Whether you grew up playing Super Mario video games, fell in love with the 1993 live-action film ‘Super Mario Bros.‘, or felt rejuvenated after experiencing The Super Mario Bros Movie in 2023. ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie‘ soared to over $370 million dollars worldwide. One of the best opening weekend box office numbers yet in 2026. However, if you were expecting more depth for the sequel you might’ve left disappointed.
Spoilers ahead!
Super Mario Galaxy Movie is Entertaining
Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson) the adoptive mother of the Lumas living in the Comet Observatory, gets kidnapped by Bowser Jr.(Benny Safdie). Who plots to drain her power to create life to fuel a universe-destroying cannon in honor of his father, Bowswer(Jack Black). Who was defeated by Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi(Charlie Day.) Then shrunken by Princess Peach(Ana Taylor-Joy). Rosalina sends a Luma to the Mushroom Kingdom, where it enlists Peach and Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) for help. Mario and Luigi inspect a disturbance in the desert town of Tosterena. Where they meet and befriend the dinosaur Yoshi(Donald Glover) who had hatched in Brooklyn. Yoshi was pursued back to his home world after breaking a dinosaur skeleton. In Peach and Toad’s absence, Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi protect the Mushroom Kingdom and attempt to rehabilitate Bowser.
Bowser Jr. lifts Peach’s castle into space in an attempt to free his father. However, a battle with the brothers and Yoshi causes his spaceship to drop the castle into the Honeyhive Galaxy. Bowser goads Mario into attacking him, thus unshrinking him. He offers to be arrested in exchange for the brothers and Yoshi,then is abducted by his son. Whom he had not seen in years. In the Gateway Galaxy, Toad’s backpack is stolen by monkey thief Ukiki, who takes it to a casino. Peach interrogates Wart(Luis Guzman), the casino’s owner, who reveals Rosalina’s location to be the Space Junk Galaxy.
Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi reunite with Peach and Toad, who have hired pilot Fox McCloud(Glenn Powell) to transport the group. Fox’s spaceship crash lands into Fossil Falls after an attack from Bowser Jr., where turns Mario and Luigi into babies. Bowser expresses regret over double-crossing the brothers. He wants to return to his old ways to mend his relationship with his son. Yoshi finds the Super Scope, rescues the brothers from a Tyrannosaurus, and restores their ages. Luigi alerts the Lumas to pick them up in the Comet Observatory. Where Peach discovers that she has the same powers as Rosalina, her long-lost older sister. They were born from stardust. Rosalina sent an infant Peach to the Mushroom Kingdom to protect her from an unidentified attacker.
Overall Thoughts
I’ve always found the beauty in Super Mario Bros games growing up is in its simplicity. It’s entertaining and was about getting from point A to point B. There was always a goal that you were trying to achieve.
While visually stunning and a score that is masterful, I enjoyed watching the film even if at times it felt like there were no real stakes. There are ways to expand the simplicity in the video games. While creating more depth in the cinematic universe. The sequel unfortunately decided to stick with endless easter eggs, callbacks and amazing visuals.
If you’re not as familiar with the games or lore it might make you feel like you got whiplash. How Bowser’s rehabilitation was immediately forgone that quickly. There are not any real stakes after working on bettering himself other than not wanting to teach his son another way to exist. Bowser has a tendency to switch his morality on and off. Sometimes evil and sometime anti-hero whenever the mood strikes. Though I enjoy the idea of just letting villain characters stay villains without a need of redemption.
Princess Rosalina’s original lore has changed. Instead of them not having any relation prior, it is now canon that Princess Rosalina and Princess Peach are sisters. Up until the latest movie, Princess Rosalina story has been vague. While the change isn’t a bad one I wish we got more time with their sisterly dynamic.
While visually stunning and a score that is masterful, I enjoyed watching the film even if there were no real stakes in the plot. ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie‘ is perfect for audience of all ages that want to enjoy the ride.
