Box Office: ‘Super Mario Bros.’ Pacing For Huge $128M-Plus Five-Day Opening

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The Super Mario Bros. Movie, an adaptation of the Nintendo video game, from Illumination and Universal, has gotten off to a roaring start at the box office and looks to earn at least $128 million in its domestic debut over the lengthy Easter weekend after opening on Wednesday with an estimated $26 million, per early projections.

More optimistic industry observers predict the film may even gross $140 million to $150 million. (Final Wednesday numbers will be released Thursday morning.)

If tracking is any indication, Super Mario has a good shot of becoming the first box office success of 2023. The PG-rated film is generating interest not only among families, but also with the generations of adults who grew up playing Nintendo’s highly successful Mario games. (or those who still play).

To capitalize on the spring break, the movie opens on Wednesday. It is also being released in 70 foreign markets. On Wednesday, it debuted to an amazing $8 million in a few Asia-Pacific countries, including a strong $5 million in China.

Brothers and Brooklyn plumbers Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) are split and transported to the magical Mushroom Kingdom world in this animated comedy-adventure tale. Keegan-Michael Key, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, Seth Rogen, Fred Armisen, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Sebastian Maniscalco are also featured in the voice ensemble. A special voice cameo is also made by Charles Martinet, who has played Mario and Luigi in the Super Mario video games for more than three decades.

Adapted from a script by Matthew Fogel, the movie is directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic. It is jointly funded by Nintendo and Universal, the parent business of Chris Meledandri’s Illumination.

(from left) Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Mario (Chris Pratt) in Nintendo and Illumination’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

Ben Affleck’s Air, which debuts on Wednesday as well, is aiming for a five-day opening in the $16 million region based on early returns after debuting to $3.3 million on Wednesday.

The first film from Amazon Studios to receive an exclusive theatrical release in thousands of theaters worldwide before streaming on Prime Video at a future date that has not yet been revealed, Air is historic in this regard. The movie has received raving reviews and a coveted 97 percent Rotten Tomatoes reviewers score. Additionally, it earned an A CinemaScore from viewers.

The biographical sports marketing thriller, which stars Matt Damon and Viola Davis, tells the story of Nike’s early, revolutionary years and is produced by Mandalay Pictures, Skydance Sports, and Amazon Studios. Additionally, it is the first film produced by Affleck and Matt Damon in one of their collaborations, Artists Equity, a company they co-founded with RedBird Capital last year.

Box Office: ‘Super Mario Bros.’ Pacing For Huge $128M-Plus Five-Day Opening

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