LOS ANGELES — “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” blasted past $629 million in global ticket sales Monday, cementing its status as Hollywood’s highest-grossing release of 2026 so far and proving that families still flock to theaters for colorful Nintendo adventures despite mixed critical reviews.

The animated sequel from Universal Pictures and Illumination added an estimated $69 million in its second weekend from 4,284 North American theaters, bringing its domestic total to $308.1 million. International markets contributed roughly $84 million over the weekend, pushing the worldwide cumulative to $629 million after just 12 days in release, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Produced on a budget of about $110 million, the film has already become the second-highest grossing movie of the year behind China’s “Pegasus 3” and the top animated title of 2026. It ranks as the ninth-highest grossing Illumination film ever and the third-biggest video game adaptation worldwide, trailing only “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” ($1.36 billion) and “A Minecraft Movie.”

Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic with a screenplay by Matthew Fogel, the movie expands the Mushroom Kingdom into cosmic territory inspired by Nintendo’s 2007 “Super Mario Galaxy” game. Chris Pratt reprises his role as Mario, joined by Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser and Keegan-Michael Key as Toad. New voices include Brie Larson as Rosalina, Donald Glover as Yoshi, Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr. and Glen Powell as Fox McCloud from the “Star Fox” series.

The story follows Mario and friends as they venture through gravity-defying planets, battling Bowser’s latest scheme with help from cosmic allies and plenty of power-ups. Reviewers noted the film’s dazzling visuals, faithful Nintendo Easter eggs and breakneck pace, though some criticized a thin plot and reliance on nostalgia. Audience scores proved far stronger: families gave it perfect marks on PostTrak exit polls, while general viewers awarded an A- CinemaScore.

The film launched with explosive force over the Easter holiday. It earned $131.7 million over its three-day opening weekend and $190.8 million in five days domestically — the biggest opening of 2026 and the fourth-largest five-day debut ever in the U.S. and Canada. Globally, it opened to an estimated $372.5 million across 80-plus markets, setting records as the largest MPA animated opening since the first Mario movie and the only animated franchise with two films debuting above $350 million worldwide.

Mexico led international markets with $29.1 million, followed by the U.K. and Ireland. Strong turnout came from families taking advantage of spring break, with heavy play in premium large formats and IMAX screens that generated $15 million domestically in the opening frame alone.

In its second weekend, the movie held remarkably well with a 48% domestic drop — solid for a family film facing no major new competition. Overseas it added another $83 million to $84 million, showing resilience in key territories. Analysts project the film will comfortably surpass $700 million globally next weekend and could approach or exceed $1 billion with strong legs through the summer, especially as it rolls into Japan on April 24 and South Korea on April 29.

The success underscores Nintendo’s growing clout in Hollywood following the record-breaking 2023 original. That film, also from Illumination, became one of the highest-grossing animated features ever and helped fuel expansion of Super Nintendo World attractions at Universal theme parks in Hollywood and Orlando. Universal Products & Experiences launched fresh merchandise tied to “Galaxy,” while parks offered limited-time experiences including Yoshi meet-and-greets and themed food through mid-April.

Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri, who has overseen 16 consecutive hits for the studio, called the performance “extraordinary” in early comments. The company’s partnership with Nintendo continues to deliver crowd-pleasing spectacles that translate game worlds into cinematic joyrides.

Industry observers noted the film’s broad appeal. While critics landed at around 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, ticket buyers — especially parents with young children — embraced the colorful spectacle. The audience skewed 61% male overall but families showed near-even splits between moms and dads. Strong word-of-mouth and repeat viewings from kids powered the second-weekend hold.

Competitors felt the gravitational pull. Ryan Gosling’s sci-fi drama “Project Hail Mary” held second place with about $24.6 million in its third weekend, pushing its worldwide total above $500 million. A24’s “The Drama,” starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, opened in third with roughly $8.7 million to $14 million depending on final tallies.

