The hugely popular Nintendo video game adaptation by Illumination and Universal set numerous records, including the largest-ever global opening for an animated picture.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie broke multiple records in its opening throughout North America and 70 overseas markets over the long Easter holiday weekend, providing a massive triumph for the movie office as it continues to level off following the pandemic.
Even the most optimistic projections were blown out of the water by the film’s $204.6 million domestic opening ($5-9) total, which included $146.4 million for the three-day weekend. It brought in $171 million overseas for a total start of $377 million worldwide, the highest performance of the year thus far on all fronts.
$NTDOY The Super Mario Bros. Movie smashed box office expectations, grossing $204.6M domestically and $377M globally. It boosted movie-theater stocks, including $AMC, Cinemark, Imax, and Nintendo. pic.twitter.com/Jxa1qi5I11
— Stocktwits (@Stocktwits) April 10, 2023
Because to the fans of all ages who have played the Super Mario Bros. franchise and its various spin-offs over the years, the adaptation of the venerable Nintendo video game felt more like an all-audience tentpole than a PG-rated animated family film.
Jim Orr, head of domestic distribution for Universal, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, president of international distribution for Universal, oversaw the film’s release. “Nintendo and Shigeru Miyamoto’s Mario has been a cultural icon that has enthralled generations,” Orr adds. This weekend, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” attracted a sizable and passionate audience to theaters worldwide.
The announcement of a sequel from Illumination, parent company Universal, and collaborator Nintendo is certainly not far off. Chris Meledandri’s Illumination Entertainment, which also produces the popular animated series Despicable Me and Minions, has scored another victory with Super Mario.
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The Super Mario Bros Movie set records are adjusted for inflation
- Biggest Worldwide Opening of All Time for an Animated Film
Frozen Two by Walt Disney Animation, which debuted in theaters worldwide in November 2019 and earned $358 million before the COVID-19 incident, was bypassed by Super Mario. The pandemic era’s fourth-highest-grossing animated film is already Super Mario, with Universal taking all four slots (the studio owns Illumination and DreamWorks Animation).
Minions head the ranking: The Rise of Gru ($942.5 million), then Puss in Boots: The Final Wish ($480.4 million), and Sing 2 ($412.8 million). Mario might be the first movie to gross $1 billion in 2023 if things continue this way.
- Second-Biggest Domestic Opening of All Time for an Animated Film
The humorous adventure outperformed Finding Dory ($135.1 million) from Pixar to finish second only to Incredibles 2 ($183 million) among the top weekend openings.
- Second-Biggest International Opening of All Time for an Animated Film
With a $228.2 million foreign premiere, Frozen 2 is still the top film. The most significant animated opening of all time in Mexico ($27.4 million), the best-ever start for a Universal film, and the third-best start for a Hollywood film were just a few of the records that Super Mario undoubtedly set abroad.
It had the highest video game adaption start in 42 markets, the most excellent Illumination start in 27 markets, and the most significant Universal start in 10 places, including previews. It also had the best-animated opening in 10 other foreign markets, including Brazil ($6.9 million).
- Biggest Opening of All Time for a Video Game Adaptation
Although there have been recent success stories, highlighted by Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog series, Hollywood has historically struggled with the genre. With a three-day domestic debut of $72.1 million, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 previously held the top spot among video game adaptations for best openings (considered a considerable sum, considering the box office recovery was still in its early days.)
Super Mario outperformed Warcraft ($210 million) in like-for-like markets to earn the most significant global debut of any video game adaptation. Sonic 2’s foreign release was staggered, making comparisons impossible.
- Biggest Opening of 2023 to Date
To beat a Marvel superhero movie is an impressive feat. Nonetheless, Super Mario managed to surpass Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which made $225.3 million in its worldwide opening, including $106.1 million in North America and $117.1 million abroad. Despite being the greatest in the series, Quantumania lost steam shortly.
- Top Opening in Illumination’s History
At $208 million in comparable markets, Despicable Me 2 was previously Illumination’s most significant international release. The best domestic opening, Minions, earned $115.7 million during a three-day weekend.
- Fourth Biggest Global Day-and-Date Opening in Universal History
The only movies to have made more are Furious 7 ($398 million), Jurassic World ($525 million), and Fast 8: The Fate of the Furious ($543 million).
- Top Five-Day Domestic Opening for a Wednesday-Sunday Launch
With $200.1 million, Transformers: The Revenge of the Fallen held the previous record.
- Top Animated Opening of All Time for Imax
The premium large-format exhibitor raked in both records, $21.6 million internationally and $16.6 million locally. Super Mario achieved all-time Imax bests for an animated picture in 22 markets, including the UK, Germany, Brazil, and Mexico. In Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Curacao, it achieved all-time Imax bests for any movie.