“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” key art.
Universal Pictures/Illumination Entertainment
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is reportedly coming soon to digital streaming even though it has mounted a blockbuster run in theaters.
Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie opened in theaters nationwide on April 1. The film features the return of Mario (voice of Chris Pratt), Luigi (Charlie Day). and Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) from 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, as well as Peach’s pal, Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), and the villainous Bowser (Jack Black).
Based on Nintendo’s 2007 hit Super Mario Galaxy video game, the new Super Mario film introduces Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie), who kidnaps Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson) in the comet observatory across the galaxy. After receiving word that Rosalina — who is Peach’s long-lost sister — has vanished, Peach and Toad embark on an intergalactic mission to save her. Not far behind them, though, are Mario and Luigi, along with their new dinosaur friend and ally, Yoshi (Donald Glover).
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will be released on digital streaming via premium video on demand on Tuesday, May 5, according to When to Stream. While When to Stream is typically accurate with its streaming reports, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s studio, Universal Pictures, has not announced or confirmed the release date and it is subject to change.
The film will be available on PVOD for $24.99 on several digital platforms, including Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video and YouTube.Movies & TV. Since digital rentals are typically $5 less than purchase prices, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie should be available as a 48-hour rental on PVOD for $19.99.
The Pending ‘Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ PVOD Release Fits Within Universal’s New Theatrical To Digital Video Window
Since The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has been a blockbuster hit for Universal Pictures since its April 1 release — it has made $831.4 million worldwide against its $110 million production budget before marketing, per The Numbers — a May 5 release date seems to be a bit premature given the film’s massive success.
At the same time, the film’s reported release date fits within Universal’s new theatrical-to-digital streaming window, which was announced on March 12. According to Variety, the studio now promises to keep its films in theaters for a minimum of five weekends before releasing them on PVOD. Prior to the change, Universal was releasing its films on PVOD as soon as 18 days — or three weekends — after they premiered in theaters domestically.
The new five-weekend window began with Universal’s release of the movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s romance novel Reminders of Him, which was released on PVOD on April 14, and the studio appears to be putting into play again for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. In a move that is sure to please theater owners even more, Universal promised in its March announcement that it was extending its theatrical to PVOD window to seven weekends in 2027.
Oddly enough, there was a six-weekend window between the time The Super Mario Bros. movie opened in theaters on April 5, 2023, and arrived on PVOD on May 16, 2023.
By contrast, 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie earned $490.8 million through its first four weekend frames, whereas The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has earned $386.4 million by the end of its fourth weekend in North American theaters. Whether the difference in the numbers between the original film and its sequel has anything to do with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s release on PVOD after five weekends in theaters instead of six is something only Universal can explain.
Rated PG, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is still playing in theaters and is reportedly coming to PVOD on May 5.