The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 Is Already Giving Its Biggest Competitor A Major Advantage

Despite The Super Mario Bros. Movie‘s success, the recent developments surrounding The Super Mario Bros. 2 present unique challenges that could give its biggest competitors major advantages. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is in development, which suggests Universal Pictures plans on expanding the events of the first movie into a full-blown cinematic universe. However, with filming for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 complete and limited news regarding The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2‘s development, it would appear as though Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has a decided advantage over its iconic competitor.

In addition to Sonic the Hedgehog 3‘s release date approaching later this year, the Knuckles miniseries is also on the way, furthering Paramount Pictures’s advantage over Universal Pictures. Whether The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 will release after supplemental material similar to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 remains to be seen, but the lack of information regarding The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2‘s release strategy is troubling. With a confirmed release date for The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2, the future doesn’t bode too well for the iconic Italian plumber.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s Release Date Is Giving Sonic The Hedgehog An Advantage

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Knuckles are slated for release in 2024.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 is set for an April 3, 2026, theatrical release, and while the sequel’s confirmation is great, the gap between then and its 2023 predecessor is far too wide. Universal Pictures taking its time to assess what made the first movie a success makes sense, but waiting three years to follow the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie presents a lot of challenges. Chiefly among its challenges is that Sonic the Hedgehog will release more content during that gap that could allow it to eclipse The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2‘s popularity.

Additionally, other animated movies, such as 2025’s Minecraft The Movie could become massive hits, which would knock The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 further into obscurity, assuming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 does exceptionally well. Given Idris Elba’s performance as Knuckles garnered so much acclaim that a TV miniseries based around the character is releasing soon, it further positions the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise to usurp The Super Mario Bros. Movie‘s popularity. Without a TV show of its own, The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 faces other issues as well.

Why 3 Years Is Way Too Long To Wait For Another Super Mario Bros. Movie

3 Years risks The Super Mario Bros. Movie losing too much momentum.

While great movies tend to leave longer-lasting impressions on audiences than average movies, people ultimately move on with their lives. By the time 2026 rolls around, people will have consumed so much content that they might struggle to remember every detail of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Universal Pictures should carry the momentum from the first movie until then via TV shows, video games, etc. so audiences can still engage with the property in a way that builds excitement. Although The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 will happen, three years is just too long of a wait.