Nintendo just gave fans their first proper look at The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and it’s everything you’d hope for from the sequel to 2023’s billion-dollar hit. The trailer dropped during a special Nintendo Direct on November 12, 2025, showcasing Mario’s next big-screen adventure – this time taking the action to outer space. And in a move that’s got fans buzzing, Brie Larson is finally getting her wish to join the Nintendo universe as Princess Rosalina.
Brie Larson Gets Her Nintendo Moment
For years, Brie Larson has been vocal about her love for Nintendo. She’s starred in Switch commercials, shared her Animal Crossing island during the pandemic, and repeatedly told anyone who’d listen that she wanted to play Samus in a Metroid movie. Well, Nintendo was clearly paying attention. While she’s not suiting up as the legendary bounty hunter (yet), landing the role of Rosalina in an intergalactic Mario adventure is pretty close.
Rosalina, the cosmic princess who debuted in the 2007 Super Mario Galaxy game, is a perfect fit for Larson’s range. The character has a mysterious backstory and a maternal connection to the Lumas – those adorable star creatures that help Mario traverse space. If the first movie taught us anything, it’s that Illumination knows how to balance heart with humor, and Rosalina’s character should give Larson plenty of material to work with.
What the Trailer Reveals
The official trailer hit YouTube and racked up nearly three million views in just over 12 hours. It shows Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach venturing into space, exploring colorful planets and facing off against familiar foes. The animation looks even more polished than the first film, which makes sense considering Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri mentioned the team was just weeks away from completing animation when the trailer dropped.
Bowser Jr. is making his big-screen debut as a villain, with Benny Safdie voicing the pint-sized troublemaker. Meanwhile, good old Bowser himself is still trapped in a cage at Peach’s Castle – a callback to how the first movie ended. The trailer teases an incredible range of characters, from iconic favorites to what Meledandri calls “deep cuts that longtime fans will recognize.”
The Gang’s All Back
Chris Pratt returns as Mario, 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 entire core cast from the 2023 film is back, which is great news considering how well their chemistry worked the first time around. Jack Black’s scene-stealing performance as Bowser was one of the highlights of the original, so seeing him return (even if he’s stuck in a cage for at least part of the movie) is a win.
Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic are back in the director’s chairs, Matthew Fogel returned to write the screenplay, and Brian Tyler is once again composing the score. This continuity should help maintain the tone and energy that made the first movie such a massive success. When you’ve got a winning formula, sometimes the smartest move is to stick with it.
Following Up a Billion-Dollar Hit
Let’s talk numbers for a second. The Super Mario Bros. Movie wasn’t just successful – it was a phenomenon. The 2023 film pulled in over $1.3 billion worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing movie of that year behind only Barbie. It proved that video game adaptations could be both critically well-received and commercially dominant when handled with care and respect for the source material.
The sequel has some serious shoes to fill, but going with the Super Mario Galaxy theme is a smart choice. The 2007 game is beloved by fans and critics alike, winning numerous Game of the Year awards and introducing gameplay mechanics that were genuinely innovative. The cosmic setting opens up endless creative possibilities for visual storytelling that animation is perfectly suited to capture.
Release Plans and Expectations
Mark your calendars for April 3, 2026, when The Super Mario Galaxy Movie hits theaters in the United States and many other markets globally. Japan gets it a bit later on April 24, 2026, with other territories releasing throughout April. The film will be available in RealD 3D and IMAX formats, which should make those space sequences absolutely spectacular on the big screen.
The movie is being produced by Illumination and Nintendo, with distribution handled by Universal Pictures. It’s being co-financed by Universal and Nintendo, showing just how committed both companies are to making this franchise work long-term. Chris Meledandri of Illumination and Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo – the legendary creator of Mario himself – are producing.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does The Super Mario Galaxy Movie come out?
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie releases in theaters on April 3, 2026, in the United States and most international markets. Japan gets the film on April 24, 2026. It will be available in RealD 3D and IMAX formats.
Who is voicing Rosalina in the new Mario movie?
Brie Larson voices Princess Rosalina in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The Oscar-winning actress has been a vocal Nintendo fan for years and previously expressed interest in playing Samus in a potential Metroid film.
Is the original cast returning for the sequel?
Yes, all the main voice actors are back. Chris Pratt returns as Mario, 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. New additions include Brie Larson as Rosalina and Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr.
What is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie about?
The sequel follows Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach as they venture into outer space, based on the 2007 video game Super Mario Galaxy. The trailer shows them exploring colorful planets while facing new threats, including Bowser Jr., who makes his theatrical debut as a villain.
How successful was the first Mario movie?
The Super Mario Bros. Movie released in 2023 earned over $1.3 billion worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing film of that year. Its massive success led to the quick development of this sequel.
Will there be more Nintendo movies after this?
Nintendo has expressed strong interest in creating more animated films based on their properties. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa stated the company wants to expand into film if their Mario movies continue to be successful.
What video game is the movie based on?
The film is inspired by Super Mario Galaxy, which was released for the Nintendo Wii in 2007. The game won numerous awards and is considered one of the best platformers ever made, featuring innovative gravity-based gameplay across various planets.
Final Thoughts
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie looks like it’s shaping up to be another winner for Nintendo and Illumination. Taking Mario to space is a bold move that plays to animation’s strengths, and the casting of Brie Larson as Rosalina shows Nintendo is listening to its fan base. With the entire creative team from the first film returning and animation nearly complete, everything seems to be on track for an April 2026 release.
The real test will be whether the sequel can capture the magic that made the first film such a massive hit. But based on the trailer and the talent involved, things are looking promising. Whether you’re a die-hard Nintendo fan or just someone who enjoyed the first movie, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is shaping up to be one of the must-see films of 2026.