‘Super Mario Galaxy’ Scores $372.5 Million Global Debut
Sequel opened to $190.1 million domestically and $372.5 million worldwide despite weak reviews, playing in 4,252 North American theaters and earning $15 million from IMAX.
Los Angeles Times'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' soars to the top spot at the box office
Fortune'Super Mario' fans ignore weak reviews and send sequel to $372.5 million global box office debut, biggest opening of the year for a studio film | Fortune
USA TODAY'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' levels up 2026 box office with huge opening
ABC NewsIt’s-a-hit: ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ blasts off with $372.5M globally
Overview
Studio estimates and Comscore said "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" earned $190.1 million domestically in its five-day debut and $372.5 million worldwide.
Universal released the sequel globally on Wednesday, capitalizing on kids' spring break vacations in the week leading up to the Easter holiday, studio estimates said.
Audience exit polls showed families gave the film five out of five stars while general audiences rated it four stars and an A- on CinemaScore, according to PostTrak and CinemaScore.
The film cost around $110 million to make and played in 4,252 U.S. and Canadian theaters, including 421 IMAX and 1,345 premium large-format screens, according to studio data.
Final domestic figures are expected Monday, and the film is scheduled to open in Japan later this month, according to Comscore and studio estimates.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a commercial triumph by foregrounding record box-office figures and upbeat industry and audience metrics, using laudatory language ("astronomical," "massive"). Editorial choices downplay critical skepticism—placing Rotten Tomatoes and reviews later and omitting critic quotes—while prioritizing studio estimates, exhibitor praise, and audience polling.