The animation Super Mario Galaxy is firmly holding the spot as the number one global box office hit this year. According to Box Office Mojo, as of the 11th, Super Mario Galaxy has recorded global theatrical sales of 941.36 million dollars (approximately 1.4 trillion won), maintaining a dominant lead far ahead of the second-place Project Hail Mary (656.97 million dollars).
Featuring Nintendo’s iconic game character, the film has seen consistent success across global markets, proving that it has evolved beyond simple nostalgia to become a global cultural phenomenon that transcends generations.
The animation boom sparked by Super Mario is expected to intensify in June and July with the arrival of new major franchise titles. Toy Story 5, opening on June 17, is highly anticipated as the first sequel in seven years since the fourth film was released in 2019. This installment follows the new adventures of toys facing changes in their relationships and their very purpose in existence following the emergence of smart tablets. The key point to watch is how the film explores the value of toys and friendship in the digital era.
Toy Story 5 even claimed the top spot in a “Most Anticipated Summer 2026 Movie” poll conducted by Fandango, the largest movie ticketing platform in the US, beating out live-action blockbusters such as Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey.
On July 15, Minions and Monsters will hit theaters. Combining the Minions series, a representative IP of animation studio Illumination, with new monster characters, the film depicts the chaos that ensues when the Minions, who once served villains, form an unexpected alliance with a mysterious army of monsters. As a summer vacation release, it aims to target family audiences with mass appeal.