The box office dominance arrives amid a strong 2026 start for theaters, up significantly from the same period last year. “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” has provided a much-needed tentpole in early April, traditionally a softer month before summer blockbusters arrive.

Analysts credit several factors for the haul. Nostalgia for the Mario franchise remains potent, especially among millennials now raising families. The film’s PG rating and family-friendly tone make it an easy choice for group outings. Vibrant animation, catchy score by Brian Tyler and imaginative set pieces — including gravity-flipping planets and orchestral remixes of classic Mario tunes — deliver the spectacle audiences expect from Illumination.

Yet challenges loom for long-term legs. The second-weekend multiplier trails the original Mario movie, which benefited from fresher franchise novelty and stronger reviews. Some parents noted the story felt more like a greatest-hits compilation than a tightly plotted adventure. Still, the film’s modest budget relative to its earnings ensures robust profitability even if it falls short of the first film’s $1.36 billion benchmark.

Nintendo and Universal have signaled confidence in the franchise’s future. Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary creator of Mario, remains closely involved as a producer. Plans for additional sequels or spin-offs could follow if “Galaxy” maintains momentum.

For theater chains, the movie provided a welcome boost. AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron praised it as the “kind of broad, crowd-pleasing release that brings people into theatres.” Chains reported healthy concession sales tied to Mario-themed promotions.

Internationally, performance has been uneven but generally solid. Strong openings in Latin America contrast with more modest results in parts of Asia ahead of key market debuts. Japan, home to Nintendo’s headquarters, is expected to deliver a major surge later this month during Golden Week holidays.

As “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” continues its theatrical run, it faces upcoming competition from tentpoles including “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” “Toy Story 5” and “Avengers: Doomsday.” Whether it can hold the crown as 2026’s top Hollywood earner will depend on sustained family turnout through May and June.

For now, the plumbers’ cosmic journey has delivered another financial supernova. What began as a beloved 2007 Wii game has become a box-office force that continues to defy gravity, pulling in audiences worldwide with its signature blend of whimsy, music and Italian-accented heroism.

The film’s rapid climb to $629 million in under two weeks reaffirms animation’s enduring power at the multiplex and Nintendo’s knack for turning pixels into profits. In an era of streaming fragmentation and superhero fatigue, simple joys — jumping on Goombas, collecting stars and saving the galaxy — still pack theaters.

With more markets yet to open and strong audience scores fueling repeat business, “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” appears headed for a lengthy orbit. It’s-a me, Mario — and it’s-a big hit once again.

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NEW YORK — Travelers at John F. Kennedy International Airport faced moderate security lines Monday as TSA wait times ranged from as little as 1 minute to around 24 minutes depending on the terminal, according to real-time data from the airport’s official website and monitoring services.

As of mid-morning on April 13, 2026, general security lines showed the shortest waits in Terminal 1 at approximately 1 minute and Terminal 7 at 5 minutes. Terminal 4 reported around 12 minutes for standard lanes, while Terminal 5 stood at 13 minutes and Terminal 8 reached 24 minutes — the longest among active checkpoints. TSA PreCheck lanes moved significantly faster, often under 10 minutes or with no wait reported in several terminals.

Airport officials noted that posted times represent estimates and can change rapidly based on passenger volume and TSA staffing levels. The technology used for these figures is most accurate when lines remain within designated queue areas, and staff actively monitor extensions beyond checkpoints to provide updated information.

JFK, one of the nation’s busiest gateways handling millions of passengers annually, typically sees average security waits of 15 to 35 minutes on regular days. Peak periods — generally 5-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. — can push general lines toward 30-45 minutes or longer during high-traffic surges, while off-peak hours like early morning before 7 a.m. or late evening after 8 p.m. often drop to 10-15 minutes.

Monday’s moderate conditions align with typical post-weekend patterns, though international flights concentrated in Terminal 4 and domestic-heavy Terminal 5 can create uneven distribution. Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, American Airlines and other carriers operating out of JFK advise passengers to arrive at least two to three hours before international departures and 90 minutes to two hours for domestic flights to account for potential variability.

