Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto didn’t expect The Super Mario Galaxy Movie reviews to be as harsh as they were
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has earned $747 million at the global box office since its April 1 US theatrical release, with $355.2 million from domestic markets and $392.2 million from overseas. This strong commercial performance extends the Super Mario film franchise beyond $2 billion in total box office revenue, following the predecessor Super Mario Bros. Movie, which earned $1.35 billion in 2023.
However, the critical reception has been notably harsh, creating a disconnect between audience attendance and critical acclaim. Nintendo’s legendary creative director Shigeru Miyamoto, who was involved in the film’s production, expressed surprise at the severity of the negative reviews. When Japanese publication Famitsu drew parallels between the Galaxy Movie’s situation and the 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie—both experiencing strong commercial success despite poor critical reviews—Miyamoto acknowledged the comparison but found the current film’s criticism “quite baffling,” suggesting he had expected a warmer critical response.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a joint production between Illumination, Nintendo, and Universal Pictures, continuing the collaboration that proved commercially successful with the first film. The Galaxy installment launched in Japan on April 24, 2026.