The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has powered the Australian box office over the Easter long weekend, delivering the biggest opening weekend of 2026 and helping push total revenue to $25.88 million.
Across the Thursday to Monday period, the box office marked the second-biggest Easter long weekend of the decade, up 52% compared to the same period last year.
Mario leads the charge
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie proved cinema’s enduring pull, drawing 446,000 admissions and generating $9.44 million at the Australian box office up to Sunday, outperforming every other release so far this year.
Globally, the film has also delivered record-breaking results, ranking as the fifth-biggest animated opening of all time and the second-largest global opening for a video game adaptation, surpassing The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Family audiences dominate
The results highlight the continued strength of family-driven audiences, with titles including The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, The Magic Far Away Tree, Hoppers, and GOAT accounting for 57% of total box office revenue.
Guy Burbidge
Guy Burbidge, Managing Director of Val Morgan Cinema, said family audiences remain a powerful force.
“The value of family audiences is unmatched, particularly during periods like Easter when families are actively looking for ways to spend time together,” he said.
“In our recent family study, we found that cinema remains one of the last places where families truly come together to connect.”
Strong start to 2026
The Easter performance caps a strong start to the year, with total admissions up 16% year-on-year, marking the biggest first quarter for Australian cinema since 2020.
Burbidge said momentum is expected to continue across the year.
“The box office is off to its strongest start we’ve seen in years… backed by a diverse and consistent release slate of both original content and highly successful franchises,” he said.
Blockbuster slate ahead
Upcoming releases expected to sustain momentum include Michael, The Devil Wears Prada 2, The Mandalorian and Grogu, Toy Story 5, Minions & Monsters, Supergirl, Moana, The Odyssey, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
“There’s never been a better time for brands to be part of cinema and align with this calibre of content,” Burbidge added.
Main image: Super Mario Galaxy Movie still