In a stunning feat of redemption, Nintendo’s hit video game property Super Mario has risen like a phoenix from the ashes of its ill-fated live-action movie in 1993, emerging in fully animated glory as the top earning release of 2023 in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Having already made history as the biggest animated movie opening of all time worldwide last weekend, the Illumination/Universal title has passed the half-billion mark to cement its place as the No. 1 theatrical film of the year. Through Thursday, Mario, Luigi and their friends down the pipes earned $260.3M domestically and $248.4M internationally, for $508.7M total.
The film’s top markets outside North America are Mexico ($40M), U.K. & Ireland ($35M), Germany ($21.5M), France ($15.2M) and Australia ($14.8M). The family adventure is due to open in Japan, Korea and the Middle East later in the month
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is not only the biggest hit of 2023 so far, it is also the second highest-grossing animated film since the start of the pandemic, just behind Illumination/Universal’s Minions: The Rise of Gru ($942.5M; 2022) and pulling ahead of global anime smash Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train ($507M; 2020). It is also the highest-grossing video game adaptation ever, topping Warcraft and Detective Pikachu.
Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic (Teen Titans Go!, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies) from a screenplay by Matthew Fogel (Minions: The Rise of Gru, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part), produced by Illumination founder/CEO Chris Meledandri p.g.a. and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto for Nintendo, the film follows Brooklyn plumbers Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) as they are transported through a magical pipe and separated. Teaming up with Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) Mario must tap into his own power and level up his game to rescue his brother.
Friday afternoon update: This weekend, the film is estimated to bring in another $72 million domestically, making its total nine-day cume around $332 million. This marks the best second weekend for Illumination (topping Minions which made $49.2 million).
Sunday afternoon update: Super Mario officially stomped the competition for another frame, scoring $87 million in its second weekend — bringing its most recent domestic total to $347.8M and $678M globally. With ticket sales dipping just 41% since opening, The Super Mario Bros. Movie has set an all-time record for best second weekend for an animated film from any studio.
Source: Deadline.com
