Universal’s The Super Mario Galaxy Movie powered the Easter weekend box office to its strongest showing of 2026, opening to $130.9 million over three days and driving the total frame to $195.7 million. That’s just shy of last year’s comparable weekend, which hit $202.4 million, and a clear sign that theatrical momentum is back.
The win is even more significant in context. Over the last four weeks, the box office is up 77% year over year, with attendance climbing 72%, marking a sharp rebound from 2025’s sluggish start.
Universal once again executed its holiday corridor playbook, opening Mario Galaxy midweek ahead of Easter. The strategy paid off immediately. The sequel has already grossed $190.1 million domestically and $372.5 million worldwide in its first five days, making it the biggest debut of the year so far.
While it’s running slightly behind 2023’s The Super Mario Brothers Movie, which ultimately reached $574.9 million domestically and $1.36 billion globally, is still a massive success. Produced for $110 million, it has already crossed its profitability threshold. Critics have been lukewarm, but audiences continue to show up, with an 89% audience score reinforcing the franchise’s staying power.
In second place, Amazon MGM’s Project Hail Mary continues its strong run, adding $30.7 million in its third weekend for a domestic total of $217.2 million and $420.7 million worldwide. The Ryan Gosling-led sci-fi film has benefited from strong word of mouth and minimal drop-off, falling just 43% weekend to weekend.
The film has been widely praised for balancing its science-heavy source material with accessibility, and Gosling’s performance is already being positioned as a potential awards contender. His ability to carry the film largely solo has drawn comparisons to Castaway, reinforcing his status as one of the industry’s most bankable leads.
A24’s The Drama opened in third place with $14.4 million domestically and $28 million globally. Starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, the film leans into psychological tension rather than traditional romantic comedy beats, offering a more unsettling take on relationships.
Critics and audiences are largely aligned, with scores in the high 70s and low 80s. Made for $28 million, the film will need continued word-of-mouth to reach its estimated $70 million break-even point, but its awards positioning and star power could help sustain its run.
Disney and Pixar’s Hoppers dropped to fourth place, bringing in $5.8 million in its fifth weekend. The film has now reached $149.6 million domestically and $332.2 million worldwide. While its theatrical run is beginning to slow, it remains a solid performer and part of a larger pipeline of family content that continues to drive consistent audience turnout.
Rounding out the top five, Universal’s Reminders of Him added $2.2 million in its fourth weekend, bringing its domestic total to $45.4 million and $79.1 million globally. The romantic drama continues to show staying power, holding its position despite new competition and reinforcing the ongoing viability of book-to-screen adaptations in the marketplace.
The bigger picture is clear. Family films and event-driven releases are once again anchoring the box office, while strong holdovers and counterprogramming are filling out the slate. With Michael and The Devil Wears Prada 2 on deck, the industry is entering a stretch that could define the trajectory of 2026.
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Project Hail Mary leads surging Box Office weekend
