So This is What Yoshi Looks Like in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie?
Oh yeah, it’s official—and he looks adorable. The little green dinosaur finally gets his full big-screen debut in the just-dropped new trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, revealed today (January 25, 2026) during a special Nintendo Direct. Yoshi’s design stays super faithful to his classic game look: big expressive eyes, vibrant green scales, a long stretchy tongue for snacking on enemies, and that signature saddle-back ready for Mario rides.
No major tweaks here—Nintendo and Illumination nailed the faithful vibe fans have been craving since his post-credits egg tease in the 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie.
The Trailer Breakdown: Galaxies, New Friends, and Pure Chaos
This latest trailer ramps up the hype big time. Clocking in short and sweet, it picks up right after the first movie: Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) are now Mushroom Kingdom guardians, chilling until Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie, channeling chaotic kid energy) plots to bust his dad Bowser (Jack Black) out of the slammer. Cue an epic galaxy-hopping chase with Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), and newcomer Rosalina (Brie Larson, voicing the starry space guardian who raises the adorable star-kid Lumas).
Key highlights:
Yoshi’s grand entrance: Mario and Luigi team up with him for some high-speed dino-riding action across cosmic planets. He even “speaks” in those classic mumbled “Yoshi!” yelps—helium-high-pitched and full of personality.
Deep-cut cameos: Birdo lobs eggs at Peach like a boss, a stomping T. Rex from Super Mario Odyssey chases the crew, and there’s a quick Mouser sighting.
Power-up nostalgia: Fire Flowers let Mario and Luigi go full flame-bro mode.
Galaxy flair: Comet Observatory teases, swirling planets, and Lumas floating around scream Super Mario Galaxy. Baby Mario and Luigi nods hint at Yoshi’s Island-style origins.
Animation is fully wrapped, and the film is now in post-production with Brian Tyler scoring—blending Galaxy OST themes via a 70-piece orchestra and Skywalker Sound. Shigeru Miyamoto popped in to hype Yoshi as just one of many “familiar faces” getting active roles. Trailer tagline: “New galaxies. New friends.”
Known Movie Details
This is Illumination’s sequel to the 2023 billion-dollar smash (The Super Mario Bros. Movie), directed again by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, with Matthew Fogel scripting. Producers Chris Meledandri (Illumination) and Shigeru Miyamoto (Nintendo) return, promising even more game-accurate fanservice after the first film’s mixed critical reception.
Mario: Chris Pratt
Luigi: Charlie Day
Princess Peach: Anya Taylor-Joy
Bowser: Jack Black
Bowser Jr.: Benny Safdie
Toad: Keegan-Michael Key
Rosalina: Brie Larson
Release: April 1, 2026 (global), April 26 in Japan. Expectations are sky-high following the original film’s massive audience approval.
Yoshi and His Storied History
Yoshi has been Mario’s trusted steed since Super Mario World launched on the SNES in 1990. Created by designer Shigefumi Hino, Yoshi originated from Yoshi’s Island and quickly became a franchise staple. His abilities include swallowing enemies to turn them into eggs, flutter-jumping, ground-pounding, and color-based powers.
He has starred in solo titles like Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, Yoshi’s Story, and Yoshi’s Woolly World, while remaining a fixture in Mario Kart, Mario Party, and nearly every mainline Mario game—including a major role in Super Mario Galaxy 2.
His full name remains one of Nintendo’s greatest trivia bombs: T. Yoshisaur Munchakoopas.
Games Referenced in the Movie
The trailer blends Galaxy spectacle with deep-cut lore:
Core influence: Super Mario Galaxy (Wii, 2007/2010)
Additional nods: Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario Bros. 2, Yoshi’s Island
Iconic items: Fire Flowers, Baby Mario and Luigi, Bowser Jr.’s recurring chaos
This sequel doubles as a love letter to more than three decades of Mario history.
Nintendo’s Takeover of Universal Parks
Nintendo’s partnership with Universal continues to reshape theme parks worldwide. Super Nintendo World now anchors:
Japan (2021): Mario Kart, Yoshi’s Adventure, and a major 5th anniversary celebration running March 18, 2026 through January 11, 2027.
Hollywood (2023): Core attractions plus 2026 Fan Fest Nights themed around Yoshi.
Orlando (Epic Universe, 2025): Full-scale land with Donkey Kong Country expansion.
With Pokémon lands also on the way, Nintendo’s IP dominance is only growing. Expect the Super Mario Galaxy Movie to feed directly into park promotions and crossovers.
This sequel is shaping up to eclipse the original. Yoshi is finally here, the galaxy is wide open, and Nintendo knows exactly what it’s doing.