John Paul M. Joaquin Culture 04.10.2023 08:Apr AM EDT

The Super Mario Bros. Movie Is Now the Highest-Grossing Video Game Movie

"The Super Mario Bros. Movie" has broken another record.

The now-popular movie recently became the highest-grossing opening weekend for any video game-based movie with its domestic and global takings since its release.

"Sonic the Hedgehog 2" previously held the title for quite some time in 2022, with it earning more than enough to beat its predecessor, which Paramount released in 2020, per Collider.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie Sales Records

"The Super Mario Bros. Movie" has hit success with moviegoers and fans of the Italian plumber worldwide. According to an Engadget report, the movie raked in just over $146 million domestically while garnering more than $377 million globally, making it the biggest opening of 2023 so far.

Deadline's article also mentioned that the movie's achievements make it the highest-grossing opening weekend for any video game-based movie, surpassing "Sonic the Hedgehog 2's" record, which earned $141 million during the same period.

The movie's achievements don't stop there: it also ranks third behind "Batman vs. Superman" and "Furious 7" when it comes to Easter weekend openings, with the movie earning as much as $138 million, per CBR. For context, "Batman vs. Superman" earned $181 million, while "Furious 7" earned $161 million.

According to Universal Domestic Distribution Chief Jim Orr, the movie's success was due to the "incredible partnership" between Nintendo and Shigeru Miyamoto's iconic characters and Illumination and Chris Meledandri's "unbeatable filmmaking and storytelling prowess." He added that audiences of all ages and backgrounds flocked to theaters to "revel in this extraordinary big-screen celebration."

38% of the movie's weekend domestic box office came from IMAX, PLF, motion seats, and 3D screen, with the last making up 15% of the movie's gross. Meanwhile, the movie is IMAX's highest opening of all time for an animated movie, with it raking in $21.6 million for it; the amount includes the stateside record made at the 403 auditoriums.

Whether this success guarantees a sequel is still anybody's guess, but it seems highly likely that Illumination and Nintendo will make one in the future. It is also probable that the movie opened the gates to more big-budget adaptations of popular Nintendo properties, though which going onto the big screen next is anyone's guess at this point.

The Super Mario Bros. Details

Produced by Illumination, "The Super Mario Bros. Movie' is based on the much-loved video game franchise Mario. The film stars Chris Pratt as the titular character; a decision that was met with much criticism when it was first announced.

The movie follows the story of the iconic plumber brothers Mario and Luigi, played by Charlie Day, as they turn from failing plumbers from Brooklyn to heroes of the Mushroom Kingdom as they face down Bowser alongside Princess Peach, played by Anya Taylor-Joy.

The movie is the first movie adaptation following the live-action "Super Maro Bros." in 1993, which saw Mario and Luigi find themselves in a dystopic parallel universe that is as far from its source material as a chicken is to a T.rex.