Super Mario Galaxy Movie Gets Nintendo Direct Presentation

Nintendo will air a Nintendo Direct on Sunday, Jan. 25, at 9 a.m. ET / 2 p.m. GMT showing new footage from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The company confirmed the presentation will not include video game announcements.

The Illumination-produced sequel releases April 3, 2026, in the United States and several global markets, followed by Japan on April 24, 2026. The film follows Nintendo's 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Super Mario Galaxy Movie adds space setting and new characters

The second Illumination Mario film takes the franchise to space, drawing from Nintendo's Super Mario Galaxy games.

A Nintendo Direct in November 2025 revealed Rosalina and Bowser Jr. as new characters. Brie Larson voices Rosalina, while filmmaker Benny Safdie voices Bowser Jr. A clip released last year showed Bowser imprisoned after being shrunk, ending with Bowser Jr. planning his escape.

Mario voice actor Chris Pratt confirmed more characters beyond those revealed. When asked if additional characters were coming, Pratt said, "Oh, yes, there are," adding that some have appeared publicly but "there's even a couple more that are not in the trailer that people should be excited to see."

Charlie Day returns as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Jack Black as Bowser, and Keegan-Michael Key as Toad. Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic direct the sequel, with Matthew Fogel writing the screenplay and Brian Tyler composing the score.

Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri said late last year that animation was weeks from completion. He said the team is bringing a wide range of Nintendo characters to screen, including several making their first film appearances.

Nintendo also has a live-action The Legend of Zelda film in development. A $20 Switch 2 version of Super Mario Bros. Wonder launches March 26, 2026.