Videogaming’s most iconic character is back. Yet even in his own sequel, Mario is in danger of being outshone.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is on track to be one of the biggest box-office openings of the year, with an estimated $350 million haul worldwide expected in its first five days. That puts it in rare territory for an animated franchise, but should come as no surprise to anyone who watched the success of 2023’s movie. Like its sequel, it was panned by critics but went on to be the second-highest grossing flick that year.

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