The Super Mario Bros. Movie crushed Sonic at the box office, earning over $1.3 billion globally. But Sonic's franchise is catching up. Here's how the rivalry plays out in theaters.
The Data
Nintendo's plumber dominated the hedgehog in their first proper theatrical showdown. The Super Mario Bros. Movie became the second-highest-grossing animated film of all time, while Sonic has built a respectable but smaller franchise.
| Film | Worldwide Gross | Year |
|---|---|---|
| The Super Mario Bros. Movie | $1.36B | 2023 |
| Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | $405M | 2022 |
| Sonic the Hedgehog | $320M | 2020 |
Analysis
Brand power prevails. Mario has 40+ years of gaming dominance. That brand recognition translated directly to ticket sales.
Sonic's comeback story. After the initial design controversy, Sonic movies have built a loyal audience. The franchise is growing with each installment.
Methodology
Box office data from Box Office Mojo. Figures represent worldwide theatrical gross in USD.
