Super Mario Galaxy Movie sets 2026 opening-day record

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie delivered a record-setting start in North America, posting $34.5 million on Wednesday, April 2, 2026, from 3,821 theaters across the U.S. and Canada. The result was described as the best Wednesday opening ever for April and the biggest single-day opening of 2026 so far. The film is produced by Illumination, Nintendo, and Universal.

The opening-day figure moved the sequel ahead of Project Hail Mary , which previously led 2026 with a $33.1 million opening day. The new performance also builds on the franchise’s prior benchmark: The Super Mario Bros. Movie began with $31.7 million on a Wednesday in 2023. Together, the comparisons underline how the latest installment is tracking above both the year’s earlier high-water mark and the series’ earlier launch pace.

Cost and audience response were also highlighted alongside the early revenue. The sequel’s production budget is listed at $110 million, compared with $100 million for the original film. Audience polling gave the new release an A- CinemaScore, a grade presented as a sign of strong viewer satisfaction.

Universal projected a $128.2 million three-day opening and a $186 million total over five days. If those estimates are realized, the film would stand as the largest U.S./Canada opening of the year to date. It would also place the franchise in a small group of animated series that have produced two separate domestic releases opening above $100 million over three days.

For markets, the early numbers reinforce the commercial weight of established entertainment brands and sequels, particularly when backed by major studio distribution and well-known intellectual property. The release’s scale—3,821 theaters—also points to broad exhibitor support, which can be a key factor in translating demand into ticket sales during the first week of release.

Key uncertainties remain tied to whether the projected three-day and five-day totals will be met, since those figures were presented as forecasts rather than final results. The durability of demand beyond the initial surge is not yet known, even with the A- CinemaScore indicating positive early audience sentiment. Further box office updates will determine whether the film’s record-setting first day converts into the projected multi-day milestones.