This summer has been a roller coaster for the box office, with a melange of smashes and flops. However, one film has proven to be a marathoner rather than a sprinter – The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The beloved family movie has remained steadfastly popular in theatres for over three months. It’s an illuminating production based on Nintendo’s globally adored franchise of the same name.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie has recently reached a significant milestone, having amassed a staggering $770 million internationally, including $1.5 million this past weekend alone. Impressively, this only represents a 29% drop, despite being screened in 81 territories across 1921 locations.
In its domestic market, the Mario saga raked in an additional $70,000 this past weekend in its 18th week, marking a mere 13% drop in 161 territories. This success brought the film’s cumulative domestic revenue to an eye-popping $573.9 million. Having garnered a whopping $1.34 billion globally, Super Mario stands alone as the only film in 2023 to cross the billion-dollar threshold, despite formidable competitors.
The movie’s steadfast performance at the box office has allowed it to carve out a historical niche. It has become the highest-grossing Illumination film ever, the third highest-grossing Universal film, the second highest-grossing animated film just behind Frozen II, and the top-grossing film based on a video game.
What Fueled Super Mario’s Triumph?
In an era when nostalgia seems to have lost its movie magic, Super Mario stood tall. Its global recognizability played an immense part in its success. The ubiquity of the Super Mario brand is unparalleled, whether it’s the late ’80s Batman craze or the Pokémon mania of the late ’90s. The unmistakable figure of the world’s favorite Italian plumber adorns numerous merchandise, from lunch boxes to backpacks.
The current Nintendo console, the hybrid home/portable Nintendo Switch, boasts most of the classic Mario games. This includes iconic titles like Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Mario Kart 8, alongside contemporary masterpieces such as Super Mario Odyssey. All these games have been released in the past six years, keeping the Mario brand in the limelight.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s faithful adaptation of its source material, combined with a concerted effort by Nintendo to maintain Mario’s presence in the public eye leading up to the movie’s release, undoubtedly contributed to its success. While franchises like Indiana Jones and DC may seem to be on the wane, Mario is in the zenith of his popularity despite a legacy of nearly 40 years.
This enduring popularity explains why the film continues to draw audiences to the box office, despite being available for home viewing for several weeks. The character of Mario bridges generations, offering shared enjoyment for families who can watch the film and then continue their adventure battling Bowler on their Switch consoles at home. This level of engagement and loyalty is not artificially constructed or acquired; it’s hard-earned through decades of trust and consistently excellent releases by Nintendo. In many ways, everything Nintendo has achieved with the current console generation has paved the way for Super Mario’s box-office dominance.
Where to Watch Super Mario Bros. Movie?
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is currently available for home viewing digitally and on Blu-ray. For those who prefer the big screen, it continues to be screened at select theaters. Starting August 3, the movie will also be available for streaming on Peacock.
Conclusion
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a shining example of how enduringly popular franchises, when handled with care and respect for the source material, can triumph in the ever-evolving cinematic landscape. Its success speaks to the power of a universally cherished character, the magic of well-executed nostalgia, and the promise of continuing adventures, even after the credits roll. This magic, combined with smart marketing, a quality product, and an adoring, multigenerational fanbase, has led to an impressive performance at the box office, setting records and outperforming competitors. Super Mario’s tale of success is a testament to the indomitable spirit of Nintendo’s most beloved character and the enduring appeal of quality family films.
