Nintendo, Illumination Confirm 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' Sequel For 2026 On Mario Day
Release dates were also given for two classic Mario games’ releases on the Nintendo Switch
It’s Mario Day! And having just released Super Mario Bros. Wonder late last year, the focus wasn’t on main series games like it was for Pokémon Day, but instead on the franchise-in-the-making surrounding last April’s blockbuster The Super Mario Bros. Movie. And indeed, early Sunday US time, Nintendo and Illumination confirmed they were working on “a new animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros.”
With a set release date of April 3, 2026 it would frankly be silly for it to be a spinoff so it is most certainly a sequel. It was announced by Shigeru Miyamoto, Representative Director, Fellow of Nintendo, and Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri, who continue in their posts as producers for the film. Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic and writer Matthew Fogel are returning in the same respective capacities. The April 3, 2026 release date is for the United States and a majority of the global markets. The ones that don’t will get it later that April. It is the same weekend that The Super Mario Bros. Movie had last year, where it went on to earn $1.3 billion ($573.6 million US/Canada, $777.4 million elsewhere) at the global box office, making it the highest-grossing video game adaptation of all time, the year's highest grossing film, and the third-highest grossing animated film in history. Miyamoto also commended its successes on streaming, seemingly emphasizing its performance on Netflix over the Christmas season and into the new year. They’re not at a stage where details for this sequel are aplenty, not even ready to confirm who from the first film’s cast is returning, let alone plot.
Illumination has said they are “excited to continue its partnership with Nintendo, bringing its signature mix of joy and discovery to worldwide audiences of all ages, allowing them to connect with the beloved characters and stories from one of the world’s most popular franchises.” Meanwhile, Nintendo said “By getting deeply involved in the movie production with the aim to put smiles on everyone’s faces through entertainment, Nintendo will continue its efforts to produce unique entertainment and deliver it to as many people as possible.”
While Illumination’s upload only covers the movie announcement, Nintendo’s includes announcements for game rereleases, with Dr. Mario, Mario Golf, and Mario Tennis arriving on Nintendo Switch Online on Tuesday, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door arriving on the Nintendo Switch on May 23, and Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD releasing on June 27.
Source: Deadline
