Super mario galaxy falls short of predecessor, but still shatters box office records
The Mushroom Kingdom's latest adventure, Super Mario Galaxy, isn't quite echoing the triumphant roar of its 2023 predecessor, but it's making a serious splash at the box office—one that's rewriting animated film history.
Critics deliver a mixed verdict on the galactic sequel
Rotten Tomatoes scores initially signaled potential trouble. While the original Super Mario Bros. Movie secured a respectable 59% approval rating, Super Mario Galaxy landed with a considerably colder 41%. The critical consensus suggests a dip in quality, a sentiment partially mirrored by audiences who shifted from a near-perfect 95% score for the 2023 film to a still-impressive, but noticeably lower, 90% for the new release. The pattern is familiar: critics are far more discerning than the devoted fanbase, who seem content to revisit the familiar charm of Mario, regardless of the nuanced execution.
But here's the detail that’s defying expectations: despite the polarized reviews, Super Mario Galaxy is absolutely dominating the global box office. The film has already surpassed $59 million worldwide, and projections indicate a staggering $370 million haul by the end of its opening weekend. This places it firmly in the animated stratosphere—specifically, as the third-highest animated opening weekend of all time, trailing only Moana ($386.3 million) and the original Super Mario Bros. Movie ($375.6 million).
The film, an adventure, animation, comedy, family, and fantasy spectacle, boasts a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes, and is presented in English. Its performance underscores a crucial truth about the Mario franchise: nostalgia and sheer fan enthusiasm can overcome even the most scathing critical assessments. The numbers don’t lie—this is a brand that resonates, regardless of whether audiences are wielding a controller or simply enjoying the spectacle on the big screen.
The staggering opening weekend revenue demonstrates that, for now, critical acclaim isn’t the sole determinant of box office success.