The Super Mario franchise has always been one of the most talked-about video game adaptations. Whether for better or worse, both the 1993 and 2023 films made headlines, and the same can now be said for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Ahead of its long-awaited release, the film has been met with intense criticism. 

Critics have voiced their disappointment with the storytelling and the cinematography. However, despite the backlash, the video game adaptation is still expected to bring in millions at the box office.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is expected to fetch over $160 million in its domestic opening weekend. This does not come as a surprise, considering animated films attract a massive audience, especially families and children who prefer the theatrical experience. However, what could pose a challenge is its unimpressive review. 

The film, which is a sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, has received a 44% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Variety called it “disappointing,” while The Guardian described it as a “bland screensaver.” These strong criticisms of the movie come despite a stellar voice cast. 

Chris Pratt and Anya Taylor-Joy return as Mario and Princess Peach. While Jack Black and Keegan-Michael Key reprise their roles as Bowser and Toad, Brie Larson, Issa Rae, Luis Guzmán, and Glen Powell also joined the cast for the latest movie. While the reviews may weigh the film down, the success of its predecessor suggests it could still overcome it at the box office. 

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And this could be due to its predecessor, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which became a massive box office success despite mixed reactions.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie arrived in 2023 with Chris Pratt and Anya Taylor-Joy leading the voice cast. The movie earned an impressive $204 million in its first five days. It became one of the biggest openings of the year. Within just 26 days of its release, the film had already grossed $490 million in North America and more than $500 million worldwide. 

It went on to become one of the highest-grossing video game adaptations of that year. While critics had initially mixed opinions, the film ultimately raked in $1.36 billion worldwide. That brings us to The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which could see similar success. However, whether the poor reviews will impact its box office run remains a concern until the film releases on April 1, 2026.

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Do you think the latest movie could achieve the same success as its predecessor? Let us know in the comments.