Mixed reviews did not dissuade audiences from buying tickets for “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” which marked the biggest opening of the year for a Hollywood film. The Illumination and Nintendo co-production grossed $130.9 million over the weekend and $190.1 million in its first five days in North American theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday.
“Super Mario Galaxy Movie” tops the global box office
Universal Pictures released the sequel globally on Wednesday, taking advantage of children’s spring break holidays in the week before Easter break. With an estimated US$182.4 million from 80 overseas markets, the film is looking to post an astronomical US$372.5 million debut – the latest PG-rated success. Mexico leads the international pack with $29.1 million from 5,136 screens, followed by the United Kingdom
and Ireland with US$19.7 million. According to Sakneelak, the film has earned an estimated Rs 3.73 crore nett at the Indian box office, while its Indian grosser stands at Rs 4.45 crore.
‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ makes biggest debut since ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’
The animated sequel, which is Illumination CEO Christopher Meledandri’s 16th film in 16 years, is the industry’s biggest debut since Avatar: Fire and Ash was released over Christmas. However, Chinese film “Pegasus 3,” which was not a Motion Picture Association release, has a slight advantage over the 2026 world record.
It’s also a decline from the first film, which opened with $204 million domestically during the same five-day time frame in 2023 ($147 of which was from Friday, Saturday and Sunday). “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” became the second biggest film of 2023, taking in more than $1.3 billion at the box office.
“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” was a hit among family audiences
“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” featuring returning voice actors Chris Pratt, Jack Black, Anya Taylor-Joy and Charlie Day, made a huge mark in the U.S. and Canada, showing in 4,252 theaters, including 421 IMAX and 1,345 premium large format screens.
It grossed US$15 million from IMAX screens alone. Its production cost was approximately 110 million US dollars, not including marketing and promotional expenses. But it arrived amid a wave of less-than-stellar reviews. Its Rotten Tomatoes score currently stands at a poor 40%. But ticket buyers were more enthusiastic.Family audiences gave the film five out of five stars according to PostTrak polls, while general audiences gave it four stars and an A- on CinemsScore.
The audience was leaning male (61%) overall, although when it came to families attending, there were slightly more mothers (52%) than fathers. “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” will open in Japan later this month.
“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” beats “Hail Mary project ‘
As expected, “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” closed out a two-week stretch from the Ryan Gosling-led sci-fi thriller “Project Hail Mary,” which finished second in its third weekend in theaters, adding $30.7 million, bringing its domestic total to $217.2 million.
Worldwide, US$420.7 million has been grossed to date.
“Drama” grosses $14 million for the first time
Third place went to the new film “The Drama” produced by A24, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, which achieved revenues estimated at 14.4 million US dollars in 3,087 theaters. The film’s stars put on a huge, glamorous press blitz to promote their R-rated film about an engaged couple grappling with a disturbing discovery, which cost $28 million to produce.
The revelation has sparked a fair amount of cultural discourse.
Although reviews were more positive (82% on Rotten Tomatoes), it received a less promising B CinemaScore.
“Hoppers” and “Reminders of Him” slide into the top five
“Hoppers” and “Reminders of Him” rounded out the top five. Box office forecasts look generally bright, up about 30% from last year.
‘Durandar: Revenge Maintains its control of the top ten
Bollywood film “Dhurandhar: The Revenge”, which entered its third week, maintained its dominance at the US box office.
The film earned an estimated US$1.9 million in its third weekend, bringing its total North American collection to an estimated US$25.71 million, according to Box Office Venki. Meanwhile, its total exports from international markets currently stand at an estimated US$41.5 million. Aditya Dhar directed by Ranveer Singh starring Aditya Dhar has set a new record at the international box office, with an estimated gross collection of Rs 392 crore.
The film became the first film to collect an estimated net of Rs 1,013.77 crore from the Indian box office, while its total collections in India stand at Rs 1,213.74 crore. The film now has a worldwide gross collection of Rs 1,605.74 crore (US$173.2 million).
Top 10 films at the domestic box office
With final domestic numbers released Monday, this list takes into account estimated Friday-Sunday ticket sales at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:1. “Super Mario Galaxy” – $130.9 million.2. “Hail Mary Project” – 30.7 million US dollars.3. “Drama” – 14.4 million US dollars.4. “The Hoppers” – 5.8 million US dollars.5. “Reminders of Him” – $2.2 million.6. “The Great Awakening” – $2.1 million.7. “They’ll Kill You” – $1.9 million.8. “Dhurandhar The Revenge” – US$1.9 million.9. “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” – $1.8 million.10. “Scream 7” – 915 thousand US dollars
