Updated
Updated · ABC News · Jul 1
Super Mario Galaxy Movie Tops $1 Billion as Critics Pick 2026's Best Films
Updated
Updated · ABC News · Jul 1

Super Mario Galaxy Movie Tops $1 Billion as Critics Pick 2026's Best Films

3 articles · Updated · ABC News · Jul 1

Summary

  • $1 billion in global ticket sales made The Super Mario Galaxy Movie the only 2026 release so far to cross that mark, while Michael trailed close behind.
  • Project Hail Mary rounded out the top five in both global and Australian box offices with $683 million, showing original films still breaking through amid sequel- and franchise-heavy rankings.
  • Horror remained a standout commercial force: Backrooms and Obsession each cleared $300 million worldwide, with Obsession earning $370 million from a $750,000 budget.
  • Critics' midyear picks highlighted a broader range than the box office leaders, praising titles including The Sheep Detectives, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Backrooms, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, Obsession and Pillion.

Insights

As low-budget horror out-earns blockbusters, have studios completely misjudged what modern audiences actually crave?
Despite a box office boom, why is on-screen diversity reportedly facing a sharp and concerning decline?
Gen Z is flocking back to theaters, but is this a true cinema revival or a search for affordable social spaces?