Anyone who’s spent an afternoon arguing about whether the 1993 live-action Super Mario Bros. movie is a guilty pleasure or a genuine disaster knows that Mario fandom runs deep. The 2023 animated hit changed the conversation entirely, pulling in over $1.36 billion worldwide and sparking a sequel that’s already on the horizon.

4 related posts

Release date: April 5, 2023 ·
Runtime: 92 minutes ·
Budget: $100 million ·
Worldwide box office: $1.36 billion ·
Rotten Tomatoes: 59% critics, 95% audience ·
Director: Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact release date for the sequel beyond 2026
  • Whether Netflix will carry the 2023 movie again
  • Streaming window after the sequel’s theatrical run
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Sequel expected in US theaters April 2026
  • Digital purchase and rental likely months later
  • Peacock expected to be streaming home

Seven key facts, one pattern: the 2023 film’s theatrical and streaming journey is well documented, while the sequel is still in the announcement phase. Here is what is confirmed, what is speculation, and what it means for viewers.

Metric Value
Release date (2023) April 5, 2023
Runtime 92 minutes
Budget $100 million
Worldwide box office $1.36 billion
Rotten Tomatoes score 59% critics, 95% audience
Directors Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic
Voice cast Chris Pratt (Mario), Anya Taylor-Joy (Peach), Charlie Day (Luigi), Jack Black (Bowser)

Is there a new Mario movie coming out in 2026?

What has been officially announced?

  • Nintendo and Illumination officially announced a sequel on March 10, 2024 as part of MAR10 Day (Nintendo Life gaming news outlet).
  • The sequel is titled The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (Nintendo Life gaming news outlet).
  • A teaser trailer was shown during a Nintendo Direct (Super Mario Bros. Film Wiki fan wiki).

The implication: Nintendo and Illumination are committed to expanding the animated Mario universe, with the sequel already in active production and marketing underway.

Who is involved in the sequel?

  • Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, and Jack Black are expected to reprise their roles.
  • Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri confirmed the sequel’s development (Nintendo Life gaming news outlet).
  • Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic are expected to return as directors.

The catch: while the core cast and creative team are largely intact, no official casting confirmation has been published for supporting roles.

What release window is rumored?

  • The sequel is reported to release in US cinemas on April 1, 2026 (Nintendo Life gaming news outlet).
  • Japan’s release date is set for April 24, 2026, confirmed by Nintendo president Shigeru Miyamoto (Nintendo Life gaming news outlet).
  • A second teaser trailer shown on January 25, 2026 reportedly focused on Yoshi (Super Mario Bros. Film Wiki fan wiki).

Why this matters: the roughly four-year gap between the original film and its sequel suggests that streaming availability will follow a similar extended theatrical window.

The upshot

Mario fans in Ireland and the UK face a familiar wait: the sequel hits US theaters in April 2026, with regional releases staggered through that month. No streaming date has been set, and based on the first film’s pattern, it will likely be 12-18 months before it appears on Peacock or a local equivalent.

Where can I watch the Mario Bros. movie?

Streaming platforms for the 2023 movie

  • The 2023 movie currently streams on Peacock in the US (Peacock official streaming guide).
  • It is not available on Netflix in the US or most regions (Peacock official streaming guide).
  • It briefly appeared on Netflix in some international markets before being removed.

The trade-off: Peacock is the exclusive US streaming home, but for viewers in Ireland or the UK, the 2023 movie is available for digital rental and purchase — no subscription needed.

Is the movie on Netflix, Peacock, or Amazon Prime?

  • Peacock: Yes, currently streaming (Peacock official streaming guide).
  • Netflix: No (listing shows “currently unavailable in your country” in many regions).
  • Amazon Prime Video: Available for rent or purchase.
  • Disney+: Not available.

The pattern: the 2023 film is subscription-locked to Peacock in the US, while digital purchase is the universal fallback.

Theatrical and digital purchase options

  • Available for rent/purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu.
  • 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD versions are widely available at retailers.
  • The film grossed $1.36 billion at the worldwide box office during its theatrical run.

What this means for Irish viewers: with no Peacock subscription, the most straightforward option is a €3-4 rental on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV.

The catch

Peacock’s streaming rights are exclusive to the US. Irish and UK viewers can’t access the film through that service, making digital rental the only legal streaming option without a VPN.

Is the Mario movie still on Netflix?

Why it may have disappeared

  • The film’s Netflix listing shows “currently unavailable in your country” in many regions.
  • Netflix’s licensing agreement with Universal (Illumination’s parent) was limited and has since expired.
  • Peacock, owned by Universal’s parent company NBCUniversal, retains exclusive US streaming rights.

The implication: Netflix was never a long-term home for the 2023 Mario movie. The theatrical-to-streaming window favored Peacock as the primary platform.

Regional availability differences

  • Some European markets briefly had the film on Netflix, but those deals have lapsed.
  • Peacock is not available outside the US, creating a gap for international viewers.
  • Digital purchase remains the consistent option across all regions.

