Okay, pop-culture fans — strap on your warp pipes and hold onto your Lumas, because the trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has officially dropped, and it’s giving celestial plumbermania.
During the latest Nintendo Direct livestream, Illumination and Nintendo unveiled the first full look at the highly anticipated follow-up to the 2023 smash hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. What we saw? A cosmic adventure, new characters, and the sense that the Mushroom Kingdom is about to go intergalactic.
What’s New (and What’s Returning)
First up: a few new stars are joining the party. Oscar winner Brie Larson is voicing Princess Rosalina, the cosmic guardian first introduced in the 2007 game Super Mario Galaxy. Also entering the scene is Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr., the mischievous son of Bowser, who seems determined to rescue his miniaturized father.
The original cast is back, too — Chris Pratt as Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, and Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek. Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic also return, promising the same comedic energy and visual flair that made the first film a global phenomenon.
Inside the Trailer
The trailer opens with a shrunken Bowser still trapped in his tiny castle, closely watched by Mario and Luigi after his defeat in the first film. Then, in classic Nintendo fashion, the chaos begins: Bowser Jr. swoops in on his clown-car copter, determined to free his father. Meanwhile, Mario, Peach, and Toad blast off into space — and the Mushroom Kingdom suddenly becomes the entire galaxy.
Visually, the film embraces the Super Mario Galaxy aesthetic: floating planets, zero-gravity puzzles, and dazzling star-fields. Midway through the trailer, Rosalina makes her grand entrance, commanding the screen with a serene, almost ethereal energy. Her introduction signals a deeper expansion of the Mario universe — one that ventures far beyond pipes, castles, and koopas.
Why This Sequel Matters
Sequel Pressure, High Expectations: The original Super Mario Bros. Movie redefined what a video-game adaptation could be. This sequel has to meet — and possibly surpass — that high bar.
Rosalina’s Star Turn: Rosalina has long been one of Nintendo’s most mysterious, beloved figures — part fairy godmother, part cosmic protector. Casting Brie Larson in the role gives her gravitas and a touch of Hollywood stardust.
Bowser Jr. Steps Up: With his father sidelined, Bowser Jr. introduces a new generational twist. It’s less “rescue the princess” and more “family business,” with a mischievous heir taking the spotlight.
A Bigger Canvas: By taking the story from the Mushroom Kingdom to the stars, Illumination and Nintendo are expanding their visual and storytelling possibilities — not just a new location, but a whole new dimension.
Cultural Impact: With the Mario brand turning 40 and Nintendo’s cinematic universe expanding, this sequel arrives as both a nostalgia play and a bold next chapter in franchise storytelling.
The PopViewers Take
This trailer feels like a confident leap forward. The humor lands, the animation looks lush, and the chemistry among the cast feels effortless. The addition of Rosalina and Bowser Jr. suggests a more emotionally layered story — one that balances family ties, heroism, and adventure in a way fans of all ages will connect with.
Expect plenty of Easter eggs for longtime gamers and a handful of surprises that point toward Nintendo’s growing movie universe.
Mark your calendars: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie hits theaters April 3, 2026. It’s bigger, bolder, and bursting with star power.
Mario isn’t just back — he’s going where no plumber has gone before.
