Super Mario Galaxy Movie Hits Peacock on July 30, Already a Box Office Hit
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is set to land on Peacock on July 30, with the date now showing up on Peacock’s dedicated page for Illumination’s follow-up to the Mario film.
Peacock date and box office standing
So far, the sequel has become the top-grossing movie of the year. It’s also the first—and so far the only—2026 release to push past the $1 billion mark worldwide at the box office.
As of the latest figures reported at the time of writing, the movie has earned more than $429 million domestically and just over $1 billion globally. The film wrapped up its theater run earlier this month and, despite that strong total, it hasn’t matched the $1.3 billion performance of the original movie—an earlier Illumination Mario release that’s also available on Peacock.
Release timeline and critical reception
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie originally hit theaters on April 1. After a full 45-day window in cinemas, it later became available digitally, and it received a Blu-ray release in mid-June.
Reviews have been mixed in a specific way: one published take gives the film a 6/10, praising some elements while pointing to a weaker narrative core than what audiences may have expected. Shigeru Miyamoto—who had been strongly associated with the first film’s positive reception—also addressed the less enthusiastic response this time around. He said, “I thought the critics’ reviews of the first film were understandable. But I thought this time it would be different… and it was even harsher than last time, which I found strange (laughs).”
New characters, quick Star Fox tease, and what’s next for Nintendo/Illumination
The movie brought in fresh performers and characters, with Anya Taylor-Joy taking on the role of Rosalina. Her appearance comes with a brand-new back-story that’s now treated as canon. Donald Glover voices Yoshi, while Glenn Powell appears as Star Fox.
Star Fox fans got a particularly time-sensitive reveal: Powell’s casting was brought out just before the film’s premiere, which then fed into a Star Fox summer. That momentum ultimately led to a Star Fox 64 remake launching on Switch 2.
- Peacock streaming for the sequel begins July 30
- The film holds the position of the year’s top-grossing movie
- It is the only 2026 release reported to have crossed $1 billion so far
- Domestic earnings are over $429 million, with worldwide totals just over $1 billion
- It did not reach the original movie’s $1.3 billion box office mark
Future collaborations and upcoming Nintendo movie slate
No official follow-up announcement has been made yet regarding the next Nintendo and Illumination partnership. Still, Universal has reportedly placed a “theoretical” project involving both studios on its 2028 release schedule.
Rumors have pointed toward a Donkey Kong-focused movie, while Jack Black has suggested he’s already committed to a third Mario installment.
Regardless of any future Illumination plans, the next Nintendo-related movie will not involve that duo. The live-action Zelda film—produced in partnership with Sony Pictures—has a release date of April 30, 2027.
Illumination’s 2026 slate: Minions and Monsters lands in theaters
While Nintendo/Illumination’s next move remains unconfirmed, Illumination has another major 2026 release already underway. Minions and Monsters, the third Minions movie tied to the Despicable Me franchise, has premiered in theaters.
Early reactions are strongly positive. A review published with an 8/10 describes the film as using the banana-loving characters to deliver an homage to early Hollywood, alongside a broader celebration of cinema and storytelling. It’s also sitting at 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is described as the animation studio’s highest-ever rating.
Blythe (she/her) is an Audience Development Coordinator at IGN who, when she isn’t following streaming news, spends way too much time in character customization screens and tracking down collectibles.