Why this matters: Irish and UK audiences who missed the theatrical window have no subscription-based streaming option for the 2023 film.

Alternatives to Netflix

  • Amazon Prime Video (rental or purchase).
  • Apple TV (rental or purchase).
  • Sky Store (rental or purchase, available in the UK and Ireland).
  • Physical media (4K, Blu-ray, DVD) from retailers.

The pattern: the 2023 movie is effectively a premium rental title for anyone outside the US Peacock ecosystem.

How to watch Super Mario Bros. 1993 online for free?

Legal streaming options for the 1993 film

  • The 1993 live-action film is available on Tubi (free with ads).
  • Also available on Pluto TV and Amazon Freevee (free with ads).
  • Not available on any major subscription service like Netflix, Disney+, or Prime Video.

The catch: free streaming comes with advertising breaks, but it’s entirely legal and requires no subscription.

Free ad-supported platforms

  • Tubi: Free, ad-supported, no subscription required.
  • Pluto TV: Free, ad-supported, includes linear channels and on-demand.
  • Amazon Freevee: Free, ad-supported, available through Amazon’s platform.

The trade-off: the 1993 film is easier to find legally for free than the 2023 blockbuster, simply because its streaming rights are less valuable.

Risks of illegal streaming

  • Illegal streaming sites often carry malware and tracking scripts.
  • They undermine the legal availability that already exists on free platforms.
  • The 1993 film is freely available on Tubi, making piracy unnecessary.

What this means: Irish viewers can watch Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo’s infamous portrayal for free, legally, on Tubi — no excuses needed.

Who is LGBTQ in Mario?

Representation in the Mario franchise

  • No characters in The Super Mario Bros. Movie are explicitly LGBTQ.
  • Nintendo has not confirmed any LGBTQ representation in the franchise.
  • Fan theories have circulated about characters like Luigi and Birdo, but none are officially recognized.

The implication: the Mario franchise, across games and films, has not featured confirmed LGBTQ representation. Birdo is sometimes cited in fan discourse, but Nintendo has not made any official statement.

Are any characters confirmed LGBTQ in the movie?

  • The 2023 film includes no romantic or identity arcs for any character.
  • Bowser’s obsession with Princess Peach is played for comedy, not as a statement on sexuality.
  • No voice actor has indicated their character is LGBTQ.

The pattern: the Mario universe remains intentionally family-friendly and apolitical, with no canon LGBTQ characters.

Community speculation vs official statements

  • Birdo, introduced in Super Mario Bros. 2, is often discussed in LGBTQ contexts due to ambiguous early English localization materials.
  • Nintendo has never clarified Birdo’s gender or orientation in current canon.
  • No official statement from Nintendo or Illumination addresses LGBTQ representation in the film franchise.

The catch: what the internet assumes and what Nintendo confirms are two very different things. Until Nintendo issues a statement, fan theories are speculation.

Timeline: The Super Mario Bros. Movie journey

  • 2020 — Nintendo and Illumination announce an animated Mario film.
  • 2021 — Voice cast announced, including Chris Pratt as Mario.
  • April 5, 2023 — The Super Mario Bros. Movie released in theaters.
  • 2024 — Sequel officially announced on March 10, 2024 (Nintendo Life gaming news outlet).
  • April 1, 2026 (reported) — US release window for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (Nintendo Life gaming news outlet).
  • April 24, 2026 — Japan release date confirmed by Shigeru Miyamoto (Nintendo Life gaming news outlet).
Bottom line: The 2023 Mario movie is a streaming orphan outside the US — Peacock exclusive at home, rental-only abroad. Irish viewers who want to watch the sequel in 2026 should budget for a cinema ticket or a long wait for digital. The 1993 film, by contrast, is free on Tubi and ready for a nostalgia trip right now.

Related reading: Love at First Sight: 2023 Movie Guide

Additional sources

youtube.com

For viewers curious about who brings the characters to life, the films voice cast offers a full breakdown of the voice actors.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What age rating is The Super Mario Bros. Movie?

The 2023 film is rated PG by the MPAA and U by the BBFC in the UK and Ireland. It is considered suitable for children, though some scenes with Bowser may be intense for very young viewers.

How long is the movie?

The runtime is 92 minutes, making it a brisk watch suitable for family viewing.

Does the movie have a post-credits scene?

Yes, there is a mid-credits scene that teases Luigi’s future adventures, and a post-credits scene featuring Yoshi.

Is the movie available in 4K?

Yes, 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD versions are available at major retailers and digital platforms.

Will the movie come to Disney+?

No. The film is distributed by Universal Pictures and streams on Peacock in the US. It is not part of Disney’s catalog.

What platforms is the 1993 Mario movie on?

The 1993 live-action film is available on Tubi, Pluto TV, and Amazon Freevee — all free with ads.

Who directed the 2023 movie?

The film was co-directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, known for their work on Teen Titans Go!