It’s still Mario’s world at the box office — and everything else is just trying to keep up.
Super Mario Galaxy Movie continued its strong theatrical run, leading Friday collections again with $17.5 million in North America. The animated sequel is heading toward a $68.9 million second weekend — a noticeable drop from its opening, but still a solid hold considering the competition and expectations riding on it.
Mario Stays Ahead, But The Gap Is Narrowing
The numbers tell an interesting story. While the film is comfortably leading, it hasn’t quite matched the momentum of its predecessor, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which pulled in over $92 million in its second weekend.
That earlier film had the advantage of novelty and strong audience buzz. “Galaxy,” on the other hand, is now operating in sequel territory — where expectations are higher and surprises are fewer. Even then, crossing an estimated $308 million domestic total by Sunday puts it firmly in blockbuster territory.
Sci-Fi And Romance Fight For Space
Right behind Mario, Project Hail Mary is quietly holding its ground. The film brought in $6.8 million on Friday and is expected to close the weekend around $26 million — a minimal drop that signals steady audience interest. After four weeks, it’s eyeing a strong $258 million domestic total.
Meanwhile, The Drama, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, is settling into third place. After a solid debut last week, the film is expected to add around $9.1 million this weekend. Its unusual mix of romance and emotional twists seems to be keeping audiences curious.
New Entry Struggles To Break Through
The weekend’s fresh release, You, Me & Tuscany, opened softer than expected. With $3.1 million on Friday and a projected $8.3 million weekend total, the film hasn’t quite found its footing yet.
Starring Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page, the story leans into romance set against an Italian backdrop — but it’s facing tough competition from bigger, more established titles.
Pixar’s Hoopers Slows Down
At the lower end of the chart, Hoopers continues its run with modest numbers. The film collected $1.1 million on Friday and is expected to reach around $4 million for the weekend. Its total domestic earnings are nearing $157 million after four weeks — steady, but not spectacular by Pixar standards.
What This Weekend Really Shows
The bigger picture is clear — while Super Mario Galaxy Movie is still leading, the box office isn’t a one-horse race anymore.
The drop in its second weekend suggests that while the franchise remains powerful, audience excitement isn’t as explosive as before. At the same time, films like Project Hail Mary are proving that consistency can quietly win the long game.
For now, Mario still wears the crown — but the chase behind him is getting tighter.
