LOS ANGELES — Nintendo's ambitious foray into feature films reached another milestone this week as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie officially surpassed $940 million in global box office earnings, cementing its status as one of the biggest animated releases of 2026 and validating the company's strategy to expand its beloved characters beyond video games.

The film, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic with creative input from Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto, has become a runaway success since its theatrical debut in March. Distributed by Universal Pictures in partnership with Illumination, the movie blends breathtaking cosmic visuals, emotional storytelling and the whimsical charm that defined the 2007 Nintendo Wii classic. As of Thursday, May 14, it has grossed approximately $512 million domestically and $428 million internationally, according to studio estimates and Box Office Mojo tracking.

The milestone comes at a pivotal time for Nintendo. After the record-shattering success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023, which earned more than $1.36 billion worldwide, the company doubled down on its Hollywood ambitions. Super Mario Galaxy was positioned as a more emotionally ambitious follow-up, focusing on Mario, Luigi, Princess Rosalina and a host of new cosmic allies as they navigate gravity-defying planets and confront a mysterious galactic threat.

Critics and audiences have embraced the film's blend of spectacle and heart. It holds a solid 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an A CinemaScore from opening weekend audiences. Families have returned in droves, with strong repeat........

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