Fans of the Mushroom Kingdom have waited patiently since the post-credits egg-crack tease in 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Nintendo and Illumination have finally delivered: the first official look at Yoshi in the highly anticipated sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Revealed during a special Nintendo Direct presentation hosted by Shigeru Miyamoto on January 25, 2026, the new trailer spotlights the beloved green dinosaur’s big-screen debut, alongside a surprise release date shift to April 1, 2026—two days earlier than originally planned. The footage has already amassed millions of views, reigniting excitement for what promises to be another box-office juggernaut from the franchise that grossed over $1.36 billion worldwide.
The trailer opens with Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) tearing through a vast desert on motorcycles in a high-octane sequence reminiscent of Super Mario Odyssey‘s Sand Kingdom. Clearing a blocked warp pipe becomes their mission, leading them underground where Mario’s iconic theme remixes play. Powering up with Fire Flowers for visibility in the darkness, the brothers discover the obstruction: a frightened Yoshi huddled inside. The adorable dino—rendered with Illumination’s signature vibrant, expressive animation—emerges hesitantly at first, his large eyes wide with curiosity and a touch of fear. True to form, Yoshi quickly bonds with the plumbers, joining their adventure as they leap into action against foes like Lakitu hurling projectiles.
Yoshi’s design stays faithful to his classic look while fitting seamlessly into the film’s stylized universe. The green mount boasts his signature polka-dot saddle, long tongue ready for action, and that unmistakable “Yoshi!” call—confirmed in the trailer as non-verbal, preserving the character’s whimsical charm without full speech. Fans noted subtle nods to his debut in Super Mario World (1990), including baby Mario and Luigi appearances protected by Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), and Yoshi wielding a Super Scope in a playful callback to retro games. Later shots show Mario riding Yoshi into cosmic battles, facing off against a massive T-Rex boss, hinting at the galaxy-hopping scope of the story.
Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, with screenwriter Matthew Fogel returning, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie expands the universe inspired by the 2007 Wii classic. Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), and Toad venture across galaxies to thwart Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie), who seeks to rescue his father Bowser (Jack Black) from his Brooklyn defeat. New additions include Brie Larson as the ethereal Rosalina and Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek, with cameos like Birdo firing eggs at Peach (parasol-shielded) and deep cuts such as Mouser and Clawgrip. The trailer’s montage blends elements from Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario World, Odyssey, and Galaxy, creating a multiverse feast for longtime fans.
Chris Meledandri, Illumination’s CEO and producer alongside Miyamoto, confirmed during the Direct that animation is complete, with post-production underway. Brian Tyler returns to score, re-recording Galaxy themes with a 70-piece orchestra for epic scale. The film’s post-credits tease from the first movie—a cracking egg—pays off spectacularly, positioning Yoshi as a key ally in the interstellar quest.
Social media erupted post-reveal. On X and Reddit, #YoshiFirstLook trended globally, with fans praising the faithful design: “Yoshi looks perfect—hunched, expressive, ready to chomp!” one user posted. Others debated the mashup: “Odyssey pyramid, Galaxy space, World Yoshi intro—it’s a love letter to Mario history!” While some questioned the “Galaxy” title amid diverse locales, excitement dominates, with predictions of surpassing the original’s earnings. YouTube clips from IGN and official channels hit 10 million views in hours.
Nintendo’s strategy shines: after the first film’s triumph—the highest-grossing video game adaptation ever—Galaxy leverages beloved IP while innovating. Yoshi’s absence in the original built hype; his arrival expands the ensemble, promising rideable antics, tongue-lash attacks, and egg-throwing chaos. With Universal handling distribution, the April 1 Easter release targets families, positioning it against lighter competition for massive openings.
As post-production wraps, more trailers may tease Rosalina’s observatory or Bowser Jr.’s schemes. For now, Yoshi’s debut cements The Super Mario Galaxy Movie as 2026’s must-see animated event—a cosmic leap forward in Mario’s cinematic saga, blending nostalgia, spectacle, and heart. Mario’s galaxy-spanning plumbers are greener—and greater—than ever.