TSA PreCheck and CLEAR services continue to offer substantial time savings for enrolled travelers. PreCheck lanes frequently clear in 1-9 minutes, making membership particularly valuable during busier periods. CLEAR, which uses biometric screening to expedite the initial identification step, pairs well with PreCheck for even smoother experiences at participating checkpoints.

Travelers without expedited options should prepare for standard screening protocols, including the 3-1-1 liquids rule, removal of laptops and large electronics, and potential additional checks. TSA staffing shortages have occasionally contributed to fluctuating lines in recent months, though airport and federal officials report ongoing efforts to maintain efficient throughput.

Social media and passenger reports on platforms like Reddit and Instagram reflect mixed experiences. Some early-morning travelers Monday praised quick passages through Terminal 4 and 1, while others in Terminal 8 noted longer queues during mid-morning hours. Occasional complaints of lines exceeding posted estimates highlight the importance of checking multiple sources before heading to the airport.

The MyTSA mobile app from the Transportation Security Administration provides additional real-time crowd-sourced data and general airport delay information. Passengers can also monitor the official JFK website, which updates security wait times regularly throughout the day. Third-party trackers like takeofftimer.com and airlineairport.com offer supplementary estimates, though official airport figures remain the most authoritative.

JFK’s five terminals each operate independent security checkpoints, meaning wait times can differ dramatically depending on departure location. Terminal 4, a major international hub for Delta and others, often sees higher volumes but benefits from multiple lanes. Terminal 8, used primarily by American Airlines, has shown longer waits at times due to concentrated domestic and some international traffic.

Beyond security, travelers should factor in additional time for check-in, baggage drop, customs and border protection for international flights, and ground transportation to the airport. Traffic on major routes like the Van Wyck Expressway and Belt Parkway can add significant delays, especially during weekday rush hours. Ride-share services, taxis and the AirTrain provide options, but planning ahead is essential.

Airport authorities recommend downloading the JFK app or visiting jfkairport.com for the latest updates on security, gates, parking and other services. Real-time flight status information helps passengers adjust arrival times based on any delays.

For frequent flyers, enrolling in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry can dramatically reduce stress and time at security. These programs use pre-screening and biometrics to expedite the process, with many users reporting near-instant clearance even on busier days.

Monday’s relatively manageable lines come amid a busy spring travel season, with spring break crowds largely passed but summer vacation planning underway. International travel continues to rebound strongly, adding pressure to terminals handling overseas flights.

TSA emphasizes that wait times are estimates and encourages patience and compliance with screening procedures to keep lines moving efficiently. Prohibited items or secondary screenings can create temporary backups, though most passengers clear without issue when prepared.

As the day progresses, afternoon and evening rushes may increase volumes, particularly if multiple wide-body international departures align. Travelers departing later Monday or early Tuesday should monitor updates closely.

JFK remains a vital economic engine for the New York region, supporting tourism, business travel and cargo operations. Efficient security processing plays a key role in maintaining its reputation as a world-class gateway despite occasional challenges from high passenger throughput.

Passengers with questions about specific terminals or needing accessibility assistance can contact airport customer service or airline representatives. Ground staff and TSA officers are positioned to help direct travelers and manage flow.

For those connecting through JFK or arriving from other flights, internal transit times between terminals via AirTrain or walking should also be considered when calculating overall airport time.

In summary, current TSA security wait times at JFK on April 13, 2026, remain within typical moderate ranges for a weekday, with most terminals under 25 minutes for general screening and under 10 minutes for PreCheck. Travelers are advised to check real-time sources, arrive with ample buffer time, and use expedited programs when possible to ensure a smooth experience.

Whether heading out on business, leisure or international adventures, staying informed about JFK’s dynamic security environment helps minimize stress in one of the world’s busiest airports.