Miyamoto’s reactions to the mixed reviews of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Intelligence Summary
- See Miyamoto’s response to the reviews of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Nintendo’s future plans.
Shigeru Miyamoto’s reactions to the mixed reviews of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
The release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie earlier in April 2026 has led to a mixed bag of reviews. While audiences have been largely positive, with an 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the professional reviews have landed less well, with an approval rating of just 43%.
Nintendo’s legendary designer Shigeru Miyamoto has shared his thoughts on the critics’ response, which he described as “baffling.” According to Miyamoto, the reviews this time were even “harsher” than those for the earlier The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which released in 2023.
Reviews and reactions
After release, IGN gave the film a 6/10, adding to the mixed reception. In an interview with Nintendo Dream Web, Miyamoto said he was surprised that critics judged the film so negatively while audiences seemed enthusiastic. “I thought the reviews would be different this time, but they were even stricter than last time,” he said with a laugh.
Financial results
Despite the polarizing reviews, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has already grossed more than $753 million worldwide, making it the biggest film of 2026 so far. It could potentially pass $1 billion before its run in Japan begins. That stands in contrast to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which ultimately earned more than $1.36 billion.
Timeline
April 2026: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie launches to mixed reviews.
22 April 2026: Miyamoto responds to the negative criticism, calling it “baffling.”
Forecasts suggest the film could reach $1 billion before all screenings end.
Future projects
Nintendo has announced plans for more films. According to recent comments from Jack Black, the voice of Bowser, a third Mario movie could arrive in 2029, possibly followed by a Donkey Kong spin-off. A live-action The Legend of Zelda film is also scheduled for next year. Miyamoto has also said that Peach’s new backstory will now be canon for future games and films.
It seems that, despite the critical response, Nintendo is looking at a strong future for film adaptations of its beloved franchises. With the upcoming live-action The Legend of Zelda film in May 2027, the studio will aim to build on the success of its earlier movies. In this context, Miyamoto remains optimistic about Sony’s contribution to the film industry, even if he finds critics’ reactions puzzling.
The combination of strong box office results and mixed critical reception shows that Nintendo’s brand power remains strong. The journey of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is far from over and will undoubtedly remain a major talking point in the years ahead.
