Nintendo's 'Super Mario Bros.' dominates the box office with a stunning $377 million opening weekend

The “Super Mario Bros.” movie, based on the iconic video game franchise from Nintendo, has smashed box office records with a stunning global debut of $377 million over the Easter weekend. The animated film, produced by Illumination and distributed by Universal, surpassed Frozen 2 to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time in its opening weekend.

‘THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE’ earned $377M at its worldwide box office opening weekend.

The highest global opening ever for an animated movie.

Read our review: https://t.co/iAS6Di3tD5 pic.twitter.com/atD5ZcPVQL

— The Hollywood Handle (@hollywoodhandle) April 9, 2023

A blockbuster hit in North America

In North America, the movie raked in $204.6 million in five days, including $146.4 million for the three-day weekend, making it the second-best opening ever for an animated film behind Incredibles 2. The movie also broke the record for the best opening for a video game adaptation, beating Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which was released in 2022.

The movie attracted a wide range of audiences, from families with children to young adults who grew up playing Mario games. According to CinemaScore, the movie received an A grade from moviegoers, indicating strong word-of-mouth and repeat viewing potential.

Chris Pratt, who voices Mario, expressed his excitement on Twitter: “Wow! I’m blown away by the amazing response to The Super Mario Bros. Movie! Thank you to everyone who came out to see it and made it such a huge success! I’m so proud to be part of this incredible project and to share the screen with such talented co-stars and friends!”

A worldwide phenomenon

The Super Mario Bros. movie also performed exceptionally well overseas, earning $173 million from 70 markets. The movie topped the charts in every territory where it opened, with China leading the way with $62 million, followed by Japan with $28 million and the UK with $18 million.

The movie’s global success reflects the popularity and appeal of the Mario brand, which has sold over 600 million video games worldwide since its debut in 1985. The movie also benefits from the creative vision of Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri, who has produced hit animated franchises such as Despicable Me and Minions.

Meledandri said in a statement: “We are thrilled and humbled by the extraordinary response to The Super Mario Bros. Movie from audiences around the world. This is a testament to the enduring power of Mario and his friends, as well as the talent and passion of our amazing filmmakers and cast. We are grateful to our partners at Nintendo, Universal and all of our exhibitors for their support and collaboration in bringing this movie to life on the big screen.”

What’s next for Mario?

The Super Mario Bros. movie is not only a box office smash, but also a critical darling, with many reviewers praising its humor, animation and voice acting. The movie currently holds an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling it “a joyous celebration of gaming culture” and “a fun-filled adventure for fans of all ages”.

The movie follows the adventures of Mario (Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day), two plumbers from Brooklyn who are transported to a magical world where they must rescue Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) from the evil Bowser (Jack Black). Along the way, they encounter familiar characters such as Yoshi (Keegan-Michael Key), Toad (Seth Rogen) and Donkey Kong (Fred Armisen).

With such a strong start, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is poised to become one of the biggest hits of 2023 and a potential contender for awards season. The movie also sets up a possible sequel or spin-off, as fans are eager to see more of their favorite characters on screen.