The animated sequel to the 2023 hit, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, is launching on the Peacock streaming service this week. The film debuted in theaters on April 1, followed by a premium video on demand release on May 19. Based on Nintendo’s popular 2007 game, the story follows Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach as they embark on an interstellar quest after Peach and a character named Keegan-Michael Key are suddenly launched into space. Key voice actors include Chris Pratt as Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, and Brie Larson as Rosalina. The movie also features new franchise voices like Glen Powell and returning villain voice Jack Black.

Despite mixed reviews from Rotten Tomatoes critics, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie excelled commercially, earning $190 million in its opening five-day domestic weekend and eventually surpassing $1 billion at the global box office. The film’s budget was $110 million before marketing expenses. It wrapped up its domestic theatrical run on June 26 with $429 million earned domestically and an additional $582 million internationally, totaling $1.011 billion worldwide. This reflects the franchise’s significant box office appeal despite critical reception challenges.

Peacock announced the streaming release date for the movie as July 30. The film will be available for subscribers of the NBC Universal platform, which offers multiple packages: the ad-supported Peacock Premium at $10.99 monthly or $109.99 annually, and the ad-free Peacock Premium Plus at $16.99 monthly or $166.99 annually. Notably, Peacock also holds the streaming rights to the original Super Mario Bros. Movie, allowing fans to catch up on the series before diving into the sequel.

The move to Peacock highlights the growing importance of streaming platforms in the film distribution landscape, especially for blockbuster titles with successful box office runs. Universal is leveraging both the theatrical and streaming markets to maximize revenue from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, capitalizing on dedicated fanbases and family audiences. This dual approach reflects ongoing industry trends where major franchise films continue their lifecycle through strategic SVOD windows shortly after concluding their cinema presence.