The Super Mario Bros. Movie was a highly successful box office hit, generating approximately $1.36 billion worldwide, showcasing the potential of video game-to-screen adaptations. Additionally, the Rabbids, characters from a spin-off of Ubisoft's Rayman franchise, have the potential to be formidable successors and competitors to Illumination's Minions. The Rabbids movie has been in production for a decade, but its enduring appeal is undeniable.
Illumination's Minions franchise could rival An Unexpected Video Game Series if it were finally given the Super Mario Bros. Movie treatment after being stuck in production hell.
In fact, Illumination, in collaboration with Universal Studios and Nintendo, released one of the year's biggest blockbuster movies, Animated or otherwise. Based on Nintendo's flagship, Koopa-stomping plumber franchise, The Super Mario Bros. Movie garnered a whopping $1.36 billion at the global box office. Despite drawing initial criticism for the actors chosen to voice its cast of iconic characters, Super Mario Bros. defied expectations in a huge way. There are few properties that can strike such gold, but one video game series stands out as a Super Mario Bros. successor — and a Minions competitor.
Love them or hate them, Illumination's Minions are an inescapable part of pop culture. Their presence is undeniable, from their first appearance as the henchmen of supervillain Gru in the 2010s Despicable Me to their numerous spin-off films and merchandise. The impressive gross of 2022's Minions: The Rise of Gru, only surpassed by The Super Mario Bros. Movie, is a testament to their enduring appeal. While it is difficult to imagine a worthy successor to either property, Illumination's Minions seem to be the most promising candidate for the role.
A spinoff of Ubisoft's iconic 90s platformer Rayman, the Raving Rabbids franchise has become even more popular than its parent property. Despite being rabbit-like aliens, the titular Rabbids are like the mischievous Minions, showcasing their comedic and mischievous nature through various iterations. With the initial release of the 2006 Wii party game Rayman Raving Rabbids, the Rabbids have garnered significant virality, leading Ubisoft to reconsider the use of the "Rayman" moniker in future game titles. The Rabbids have also had cameos and collaborated with other franchises, demonstrating their growing impact and potential for mainstream success.
Rabbids Invasion aired on Netflix from 2014 to 2018, followed by a 2021 special, Mission to Mars. While a Rabbids movie has yet to come to fruition, an adaptation has been in the works for a decade. In 2014, Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation began collaborating on an adaptation of the series. In 2019, Ubisoft and Lionsgate announced a new partnership around the Rabbids movie. In April 2022, an animation test was leaked on Vimeo, featuring two CGI Rabbids interacting with a live-action environment.
The Rabbids movie remains a captivating prospect, especially in the wake of Illumination's blockbuster success. The collaboration between Illumination and Nintendo suggests immense financial potential. Like the Mario franchise, Rabbids boasts a vast and diverse world brimming with characters and fun locations to explore. However, its malleability sets it apart from the Mario series. Additionally, the Rabbids possess a unique blend of whimsical charm and chaotic, comical elements that appeal to children of all ages. This suggests that a Rabbids movie could effectively combine elements of both Illumination franchises.