‘The Super Mario Bros. Galaxy Movie’ : Fun, Familiar, and a Step Back from the First

Director: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic

Writers: Matthew Fogel

Producers: Chris Meledandri, Shigeru Miyamoto

Executive Producers: Russell Ackerman, John Schoenfelder, Carl Hampe, Litvak, and Sokolov.

Starring: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Benny Safdie, Donald Glover, Issa Rae, Luis Guzmán, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Brie Larson  

Rating: PG

Run time: 1 hour and 39 minutes

Release Date: April 1st,2026

There’s a certain expectation that comes with a sequel, especially one following a film as widely embraced as The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The first film worked because it balanced nostalgia with kid-friendly humor, delivering something that felt fun, fast and genuinely entertaining. But that’s the thing—it was always focused on entertaining the audience. Going into The Super Mario Bros. Galaxy Movie, I was expecting that same feeling. And while I did have a good time, it didn’t quite land the same way as the first film.

Not because it lacks energy. Not because it skimps on cameos (there are still plenty), references, or humor. But this time around, the film feels more like something designed for a younger audience first, and everyone else second, which is okay. Not every movie is meant for everyone. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; it just changes the experience.

Where Are the Bros Now?

The film picks up with Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) settling into their roles as protectors of the Mushroom Kingdom, now operating more closely with Princess Peach and her world. There is a fun montage that shows their exciting but exhausting adventures, one of which leads them to find Yoshi (Donald Glover), who has a great introduction, with his origin explained through a montage set to “Hypnotize” by The Notorious B.I.G.

This simple life they had is interrupted when the cute little Lumas come to ask for the help of Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) to save Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson). That’s where things get fun, and the story gets moving.

A World Bigger Than Its Story

Visually, the film is impressive. The shift into a cosmic setting opens the door for vibrant (there are some very bright, flashy colors here), imaginative sequences that feel pulled straight from the games. If you’ve played them, you’ll recognize familiar environments, enemies, and moments that translate well onto the screen.

But while the world gets bigger, the story doesn’t quite grow with it. At its core, the narrative is simple: Peach and Toad head into space, and Mario and Luigi follow. There are obstacles, battles, and even some emotional beats, especially when it comes to Mario’s feelings for Peach, but none of it is fully explored. The film introduces these ideas, but rarely stays with them long enough for them to really land.

It ends up feeling less like a story that unfolds and more like a series of moments, moving from one set piece to the next, focused on action, jokes, and slapstick rather than building something deeper. But as I mentioned, that’s not really the point of the film—it’s meant to be fun.

The Standouts

Where the film really finds its excitement is Yoshi, voiced by Glover, who speaks in his own language that no one understands, but has enough. He has moments where he’s co-signing, making gestures that are hilarious and has a closer relationship with Luigi, which makes me want to see more of this in the next film…cause you know there will be a sequel. 

Then there’s Fox McCloud, voiced by Glen Powell, who brings a different kind of energy altogether. His inclusion feels like a bridge between Nintendo worlds. Heck, his introduction includes a brief origin story, including images from the game and jokes, that had me laughing. 

Powell gives the character confidence, charisma, and an edge that stand out in a film. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more of him in the future. And Toad’s (Keegan-Michael Key) admiration towards Fox McCloud was also nice, because he sees him as this Tom Cruise Top Gun character, which is funny since Powell was in Top Gun: Maverick.

Jack Black returns as King Koopa, a fan favorite thanks to “Peaches,” and while that song still is great, sorry folks—there’s no new track that’s going to live rent-free in our heads or have kids repeating it all day. His screen time also feels a bit reduced this time around, and the character isn’t given as much to do. That said, Black is still a joy to hear whenever his character is on screen.

The Experience Over the Film

Sitting in the theater, watching a few families, kids excited, people walking in with themed shirts, popcorn buckets and snacks, overhearing about what game levels and characters amongst others in attendance,  it became clear what this film is really aiming for.

The film works best as part of that experience: a matinee, a shared moment, something light and easy to enjoy. In that sense, it succeeds. It delivers exactly what it promises—a fun time, visually engaging, familiar, and accessible. But as a film, it doesn’t push much further than that.

Honestly, there were a few moments that got me excited, the use of the iconic Mario map, a brief 2-D side-scrolling sequence that nods to the original game, and even a cameo from R.O.B., Nintendo’s 1980s robot. Talk about a throwback.

Final Thoughts

The Super Mario Bros. Galaxy Movie isn’t a bad sequel. It’s entertaining, colorful, has a good soundtrack, and is filled with moments that will resonate with its target audience. But it doesn’t quite capture the magic that made the first film stand out. Instead, it plays things safe.

There’s a bigger world here, more characters, and more possibilities, and the film does take advantage of that. It moves quickly, keeps things light, and leans into its strong visuals to keep the audience engaged.

In the end, it feels less like a step forward and more like a continuation meant to keep the franchise going for fans and kids to enjoy. And sometimes, that’s enough. My rating for this film is 6.5/10. Bring the family for a good time, or go in with an open mind, take a break from responsible adulting, and just enjoy the humor and nostalgia. If you’re up for it, pay a little extra for the 4DX experience.

Stay a little for the post-credit scenes too!