‘Super Mario Galaxy’ and ‘Project Hail Mary’ Drive a Record Post-Pandemic Box Office Surge

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 02:40:00 +0200

Two high-profile releases — the 'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' and 'Project Hail Mary' — have combined to deliver the strongest box office results in seven years, according to industry trackers. Variety reports that the 'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' has become the top-grossing film of 2026 so far, earning $629 million globally and expected to surpass $1 billion. Meanwhile, Andy Weir’s adaptation 'Project Hail Mary,' starring Ryan Gosling, has racked up over $510 million in just four weeks. Together, these films have pushed overall box office revenue to $2.113 billion for the first part of 2026, up 25% from the previous year and reaching levels not seen since before the pandemic in 2019.

Despite mixed reviews — only 43% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes — the 'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' has earned strong audience approval, with an 89% audience score and 'Verified Hot' status, signaling strong word-of-mouth momentum. 'Project Hail Mary' has attracted attention for its scientific themes and emotio