

Domestic and International Box Office Breakdown

The animated blockbuster's impressive total is a result of strong showings both domestically and overseas. Following its latest weekend, the film's domestic gross stands at $428.5 million, complemented by an impressive $571.5 million from international markets, collectively pushing it past the billion-dollar threshold.

Building on a Legacy: Mario's Franchise Success

"The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" is a successor to the highly successful "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" from 2023, which garnered over $1.3 billion globally. Together, these two animated features have established the Mario film series as one of Hollywood's most profitable animated franchises, accumulating over $2.3 billion in worldwide ticket sales. This places the Mario franchise among an elite group of animated sagas, rivaling the likes of "Inside Out," "Kung Fu Panda," and "Madagascar" in total earnings. The top-grossing animated franchise, "Despicable Me," also from Universal and Illumination, boasts an astounding $5.64 billion across six films.

Animated Film Powerhouses: A Comparative Look

Within the domestic market, the Mario movie series now ranks as the fifth-largest animated franchise. It trails only the colossal successes of "Despicable Me," "Shrek," "Toy Story," and "Inside Out," further solidifying its prominent position in the animated film landscape.

The Galactic Adventure Unfolds: Story and Voice Cast

"The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," a collaborative effort between Universal, Illumination, and Nintendo, embarks on an exciting cosmic journey. The film sees Mario and his loyal companions, including Luigi, Yoshi, Bowser, and Princess Peach, venture into the vast expanse of outer space. Their mission is to rescue Princess Rosalina, voiced by Brie Larson, from the clutches of the formidable Bowser, brought to life by Jack Black, and his son, Bowser Jr., voiced by Benny Safdie. The stellar voice cast also features Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Donald Glover, adding star power to this intergalactic adventure.

Michael Jackson Biopic Approaches Billion-Dollar Mark

In related box office news, the Lionsgate and Universal co-production, "Michael," a biopic chronicling the life of the iconic pop star Michael Jackson, continues its impressive run. In its seventh week of release, the film has amassed a global total of $888 million, steadily approaching the $1 billion milestone itself and indicating strong audience interest in biographical dramas.