The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
April 1st, 2026
MOVIE: THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE
STARRING: CHRIS PRATT, ANYA TAYLOR-JOY, JACK BLACK, CHARLIE DAY, BENNY SAFDIE
DIRECTED BY: AARON HORVATH, MICHAEL JELENIC, PIERRE LEDUC, FABIEN POLACK
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 2 STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: PG
RUN TIME: 98 MINUTES
It’s difficult for someone my age- 41- to review a Super Mario Bros. movie. I grew up with these games; nearly every day, my brother, sister, and I would sit glued to the TV, controllers in hand, determined to beat just one more level. That’s why 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, from Illumination (the team behind Minions), felt like such a pleasant surprise- it got enough right to honor something many of us hold close.
Now we have the sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, loosely inspired by the beloved game. It promises more: more Easter eggs, bigger set pieces, brighter colors. Unfortunately, that excess is also its biggest flaw. The film is so overstuffed and rushed that it never gives us time to enjoy the adventure it’s trying to create. Kids will likely love it; adults may feel their kids deserve something better.
The story picks up where the first film left off. Bowser (Jack Black) has been shrunk and imprisoned by Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) in the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) set off on a new mission, where they meet Yoshi (Donald Glover). Meanwhile, Peach learns that her long-lost sister, Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson), has been kidnapped by Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie). As the characters split off on separate paths, Bowser Jr. attacks the kingdom, forcing Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi into a race to stop Bowser Jr. before he takes over the entire universe.
At its core, Galaxy lacks depth, which makes it all the more disappointing. The screenplay by Matthew Fogel rarely pauses to let characters breathe, connect, or develop. Instead, the film barrels forward with a clear agenda: introduce as many Nintendo characters as possible, jump rapidly between “levels,” and throw in a steady stream of villains- from Wart (voiced by Luis Guzmán) to the Honey Queen (Issa Rae). The result is a blur of moments that are hard to process, let alone appreciate.
That’s not to say it’s without charm. Theaters will be filled with kids delighting in every reference: Yoshi’s arrival, Bob-ombs, lava jumps, Pokey the cactus, and Rosalina’s star-powered abilities. Even I found myself smiling at times, happy to see this world expand and come to life. But those moments are fleeting- and not enough to elevate the film into something truly memorable.
The reality is that the Mario universe is perfectly suited for modern blockbuster filmmaking: it’s easy to market, appeals to all ages, and naturally lends itself to expansion. But that doesn’t excuse weak storytelling. Even animated films- and especially those aimed at children- deserve care, focus, and heart. With four directors at the helm, Galaxy feels more like a crowded collaboration than a cohesive vision.
There will almost certainly be a third installment. One can only hope it slows down, tells a stronger story, and remembers what made audiences fall in love with Mario in the first place. As for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, this time, it’s game over.
2 STARS
THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE IS PLAYING IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE ON THURSDAY, APRIL 2ND, 2026.
Written by: Leo Brady
