While the sequel races toward box office glory, the original film that started it all is enjoying a major streaming renaissance. Anya Taylor-Joy's The Super Mario Bros. Movie has blasted its way back into the cultural conversation, securing a spot in Netflix's global Top 10 movie charts for April 2026. This resurgence comes as its successor, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, continues its own successful theatrical run, proving the enduring power of Nintendo's iconic plumbers on screen.
A Billion-Dollar Legacy Revisited
The 2023 animated phenomenon, featuring the voice talents of Chris Pratt as Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, was a historic hit. It smashed records to become the highest-grossing video game adaptation of all time, raking in over $1.3 billion worldwide and earning a stellar 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film's success didn't just make studio executives happy—it fundamentally changed the game for Nintendo's cinematic ambitions, greenlighting a whole universe of projects.
"The first film's triumph was a watershed moment," notes industry analyst Maria Chen. "It proved that with the right creative team, video game movies could be both critical darlings and global blockbusters. That billion-dollar confidence directly led to the sequel we're seeing now and paved the way for other adaptations like the live-action Legend of Zelda film."
Streaming Success in the Sequel's Shadow
This past weekend, as audiences flocked to see Mario and Luigi's latest cosmic adventure, many also revisited the beginning of their journey. The Super Mario Bros. Movie climbed to #9 on Netflix's worldwide charts, demonstrating a classic streaming synergy effect often seen when a new installment drives interest in its predecessors. For those who missed it the first time, the film follows the Brooklyn plumber brothers who are transported to the Mushroom Kingdom via a magical warp pipe, only to be separated. Mario must team up with Princess Peach and her loyal Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) to rescue Luigi from the clutches of the lovestruck, fire-breathing tyrant Bowser (Jack Black).
This isn't the first time Anya Taylor-Joy has been part of a project with remarkable staying power. Over a decade ago, she helped forge A24's horror legacy with her breakout role in The Witch, a film that also enjoys periodic streaming resurgences.
How Does the Sequel Stack Up?
The new film, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, finds the brothers facing a new threat: Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie), who is on a mission to free his imprisoned father and capture the mysterious Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson). The critical reception has been more mixed than for the first outing, with a Rotten Tomatoes critics score of 43% juxtaposed against a strong 89% audience score. Reviewers like Collider's Ross Bonaime have praised it as a "love letter to Nintendo" filled with Easter eggs for fans, but some found the narrative a step down from the original's tight adventure.
Despite the divided critical opinions, the sequel is a undeniable commercial hit, having already grossed over $628 million globally and showing no signs of slowing down. Its performance reinforces the franchise's status as a multimedia juggernaut.
The Bigger Picture for Streaming and Studios
The simultaneous success of the sequel in theaters and the original on Netflix highlights a modern entertainment paradigm. Major franchise titles now have extended lifespans across multiple platforms, generating revenue and engagement years after their initial release. This kind of performance gives studios like Universal and Illumination, as well as partner Nintendo, tremendous leverage and confidence for future projects.
It's a strategy other studios are keen to replicate. Similar to how Paramount is doubling down on proven hits with shows like Taylor Sheridan's 'The Madison', the Mario franchise demonstrates the value of building a reliable, audience-friendly universe. For viewers, it means more high-quality, big-budget adventures are on the horizon, not just from Nintendo, but from every studio with a beloved catalog of characters.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is currently playing in theaters worldwide. You can stream the original The Super Mario Bros. Movie in the United States on Peacock, and its current Netflix availability varies by region.
