A new unofficial concept trailer imagines what a crossover movie betweenSuper Mario BrosandSonic the Hedgehogcould look like. The release comes afterThe Super Mario Bros. Movieand theSonic the Hedgehogfilm franchises earned a combined $2 billion at the global box office. Released in April 2023,The Super Mario Bros. Moviebecame the highest-grossingvideo game adaptation to date, breaking the $1 billion mark internationally. Meanwhile,Sonic the Hedgehogand its two sequels contributed to the growing success of video game adaptations, combining for gross earnings of $1 billion.
The concept trailer, created byKH Studio, showcases Mario and Sonic as rivals in a fast-paced, action-packed adventure. Using footage from their respective movies,the trailer teases how their worlds might collide in a future project.The trailer takes full advantage of clips from both franchises, including Mushroom Kingdom landscapes and Sonic’s high-speed, electric blue chaos. Check out the trailer below:
What This Means For Mario & Sonic Movies
Any Potential Film Would Celebrate Their Decades-Long Rivalry
A crossover movie between Mario and Sonicwould capitalize on the growing trend of video game adaptations proving to be massive box office successes.The Super Mario Bros. Movienot only topped the charts in 2023 but also solidified Illumination and Nintendo’s partnership, opening doors for potential sequels or expansions. Meanwhile,Sonic the Hedgehogcontinues to thrive under Paramount Pictures and SEGA’s collaboration, with the third installment already surpassing the gross revenue of its predecessors at $419.9M worldwide.
Moreover, the combined $2 billion revenue underscores the universal appeal of both franchises. Mario and Sonicare recognizable across generations, which makes their crossover a commercially viable concept.Both characters have decades of recognition through games, merchandise, movies, and other media. Additionally, Mario and Sonic have a pre-established history of competition, dating back to their rivalry in the console wars during the 1990s.
10 Best Movies That Featured Franchise Crossovers
Crossovers have long been around, even in films. These films are amongst the best at combining two universes into one.
Illumination’s animation expertise withThe Super Mario Bros. Movie,and Paramount’s realistic VFX in theSonic the Hedgehogfilms show that both studios can seamlessly integrate their worlds into a cohesive visual experience. A crossover would require significant collaboration between Nintendo, SEGA, Illumination, and Paramount, but given their track records of success,the payoff could be worth the effort for both studios.However, at this time, the studios seem to be focused on theupcomingSonic the Hedgehog 4(2027)andThe Super Mario Bros. Movie 2(2026.)
Our Take On Mario Vs. Sonic
A Crossover For Mario & Sonic Could Be Revolutionary
The concept trailer provides a look into what could be a monumental crossover event for video game adaptations. Seeing Mario and Sonic together on the big screen would not only celebrate their rivalry, but also push the boundaries of what’s possible in adapting video game stories. Though the trailer is unofficial, it taps into a growing audience interest in cinematic crossovers, especially considering the success of crossovers in popular media, such asGodzilla Vs. Kong(2021) orDeadpool & Wolverine(2024). More importantly, this trailer highlights the potential fun of bringingSuper Mario BrosandSonic the Hedgehogtogether.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Cast
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 reunites Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails as they face a formidable new adversary, Shadow. With Shadow’s unprecedented powers posing a significant threat, Team Sonic seeks an unexpected alliance to thwart his plans and safeguard the planet.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is an animated adventure film featuring Brooklyn plumbers Mario and Luigi. Released in 2023, the movie follows the brothers as they are transported to a magical world through a mysterious pipe, leading Mario on a quest to rescue Luigi after they become separated.
