Super Mario Galaxy Fever, KPop Demon Hunters Mania, and a Shifting Disney Villains Land (Ep. 352)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Tv & Film

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 31 March 2026

⏱️ 48 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor unpack a packed week in animation, from Universal’s massive push behind Super Mario Bros. Galaxy to the continued global surge of KPop Demon Hunters. They also break down the latest box office winners, Pixar’s underappreciated Hoppers, and what’s really going on with Disney’s evolving Villains Land plans. Plus, a look at DreamWorks’ ambitious Forgotten Island and how live-action remakes keep reshaping animation’s future. HIGHLIGHTS • Super Mario Bros. Galaxy gears up for a massive $150–$165 million opening, with Universal deploying aggressive cross-promotion across NBC and its theme parks • Project Hail Mary holds strong at No. 1 with $300 million worldwide, blending practical puppetry and VFX for its standout character Rocky • Pixar’s Hoppers nears $300 million globally, continuing the studio’s tradition of dual-form character storytelling • KPop Demon Hunters expands into a full franchise with a sequel planned for 2029, a global live tour in development, and continued music dominance • Streaming windows tighten as films like Goat, Zootopia 2, and Search for SquarePants quickly transition to digital platforms • Disney’s Villains Land plans shift toward a more playful, interactive tone, with concepts like an Ursula spinner and a Villains Funhouse coaster resurging • DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island aims for bold, personal storytelling from Puss in Boots: The Last Wish filmmakers Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado • Live-action remake strategy evolves with returning voice actors like Gerard Butler and Cate Blanchett, while Moana continues to expand across film and parks HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Drew Taylor - IG: @drewtailored | X: @DrewTailored | Website: drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic. If a Disney or Universal trip is on your radar for 2026, Unlocked Magic helps you secure great ticket deals with expert guidance from people who truly know the parks. Start planning your next adventure at UnlockedMagic.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome back to fine tuning with Drew Taylor, your one-stop shop when it comes to animation news and commentary.
0:05.9	I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill and Mr. Taylor, whose writings on the industry you can regularly read over on the rap,
0:12.8	and his musings on the Mission Impossible movies, you can still listen to on Light the Fuse, the official Mission Impossible podcast.
0:23.4	He and I are recording this week's show on Monday, March 30th, 2026, which is the week that Super Mario Brothers
0:30.8	Galaxy movie opens in theaters. And you're going to get to see that tonight, right?
0:36.2	Yes, I am, so we'll have to wait until next week for the commentary.
0:56.8	But, you know, a lot of people got to fly out to Japan for the junket gym. I didn't get called. You know, I'm stuck back here, so I'll be seeing it at the Grove tonight. But, yeah, we'll talk all about it next week, I'm sure. Okay. And just so folks know, the world premiere for that was held in Kyoto.
0:56.8	Actually, We'll talk all about it next week, I'm sure. Okay. And just so folks know, the world premiere for that was held in Kyoto,
1:00.3	actually on the 28th this past weekend.
1:11.6	And look, given that the original Super Mario Brothers movie made 1.3 billion world ride back in 2006.
1:16.6	I hopes are pretty high that the sequel does just as well.
1:18.4	It might even surpass that.
1:19.3	Is that what you're hearing, Drew?
1:24.6	Yeah, I mean, we'll talk about the box office, but yeah, I think everybody's going to be running into it.
1:29.3	A giant brick wall called Super Mario Galaxy movie this week.
1:30.1	But, yeah.
1:30.4	Yeah.
1:32.6	The expectations are high, for sure. No, and in fact, what's, you know, what's been talked about, I guess, is the biggest opening weekend of the year to date.
1:39.7	And, you know, I want to remind folks that, yes, Fire and Ash, which, by the way, still out in 175 theaters around the country right now, has earned $1.4 billion to date.
1:53.6	But that, given that that opened on, what, December 19th, that that's counted as a 2025 film, right?
2:01.3	Correct.
2:02.0	Okay.
	...

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