Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri has attributed the success of the Super Mario movies to working directly with Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo, stating that the success is due to the inclusion of Miyamoto in the filmmaking process. This collaboration was the first time the studio had ever collaborated with Nintendo and the series creator. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which premiered in theaters this year, grossed over $1 billion at the global box office. The film is set to have the biggest opening weekend so far in 2026, with a projected $350 million.