Get ready to grab those Power Stars, folks! Fresh off the success of the first film, Nintendo and Illumination have announced a sequel – Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 is officially a go! Mark your calendars for a thrilling return to the Mushroom Kingdom, scheduled for release on April 3rd, 2026, in the US and many other markets.

The announcement, made during a recent Mario Day event, sent shivers of excitement down the spines of fans everywhere. Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary creator of Mario himself, shared the news in a video message, hinting at an even grander adventure this time around. “We’re thinking about broadening Mario’s world further,” Miyamoto teased, suggesting the introduction of new characters or locations from the beloved video game franchise.

While plot details remain under wraps, one thing’s for sure: the team behind the first movie is reuniting to bring Mario’s next cinematic journey to life. Illumination, the animation studio responsible for global hits like Despicable Me and Minions, will once again collaborate with Nintendo to produce the film. The first movie’s directors, Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, are also returning to helm the project, along with screenwriter Matthew Fogel.

The original Super Mario Bros. Movie took audiences by storm in 2023, becoming a critical and commercial darling. Praised for its animation, voice acting (Chris Pratt as Mario!), and faithful recreation of the Mario universe, the film left fans wanting more. With the all-star team back in action and the promise of an expanded world, Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 has the potential to be even bigger and better than its predecessor.

So, what kind of challenges might await Mario and Luigi in their next outing? Will we finally see them face off against their nemesis, Wario? Perhaps they’ll team up with Yoshi for a side-scrolling adventure, or maybe even venture beyond the Mushroom Kingdom to explore the vibrant worlds of Donkey Kong Country or Sarasaland. Only time will tell, but one thing’s certain: the wait for Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 is sure to be filled with speculation, excitement, and plenty of “Wahoo!”s.