The Super Mario Bros. Movie is on the move, but we're pleased not to be reporting on a delay for once! Those have become the norm since the pandemic, unfortunately, but Illumination has just shifted its animated take on the beloved Nintendo property from Friday, April 7 to Wednesday, April 5.
Okay, so it's only a difference of two days, but it's a smart move on the studio's part.
Shifting from Good Friday, The Super Mario Bros. Movie now has an extra couple of days to earn money at the box office before the Easter weekend and, perhaps less importantly, Star Wars Celebration. A five-day opening means a bigger debut and Illumination's parent company, Universal Pictures, is no doubt banking on this being a huge hit.
After all, it has the potential to spawn all manner of spin-offs and sequels and now feels like a good time to capitalise on Mario's popularity following the recent opening of Super Nintendo World in the Universal Studios theme parks.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie will open wide in more than 60 markets across the world and is set to arrive in Japan on April 28 in time for the Golden Week Holidays.
From Nintendo and Illumination comes a new animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros.
Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic (Teen Titans Go!, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies) from a screenplay by Matthew Fogel (Minions: The Rise of Gru), the film stars Chris Pratt as Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Jack Black as Bowser, as Toad, Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek, and Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is set to be released in theaters on April 7 April 5, 2023.