The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has achieved remarkable success, and Nintendo has just revealed an exciting sequel that will be coming out sooner than expected. Following Mario Galaxy’s impressive $900 million earnings at the Worldwide Box Office, it appears that this film is on track to become the first billion-dollar movie of 2026, indicating that the series is set to thrive for many years to come.
The pressing question is where Nintendo will go from here. Indeed, a film inspired by The Legend of Zelda is set to release next year, but this 2027 project is unlikely to have any direct ties to the Mario movies.
Unlike the Mario films produced by Illumination, Zelda is being developed by Sony Pictures and represents Nintendo’s next significant venture into live-action cinema. The Mario franchise is far from over. With Mario Galaxy paving the way for future narratives, there remains a wealth of games to explore.
A potential third Mario movie could draw inspiration from either Mario Odyssey or Mario Wonder, and spinoffs like Luigi’s Mansion are still very much on the table. Additionally, there are rumors circulating about a Donkey Kong movie that is reportedly already in advanced stages of production.
That being said, it’s important to recognize that Nintendo’s future ambitions extend far beyond what the speculation surrounding this movie franchise might imply. Just last week, the Japanese company made a significant announcement regarding an unexpected product slated for release this summer, which has further highlighted the commercial significance of Mario Galaxy.
Mario Galaxy’s Star Fox Is Set To Make A Comeback On Switch 2
Just a month following the return of Mario Galaxy to the big screen, Nintendo has revealed an exciting new Star Fox video game for the Switch 2 console. This game takes inspiration from the classic 1997 rail shooter Star Fox 64, featuring completely revamped visuals and introducing fresh modes. Mark your calendars for it’s release on June 25, 2026.
This is a significant moment for the Star Fox brand, which has largely been overlooked for the last decade. Although Fox, Falco, and the nefarious Wolf appeared in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the franchise has not launched a new game since 2016’s Star Fox Zero on the Wii U console.
After that game, along with the 2017 launch of the previously unreleased Super Nintendo title Star Fox 2, it appeared for a long time that the Star Fox franchise was finished. This made Fox’s appearance in Mario Galaxy all the more surprising.
Interest in Star Fox has been revitalized, resulting in the success of Nintendo’s recent announcement, which has garnered over 2.6 million views on the company’s primary YouTube channel. The footage showcases Fox and his team with surprising new designs, complemented by stunning and clear visuals.
What This Upcoming Game Signifies For Star Fox In Cinematic Adaptations
Importantly, the launch of the Nintendo Direct stream showcased clips of Fox McCloud in the Mario Galaxy Movie. Fox’s role in the film, voiced by Glen Powell, was evidently more than just a Super Mario Galaxy Movie Easter egg; it played a significant role in the broader narrative and contributed greatly to the film’s overall appeal.
Nintendo is leveraging it’s films to promote it’s other products across various platforms. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie was launched following the release of the Super Mario Galaxy games on the Nintendo Switch, and in the week before the movie’s debut, the 2023 title Super Mario Bros. Wonder received a substantial paid upgrade for the Switch 2.
A movie based on Donkey Kong is reportedly in development, following the success of last year’s Donkey Kong Bananza. Additionally, it seems highly likely that more cinematic escapades featuring the Star Fox team are also being considered by Nintendo.
Nintendo is clearly expanding the Star Fox brand, especially following Fox’s cameo in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. With potential theme park attractions, additional video games, films, and other multimedia projects on the horizon, this upcoming video game is just a glimpse of a much larger brand strategy.