A fresh teaser for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie just dropped, and buried inside its brief runtime is something Nintendo fans definitely weren't expecting: Pikmin. Three of them, plain as day.
The clip, posted on March 17, shows off a parade of characters set to appear in the film. Most of it is exactly what you'd expect from a Super Mario sequel heading to theaters April 1. Then, tucked in there, are three unmistakable little alien plant creatures that have absolutely no business being in the Mushroom Kingdom.
Pikmin spotted in new teaser
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The Crossover Nobody Saw Coming
Here's the thing: Pikmin and Mario have essentially existed in completely separate corners of the Nintendo universe for over two decades. The Pikmin franchise, which debuted in 2001 and most recently released Pikmin 4 in 2023, has never had a meaningful narrative crossover with the Super Mario series. The occasional Easter egg, sure. An unlockable costume here and there. But nothing that puts these characters in the same story, sharing the same screen with actual purpose.
This teaser suggests that's about to change.
What most players miss when thinking about this crossover is how naturally it could fit the film's setting. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie takes place in outer space, pulling from the cosmic, planet-hopping world of the beloved Wii game. Pikmin, for their part, are small alien creatures who live on a distant planet and are frequently encountered by explorers crash-landing in unfamiliar worlds. Put Mario in space, and suddenly running into some Pikmin doesn't feel like a stretch at all.
The Pikmin appearance hasn't been officially detailed by Nintendo or Illumination beyond what's visible in the teaser. Their exact role in the film remains unconfirmed.
What the Teaser Actually Shows
The clip is short, and the Pikmin moment is easy to blink past. Three of them appear together, their distinctive leaf-topped heads unmistakable to anyone who's spent time with the franchise. No context is given for where they show up in the story or how long they're on screen in the actual film.
The movie's director duo, Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, have already packed the production with Nintendo references. Star Brie Larson, who plays Rosalina, has spoken about the film being "filled with references" for fans who know the games well. A Pikmin cameo would fit that philosophy perfectly, though the teaser hints it might be more than just a background detail.
Space setting suits the crossover
A Star-Studded Cast Heading to Space
Beyond the Pikmin surprise, the film brings back the full ensemble from the first movie. Chris Pratt returns as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, and Keegan-Michael Key as Toad. New additions include Donald Glover voicing Yoshi and Brie Larson as Rosalina, alongside Issa Rae, Benny Safdie, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Luis Guzman. The script comes from Matthew Fogel, who wrote Minions: The Rise of Gru.
The key here is that the film is already tracking for a massive opening weekend, with projections putting it among the biggest releases of the year. Adding a Pikmin appearance, even a small one, gives Nintendo fans one more reason to show up opening night and comb through every frame. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie opens in theaters on April 1. Make sure to check out more:
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