Entertainment
“Super Mario Galaxy Movie Rockets to $372M Globally: Is This the Biggest Easter Box Office Ever?”
The latest Mario adventure smashes records while Ryan Gosling’s Project Hail Mary and Zendaya’s The Drama shine in a crowded Easter weekend.
The Easter box office has just witnessed a galactic explosion, courtesy of Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The family-friendly adaptation of Nintendo’s iconic video game franchise opened to an estimated $372.5 million globally, marking the largest debut since Avatar: Fire and Ash and becoming the top Hollywood opening of 2026 so far.
In the U.S., the Mario sequel collected $190.1 million over the five-day Easter corridor, including a three-day weekend total of $130.9 million. Overseas, the animated adventure blasted off with an estimated $182.4 million from 80 markets, cementing its status as a global powerhouse.
Breaking Records and Making History
This opening not only beats the first Super Mario Bros. Movie’s five-day domestic debut of $204 million in 2023 but also places the Galaxy sequel among the biggest global animated debuts of all time. The film now holds the fifth-largest opening ever for an animated title and the fourth-largest for a Hollywood studio release, behind Zootopia 2, Moana 2, and the original Super Mario.
Domestically, Super Mario Galaxy also scored impressive milestones:
- Third-highest grossing weekend for a video game adaptation behind A Minecraft Movie and Super Mario
- Only animated franchise with two titles opening north of $100 million over a three-day weekend, alongside Shrek, Toy Story, and Minions
- Biggest five-day domestic launch since Disney’s Moana 2
Universal Pictures’ domestic distribution president Jim Orr praised the launch, noting the strong audience reactions and predicting a long, successful run at the domestic box office. Audience feedback gave the film an A- CinemaScore, even though critics were largely lukewarm.
The Plot That Captured Audiences
Produced by Illumination in partnership with Nintendo, the movie follows Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach as they face off against the notorious Bowser and his son Bowser Jr. in a galaxy-spanning adventure. New characters like Princess Rosalina and the beloved Nintendo mascot Yoshi also make their big-screen debuts.

Other Easter Weekend Winners
While Super Mario Galaxy dominated, other films held their own.
- Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling, crossed $400 million globally and $217.2 million domestically despite losing premium formats to Super Mario. Its third-weekend take of $30.6 million showed minimal decline and highlighted the enduring appeal of the sci-fi epic.
- The Drama, featuring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, took third place with $14.1 million from 3,097 locations. The film received a B CinemaScore and an 81% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, proving that edgy, adult-oriented stories can still find a dedicated audience.
- Pixar and Disney’s Hoppers remained strong in its fifth weekend with a $323.2 million global total, while Sony Pictures Animation’s GOAT also celebrated crossing $100 million domestically.
Animation Rules the Easter Box Office
The Easter weekend confirmed that family-friendly and animated films remain a major draw. With Super Mario Galaxy Movie setting global records, and other animated titles like Hoppers and GOAT thriving, studios are reminded of the enduring power of animation and nostalgia in driving audiences to theaters.
For Universal and Illumination, the Galaxy sequel isn’t just a box office hit — it’s a validation that beloved franchises can continue to soar, especially when combined with smart partnerships like Nintendo and timeless characters like Mario and Yoshi.
Entertainment
Andrew Scott on ‘Busy Boy’ Role, Sparring With Brendan Fraser and the Scene That ‘Almost Broke Him’…
From emotional intensity to comedic chaos, Andrew Scott opens up about working with Brendan Fraser, revisiting The Comeback universe, and facing what he calls the toughest acting challenge of his career.
Acclaimed Irish actor Andrew Scott is once again in the spotlight after offering a candid reflection on his latest creative phase, where he jokingly refers to himself as a “Busy Boy” navigating some of the most demanding roles of his career.
Speaking about his recent work and behind-the-scenes experiences, Scott highlighted an unexpected creative sparring dynamic with Oscar-winning actor Brendan Fraser, describing their on-set interactions as both intense and unexpectedly playful. According to Scott, working opposite Fraser pushed him into a performance zone where emotional precision and spontaneity had to exist side by side.
What has particularly caught industry attention is Scott’s reference to “crashing The Comeback,” a nod to his involvement in revisiting or engaging with the world of the cult-favorite series The Comeback, originally led by Lisa Kudrow. While details remain closely guarded, Scott hinted that stepping into that comedic-uncomfortable universe required a completely different rhythm compared to his more dramatic roles.
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He described the experience as “the greatest acting challenge of his career,” emphasizing that the difficulty did not come from memorizing lines or technical execution—but from balancing tone. “Comedy that hurts a little and drama that makes you laugh at the wrong time,” he reportedly reflected, pointing to the emotional tightrope the project demanded.
Scott, widely known for his versatility across stage and screen, has built a reputation for immersing himself deeply into psychologically layered characters. This latest phase of his career, however, appears to be testing him in new ways—especially when paired with performers like Fraser, whose physicality and emotional openness bring a contrasting energy to the set.

