The Super Mario Bros Movie has had a phenomenal start, grossing an impressive 204.6 million US dollars (£164.7 million) in its first five days in North American cinemas. The animated film, produced by Universal and Illumination, has also broken records for video game adaptations and animated films. With an estimated 173 million dollars (£139.3 million) in international earnings, the film’s global total now stands at 377 million dollars (£303.5 million), making it the biggest opening of 2023.
The film, voiced by Chris Pratt and Anya Taylor-Joy, follows the origin story of Mario and Luigi as they fall into a pipe and find themselves in a world full of Nintendo’s most famous characters. While reviews were mixed, with a 56% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences have given the film an A CinemaScore. The film’s success is a testament to the enduring popularity of the Mario franchise and the power of animation to bring in audiences.
The Super Mario Bros Movie
In contrast, Air, a film about the origins of Nike’s Air Jordan, had a more modest start, grossing an estimated 20.2 million dollars (£16.2 million) since opening on Wednesday in North America. The film, which stars Matt Damon, Viola Davis, and Ben Affleck, was released in 3,507 cinemas and is a bit of adult-targeted counter-programming to the Mario juggernaut. Reviews for Air were glowing, with a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences were 55% male and 39% over the age of 45.
The success of Mario and Air is a reminder of the importance of brand recognition and the power of animation and live-action to bring in audiences. The two films, each based on a beloved brand, have shown that with the right storytelling and marketing, big box office numbers can be achieved.
