The Super Mario Bros. Movie is projected to beat Sonic the Hedgehog 2's record-breaking opening weekend box office. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 garnered $71 million in domestic ticket sales when it was released back in April 2022, giving it the record for the best opening weekend for a video game movie. The film became a worldwide hit, becoming the fourth-highest-grossing movie based on a video game of all time.

According to Deadline, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is set to beat Sonic the Hedgehog 2's domestic box office opening record. Illumination's upcoming film based on the popular Super Mario video game franchise is expected to make around $85 million to $90 million during its five-day opening release. However, this estimate is the least amount of money The Super Mario Bros. Movie could make during its theatrical debut, so it may exceed box office expectations.

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Why The Mario Movie Will Beat Sonic 2's Box Office Record

Mario holding onto his chest and the Mario movie poster

The Super Mario Bros. Movie's box office projections indicate that Mario may triumph over Sonic's record for domestic box office opening weekends. With Illumination's adaptation, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is set to take place in the Mushroom Kingdom, as opposed to Sonic the Hedgehog's decision to take place on Earth. Because Mario's theatrical debut will have the same setting as his video game franchise, the familiarity might be enough to knock Sonic the Hedgehog off its box office throne.

Like Sonic the Hedgehog, though, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is already showing off a lot of Easter eggs from different parts of the many video games Mario stars in. Where the films differ, however, is that Sonic the Hedgehog's references to the games weren't happening in a familiar setting, whereas The Super Mario Bros. Movie will see many familiar locations from the games come into play. These direct references can help play into The Super Mario Bros. Movie's box office success because of how recognizable they will be within the film's setting.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie has the added bonus of being an animated film from Illumination, whose box office success with the Despicable Me films and Minion spinoffs prove the studio's power in theatrical sales. The animation will also allow the movie to explore Mario's world with depth that may be too expensive for a live-action production. Many factors indicate The Super Mario Bros. Movie will beat Sonic the Hedgehog 2's box office record, but it's something that won't be known for sure until the film comes out next month.

More: What Super Mario Bros.' New Release Date Means For Its Box Office Potential

Source: Deadline

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