Industry observers note that Scott’s willingness to move between genres—from intense drama to surreal comedy—reflects a broader shift among elite actors who are increasingly rejecting typecasting. His collaboration with Fraser, in particular, has been described by insiders as “chemistry-driven chaos,” where improvisation and instinct often outweigh rigid structure.
While neither Scott nor Fraser have revealed full project details yet, anticipation continues to build around what appears to be a creatively ambitious production blending tonal experimentation with character-driven storytelling.
For now, Scott’s “Busy Boy” comment may sound lighthearted, but it underscores a serious reality: even the most accomplished actors are still searching for roles that challenge their limits—and occasionally redefine them entirely.
Entertainment
Spotify Executive Sulinna Ong Leaves Company in Surprise Move to Join U2’s Management Circle
Industry shake-up sees a key Spotify leader stepping away to work closely with legendary rock band U2, signaling a notable crossover between streaming and artist management.
In a notable development within the global music industry, senior Spotify executive Sulinna Ong has reportedly stepped down from her role at the streaming giant to join the management ecosystem surrounding iconic rock band U2. The move has sparked discussion across both the streaming and artist management sectors, as it highlights the increasingly blurred lines between digital platforms and direct artist representation.
At Spotify, Ong was widely regarded as one of the influential figures helping shape editorial strategy and artist development initiatives. Her work contributed to strengthening relationships between artists and global audiences, especially as streaming became the dominant form of music consumption worldwide. While Spotify has not issued an extensive public statement on her departure, industry insiders suggest the transition was amicable and strategically timed.
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Her decision to move into artist management, particularly with a legacy act like U2, reflects a growing trend in the music industry where experienced executives are shifting from platform-side roles to artist-centric ecosystems. U2, known for its decades-long global influence and innovation in live performances and music distribution, continues to evolve its management structure as it adapts to the modern digital landscape.

Industry observers note that this move could also signal a deeper collaboration model between streaming expertise and artist branding. With executives like Ong bringing platform-level insights into audience behavior, release strategies, and global music trends, artists such as U2 may gain a stronger competitive edge in an increasingly data-driven industry.
While details about her exact responsibilities in the U2 management setup remain limited, the transition underscores a broader narrative: the music industry is no longer divided strictly between platforms and performers. Instead, it is becoming a hybrid ecosystem where expertise flows both ways.
As the news circulates, many in the industry will be watching closely to see whether this marks a one-off transition or the beginning of a wider trend of senior streaming executives moving into direct artist representation roles.
Entertainment
‘Madame’: A Quiet Storm Inside a Saudi Royal Household Told Through a French Worker’s Eyes
A sharp and emotionally layered debut film unpacks class, privilege, and secrecy through an unlikely relationship inside luxury and isolation.
The new film “Madame” has begun drawing attention for its quietly powerful storytelling—one that places a working-class French woman at the center of a world built on wealth, secrecy, and emotional restraint.
At its heart, the story follows a French domestic worker whose life takes an unexpected turn when she is assigned to care for the mistress of a Saudi prince. What unfolds is not just a tale of service, but a layered exploration of class boundaries, emotional dependency, and the invisible rules that govern elite households.
While the film is a debut feature, critics have noted its surprisingly mature direction and restraint. Instead of leaning into melodrama, “Madame” builds tension through silence, observation, and the slow unfolding of relationships behind closed doors.
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The narrative places strong emphasis on the contrast between worlds. On one side is the modest, practical life of the French caretaker; on the other, the secluded and highly controlled environment of a woman tied to royalty and wealth in the Middle East. The emotional gap between the two becomes the film’s central tension.
The mistress of the Saudi prince is portrayed not simply as a symbol of luxury or scandal, but as a deeply isolated individual—caught in a life where privilege comes at the cost of freedom. This dynamic allows the film to explore emotional vulnerability in spaces often assumed to be powerful and untouchable.
Film analysts have compared the tone of “Madame” to earlier socially conscious European cinema that examines class divides with subtlety rather than spectacle. The debut direction has been praised for its focus on human behavior over political commentary, allowing audiences to interpret meaning through gesture and atmosphere.
The film also reflects broader conversations about domestic labor, migration, and invisible emotional work performed by caregivers across the world. In many ways, the unnamed French caretaker becomes a mirror for audiences—someone navigating moral complexity while simply trying to do her job.

Similar thematic depth has been seen in works by filmmakers such as Sofia Coppola, known for exploring isolation within elite spaces, and Asghar Farhadi, whose films often focus on moral ambiguity and human conflict.
While “Madame” does not rely on dramatic twists or political statements, its strength lies in its emotional precision. Every interaction carries weight, every silence suggests something unspoken, and every decision reflects the fragile balance between duty and empathy.
Early reactions suggest that the film could find a strong audience in international festivals, where nuanced storytelling and character-driven narratives are often celebrated. Its debut marks a promising entry for a filmmaker willing to explore difficult emotional terrain without sensationalism.
In a cinematic landscape often driven by noise and scale, “Madame” stands out for doing something far rarer—it listens.
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