Super Mario Galaxy Movie Set for April 2026 Release

The highly anticipated sequel to the animated film franchise, titled The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, is scheduled for theatrical release on April 3, 2026. Chris Pratt will reprise his role as Mario, following the success of the first film. The announcement was made by The Hollywood Reporter, confirming that the sequel will once again be produced by Universal Pictures.

Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who helmed the original Super Mario Bros. movie, will return to direct the new installment. Production involves collaboration with Chris Meledandri of Illumination and Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo, ensuring a continuation of the creative vision that captivated audiences. The team has already begun storyboarding scenes for the upcoming film.

In addition to Chris Pratt, the sequel will feature familiar voices from the first movie, including Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, and Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek. The casting team is expected to announce new voice actors later, adding fresh characters to the beloved franchise.

The success of the initial film set a high bar, as it surpassed Frozen II to achieve the biggest animated movie opening, as well as breaking records for video game adaptations by outpacing Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. The sequel is poised to build on that momentum.

Jack Black, who voiced Bowser, hinted at the possibility of changes in the character lineup for the sequel. In a recent interview with GameSpot, he remarked, “It’s not a given that Bowser will return… What if there is a more powerful, more evil villain? Then I may need to be turned to help Mario and the rest to defend our universe against some other unseen force of evil. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Wario!” This playful speculation about Pedro Pascal potentially joining the franchise as Wario has sparked excitement among fans.

As the film’s release date approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be another vibrant adventure in the world of Mario. The creative team’s commitment to engaging storytelling and stellar voice acting sets the stage for a sequel that aims to capture the hearts of both new and returning audiences.