The First Super Mario Galaxy Movie Trailer Is Here, and It Looks Stellar

 

By Jon Scarr

Nintendo and Illumination took fans to the stars with the world premiere of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie trailer during a special The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Direct earlier today. The new trailer gave us our first real look at Mario’s next big-screen adventure, and it’s shaping up to be another hit for Nintendo and Illumination.

If you missed the first announcement back in September, you can check out our coverage here. That’s when Shigeru Miyamoto revealed the film as part of the Super Mario Bros. 40th Anniversary celebration. Today’s Direct expanded on that reveal in a big way, giving fans a full trailer packed with new characters, returning favourites, and plenty of space-faring action.

Heading to the stars

The trailer opens with Mario and Luigi poking fun at a tiny Bowser, still shrunk down after his defeat in the 2023 film. It doesn’t take long for the action to take off, though, as Mario, Peach, Luigi, and Toad watch a sky full of shooting stars before launching into space. Fans of the Super Mario Galaxy games will recognize the nods right away, from the star-filled landscapes to the gravity-defying worlds.

We see several distinct planets, including one made entirely of water and another with upside-down pyramids straight out of Super Mario Odyssey. The trailer teases fast-paced sequences of Mario and Luigi speeding across planets on bikes and teaming up for intergalactic challenges that clearly draw inspiration from multiple eras of Mario history.

New characters join the adventure

Alongside returning stars Chris Pratt (Mario), Anya Taylor-Joy (Princess Peach), Charlie Day (Luigi), Jack Black (Bowser), Keegan-Michael Key (Toad), and Kevin Michael Richardson (Kamek), today’s trailer confirmed two major new cast members. Nintendo and Illumination also announced in a joint press release that Brie Larson will voice Princess Rosalina, the fan-favourite cosmic protector from the Galaxy games, and Benny Safdie will voice Bowser Jr., Bowser’s son and the film’s new main villain.

Bowser Jr. wields a magical paintbrush, reminiscent of Super Mario Sunshine, which lets him coat himself in metal and create chaos across the galaxy. Meanwhile, Rosalina shows off her powers in style, taking down a massive mechanical enemy using her wand. It’s clear both characters will play huge roles in the story. And, seeing Brie Larson bring Rosalina to life feels like perfect casting.

The creative team returns

Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic are back behind the camera, joined again by screenwriter Matthew Fogel and composer Brian Tyler. Illumination’s founder and CEO Chris Meledandri said the animation is just weeks away from completion and praised the team’s work as “stunning.” Judging by the trailer’s visual polish and energy, that statement feels spot-on.

Mark Your Calendars for April 2026

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie launches in theatres on April 3, 2026, in North America and other regions, with Japan’s release following on April 24. Given how successful The Super Mario Bros. Movie was, grossing more than $1.3 billion worldwide, expectations couldn’t be higher.

As a lifelong Nintendo and Mario fan, this trailer hit me right in the childhood. My family and I absolutely loved the first movie, and now that we’ve seen Mario and Peach heading into space, our excitement’s through the roof. The colours, energy, and sense of adventure look incredible. If the finished movie captures even half of what today’s trailer teased, we’re in for something special next April. Nintendo and Illumination also confirmed that additional characters and cast members will be announced at a later date.