Nintendo kicked off today’s Nintendo Direct without wasting any time to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Super Mario Bros. franchise.

First released in 1985, the classic NES title helped kickstart the love affair with video games for many, and what better way to celebrate that franchise than with yet another Mario movie? After all, the first one made well over $1 billion.

We already knew that a second movie was in the works, especially with the post-credits tease of the inclusion of Yoshi in a sequel.

It turns out that we may be getting even more characters, some of whom are not of this world.

The Super Mario Bros. Galaxy Movie Is Coming April 3rd, 2026

Nintendo showcased a brief teaser for the new Super Mario Bros. movie, confirming that it is indeed titled The Super Mario Bros. Galaxy Movie. It will be released on April 3, 2026.

It’s an opportunity to reflect on the four decades of creativity, imagination, and adventure that Mario has brought to life for fans across generations and across the world,” said producer Chris Meledandri of Illumination. “From its groundbreaking worldbuilding to its iconic character and unforgettable music, the Super Mario Bros. have left a lasting impact on our culture.”

Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed the returning cast coming to the movie:

  • Chris Pratt as Mario
  • Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach
  • Charlie Day as Luigi
  • Jack Black as Bowser
  • Keegan-Michael Key as Toad
  • Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek

The original film also featured Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong and Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong; there’s no confirmation yet that they are returning.

One thing, in particular, is that no new cast members or characters were announced. Super Mario Galaxy introduced fans to Rosalina, so her inclusion in the movie is all but expected. There’s the recent emphasis from Nintendo on the Paulina character, so not including her would feel like a massive misstep.

As for who else we can expect to see in The Super Mario Bros. Galaxy Movie, it seems like the sky’s the limit. In October 2024, Keegan-Michael Key told Men’s Journal that the sequel will feature “Some new folks that are old favorites and some folks that I think are really deep.”