“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” has become a box office phenomenon, crossing the $500 million mark in global earnings. The animated adaptation of the iconic video game now boasts $260.3 million in domestic earnings and $248.4 million internationally, with a combined worldwide total of $508.7 million.
This massive success makes it the highest-grossing film of 2023 globally and domestically, surpassing “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” More significantly, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” now holds the title of the biggest video game adaptation in history, outperforming “Warcraft” and “Pokémon: Detective Pikachu.”
A Collaborative Triumph
The film was produced by Universal, Illumination, and Nintendo, after spending decades in development limbo. Nintendo’s initial reluctance to revisit the Mushroom Kingdom on the big screen stemmed from the disastrous 1993 live-action adaptation.
However, the collaboration between Illumination (known for the “Despicable Me” and “Sing” franchises) and Nintendo, led by Illumination founder Chris Meledandri and legendary Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto, ensured that the iconic plumber duo Mario and Luigi was done justice.
Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” features an all-star voice cast, including Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black.
With a production budget of $100 million, the movie was relatively economical for an animated film, as Pixar and Disney productions often cost twice as much.
Impressive Milestones
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” has reached several milestones, including becoming the second-biggest animated film since 2019 regarding worldwide box office revenue. It now surpasses “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train” ($494 million) and trails only “Minions: The Rise of Gru” ($942.5 million). As the movie continues to dominate, announcing a sequel or spinoff seems inevitable.
After just nine days in theaters, the film has already become the number-one release of 2023 globally. Furthermore, it has overtaken “Warcraft” and “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” as the highest-grossing video game adaptation ever.
The movie’s international success is evident, with top-performing markets including Mexico ($40 million), the UK & Ireland ($35 million), Germany ($21.5 million), France ($15.2 million), and Australia ($14.8 million).
With a clear path ahead and upcoming releases in the Middle East, Korea, and Japan, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is on track to break even more records.
A Beloved Franchise Translated to Film
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” has managed to capture the essence of the beloved video game franchise, bringing the adventures of Mario and Luigi to life on the big screen.
The film’s success can be attributed to the careful collaboration between the movie’s producers, who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the adaptation stays true to the original source material.
By blending nostalgia with contemporary storytelling and animation techniques, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” has resonated with fans of all ages.
A Boost for the Video Game Adaptation Genre
The success of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” has not only broken box office records but also given the video game adaptation genre a much-needed boost.
As the highest-grossing video game adaptation in history, it demonstrates that with the right creative approach and collaboration, video game franchises can indeed translate well to the big screen. This success may pave the way for future video game adaptations, potentially inspiring studios to explore other popular franchises.
The Future of the Franchise
Given the record-breaking performance of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” it seems likely that the franchise will continue to expand.
The upcoming release of the movie in additional international markets, such as the Middle East, Korea, and Japan, indicates that a vast audience is still eager to experience the Mushroom Kingdom’s adventures.
As anticipation builds for a sequel or spinoff, fans can only hope the franchise’s future remains true to the characters and worlds they have come to know and love.
