When it comes to video game adaptations in the movie theater, there is a long-standing consensus that these films never tap into the potential of the box office – and the records show to be align with that statement. However, Sonic the Hedgehog has already proven that to not be the case anymore in recent years. While influential that was the release of Detective Pikachu, Sonic the Hedgehog in 2020 swiftly outnumbered that film in the box office very quickly.
Additionally, the sequel – Sonic the Hedgehog 2 – later on outperformed its the first film and even labeled the “#1 Movie in America” last year. It also happened to be the best opening ever for actor Jim Carrey for his career. Elsewhere, we saw success on streaming service with content like Mortal Kombat & The Last of Us on HBO Max & Halo Television Series on Paramount+ also amount greatly to the response from the general audience as well.
Now following the release of Universal Pictures Nintendo, and Illumunation’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie earlier in April, it is projected to be one of the largest if not already the most profitable video game adaptation. In its three-day opening weekend alone, the film grossed $146 million and currently stands at $353 million despite the film facing a 37 percent decline at the theaters already.
More recently, returns on the film according to Universal is said to be the second-highest for any animated film with $92 million. And that’s just in the United States alone. Globally, The Super Mario Bros film is said to be roughly over $700 million in just under two weeks since release. As noted by Universal, this ranks the second highest animated film milestone behind Illumination’s previous release – Minions: The Rise of Gru.
However, Variety reports that this momentum is potential for The Super Mario Bros Movie to trek past $1 billion – a first for any video game adaptation. In our review for the film, we wrote: “a love letter to the fans that were starving for a great Mario film. To the ‘secular’ filmgoer, it may not be much to see, but as the general audience gets older, people will realize what big of a deal Mario was to the world.” You can read the full piece by heading here.
Are you surprised by the box office response for The Super Mario Bros Movie?
Source: Variety
