Most theaters ask you to put your phone away. Nintendo is doing the opposite. If you're heading out to see The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the company wants you to have the Nintendo Today app ready to go before you even find your seat.
The mechanic is simple: once you're inside a participating theater, find the official movie poster on the wall, open the Nintendo Today app, grant it camera and location access, and scan the poster. Do that, and you'll walk away with two exclusive digital freebies: a photo frame decorated with the film's logo and Lumas, and a phone wallpaper to go with it.
The announcement came directly from Nintendo of America via an April 3 tweet, which confirmed the promotion is live at theaters now. No purchase beyond your movie ticket is required. You just need the app installed and the willingness to look slightly suspicious pointing your phone at a wall before the film starts.
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A movie already making noise for all kinds of reasons
The timing of this promotion is interesting given that reviews for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie have landed all over the place. Some critics have called the film outright "tortuous," while gaming-focused outlets have been considerably warmer on it. The most enthusiastic review on record may belong to a four-year-old, who reportedly praised both the Super Mario Odyssey elements and the appearance of Bowser Jr.
Here's the thing: divisive reviews haven't slowed the film down at all. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie crossed $120 million at the box office in its opening days, which is a strong start by any measure. Matching the astronomical run of The Super Mario Bros. Movie from 2023 is a tall order, but the sequel is clearly not struggling to find an audience.
The Nintendo Today app promotion is available at participating theaters only. Check the app or Nintendo's official site to confirm your local theater is included before you go.
Lumas front and center in the film
What this means for the Nintendo ecosystem play
This is a small promotion on the surface, but it fits a larger pattern Nintendo has been building with the Nintendo Today app. Tying a mobile app reward to a physical, real-world location (a theater poster) is a deliberate push to get more users engaging with the app outside of home gaming sessions. The exclusive photo frame and wallpaper are low-stakes rewards, but they're the kind of thing that spreads on social media when fans post their customized pictures.
Producer Chris Meledandri has spoken about the Super Mario Galaxy games (the 2007 original and its 2010 sequel) as the core creative inspiration for the film, though the movie draws from a wider slice of the Mario universe than the title alone suggests. That broader approach clearly resonated with at least some audiences, even if critics remain split.
The key here is that Nintendo is treating the theatrical release as an interactive event, not just a film drop. Whether that translates into meaningful app growth or just a fun bonus for fans who happen to notice the poster, it's a smart way to keep the Nintendo Today ecosystem top of mind during one of the biggest Mario moments in years. For the latest gaming news and coverage, make sure to check out more:
