The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Opening Breaks Box Office Records Despite Mixed Critical Response

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has already begun breaking box office records following its explosive launch into theaters yesterday, despite middling reviews. Nintendo's blockbuster sequel earned $34 million in the U.S. on Wednesday, Deadline reported, making for the best opening day of any film released in 2026 so far. (Project Hail Mary opened to $33.1 million, so it was close, though the Ryan Gosling film had been helped by opening on a Friday.) After launching on a Wednesday, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie now holds the record for the best opening on a Wednesday in April ever — beating its predecessor, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which collected $31.7 million in gold coins back in 2023. Forecasts show Nintendo's follow-up bringing in slightly less over the course of the film's first week, but only slightly, and with a healthy-looking global box office total also expected. Nintendo will also likely be cheered by the fact that the movie has opened to a positive response from cinemagoers — demonstrated by its current 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. That figure is far higher than the movie's overall critical consensus, with just 41% of reviewers judged as having recommended the