Super Mario Bros Movie 2: Sequel, LGBTQ & Streaming

When The Super Mario Bros. Movie sprinted into theaters on April 5, 2023, it became one of the year’s biggest box-office stories. The film earned $1.361 billion worldwide, according to IMDb, and introduced Mario to a new generation. Now, with whispers of a 2026 sequel and questions about LGBTQ representation, fans are looking for answers that haven’t come yet.

Rumored release (sequel): April 1, 2026 (IMDb) · 2023 film box office: $1.361B (IMDb) · RT Tomatometer: 59% (Rotten Tomatoes) · Runtime: 92 minutes (IMDb) · Directors: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic (IMDb) · Production: Illumination, Nintendo (IMDb)

Seven key points about the franchise’s recent history and future speculation.

The table shows a clear pattern: the 2023 film’s data is solid, but the sequel column remains empty.

Is there a new Mario movie coming out in 2026?

When is the release date?

• A YouTube trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie includes the line “Only in theaters April 1” (YouTube – Official Trailer).
• IMDb lists an April 3, 2026 release date for the United States (IMDb).
• Wikipedia states the film premiered in Kyoto on March 28, 2026, and releases theatrically in the US on April 1, 2026 (Wikipedia).

These dates come from unverified sources. Nintendo and Illumination have not confirmed any date. The pattern: The 2023 film also released in April, so a spring window is plausible, but nothing is official.

Who is directing the sequel?

• The official trailer credits returning directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic (YouTube – Official Trailer).
• The same trailer lists Matthew Fogel (screenplay) and Brian Tyler (score) returning (YouTube – Official Trailer).

If true, this would maintain continuity with the 2023 team.

Will the original voice cast return?

• The trailer includes Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Benny Safdie, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Brie Larson (YouTube – Official Trailer).
• No official confirmation from any actor’s representatives or the studio.

The implication: If the trailer is authentic, the core cast is back. But the publisher’s silence leaves room for doubt.

Who is LGBTQ in Mario?

Is Yoshi LGBTQ?

• Yoshi’s ability to lay eggs (regardless of gender) has fueled fan theories about gender ambiguity (Wikipedia – Yoshi article).
• Nintendo has never officially commented on Yoshi’s gender or sexual orientation.

Is there any LGBTQ representation in the Mario franchise?

• No mainline Mario game has featured an explicitly LGBTQ character (Peacock Blog).
• The 2023 film includes no LGBTQ themes or characters.

What does Nintendo say about LGBTQ characters?

• Nintendo has not released any public statement regarding LGBTQ representation in the Mario universe.
• Industry analysts note that Japanese game companies often avoid social identity topics.

Why this matters: With the sequel rumor gaining traction, the question of representation may resurface. Without official communication, speculation will persist.

Can I watch the 2026 Mario movie at home?

Will it be on Netflix?

• Wikipedia reports that the 2026 film will first stream on Peacock for four months, then move to Netflix for ten months, then return to Peacock (Wikipedia).
• That pattern matches Universal’s existing deal with Netflix for animated films.

Is it streaming anywhere yet?

• The official sequel website says “Watch at Home on Digital Now” (The Super Mario Galaxy Movie official site).
• No Netflix or Peacock listing confirmed as of now.

Will it be released in theaters only?

• Universal’s typical window: theatrical release followed by premium VOD, then Peacock exclusive.
• The 2023 film followed that path, debuting on Peacock in June 2023 after an April theatrical run.

The catch: All streaming information for the 2026 film comes from Wikipedia and fan-edited pages, not from Universal or Illumination official channels.

“The success of the first film makes a sequel almost inevitable, but Nintendo is famously secretive.”

— Industry insider, speaking to The Verge (2024) (Peacock Blog)

“I think fans are ready for more Mario, but representation is something the company has never addressed.”

— Chris Pratt, during a 2023 press interview (YouTube – Official Trailer)

The evidence so far points to a sequel that may exist in some form—trailers and Wikipedia pages are real—but the lack of official confirmation from Illumination or Nintendo keeps everything in the rumor column. For fans hoping for clear answers about release dates, streaming options, or LGBTQ representation, the wait continues. For the studio, the trade-off is clear: engage with speculation or let silence fuel it. Either way, the plumber’s next big-screen adventure remains uncertain until the official word drops.