The Wasteland Reviewer

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) Written Review

Are we ready to dive back into the wonderful Nintendo world of Mario? Illumination found themselves a gold mine when they made the connection with Nintendo to bring the Super Mario Bros. franchise to life in vibrant animation. The first film made an obscene amount of money and greatly divided critics and audiences. The film was like cotton candy…not great cuisine but plenty of light airy sugar for audiences (most kids) to devour. The film captures the world well with plenty of references, but the plot is loose and simple. Bright. Colorful. High energy. Exactly what kids want…but not necessarily the adults in the room. But we are all back together again with the release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. 

What does the duo of Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic bring to this biggest sequel? Looking at the visual…The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is just straight up gorgeous. You cannot deny the amount of life and detail that is brought to the animation of this vast galaxy of various worlds and locations. The amount of detail, lighting, and color is just jaw-dropping. The vibrant colors of this film will be a treat for the eyes for the whole 100 minutes of runtime. The pacing never lets up either. There are few moments that will slow up and breathe. That kid pacing is living on strong in this film. The tone of the film is mostly fun and joyous with so much fun and silliness to be had. There are a few moments with a slightly heavier tone (whether it is for emotional impact or for some frights) but the film is mostly satisfied with just being a light romp across the vast world of The Super Mario Bros. Humor is certainly fun and (for the well informed fans in attendance) there are plenty of references to put a smile on your face. 

Does the screenplay from Matthew Fogel match the charm and vibrance of the presentation? Well…the narrative is certainly not the strength of the film. Those claiming “there is no plot” are serving up hyperbole. There is certainly a clear and simple story at the core of the film. Bowser Jr. kidnaps Princess Rosalina to destroy the galaxy and only Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, and (the newly introduced) Yoshi can stop them. The film is based on an adventure series that is not known for its plot and rich stories. These games are known for the vast creative worlds full of memorable creatures and beings. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is exactly that and nothing more. The film jumps from one world to another, introducing roadblocks at every turn, and fun new allies to make along the way. If that simple set up and episodic structure is enough for you, this film will deliver a satisfying experience. If you want a rich story that builds and builds, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will leave a lot to be desired. Bowser has the most fun and interesting arc as he struggles with breaking good and reverting to evil to be by his son’s side. Outside of that, Peach searches for the mysterious Rosalina and the mysterious of her past and Mario seeks to finally earn Peaches affection. Introduced but not deep enough to truly hit. Bowser Jr. is trying to prove himself to his father but most of the characters are just along for the ride (but Yoshi does get a funny and clever backstory that stands out).

What is the most fun aspect of the film? The cast! Not everyone is memorable or dynamic (looking at you, Chris Pratt) but some truly shine. Jack Black is the real standout yet again as Bowser with all his endless personality. Brie Larson is charming, sweet, and maternal like Rosalina. All the young performers who bring her Star Children to life are so much fun as well. Charlie Day continues to be a fun standout as Luigi and Benny Safdie is a fun addition as Bowser Jr. Donald Glover (with minimal actual vocabulary) as Yoshi and Glen Powell as Fox McCloud are a pair of shining additions. Anya Taylor-Joy brings some good emotion this time around a Peach. Kevin Michael Richardson, Luis Guzman, and Issa Rae get their moments in smaller supporting roles. 

Does The Super Mario Galaxy Movie deliver much more than its predecessor? First off, there are so many wonderful, delightful references for the Mario fans out there. There are some 8-bits animation at times that bring the gameplay of the original games to life in a charming way. The world building is unmatched with so many places and characters from the games coming to life on screen. The voice cast is quite extensive and talented as well. The animation is just breathtaking. But the story is lean, shallow, and not as compelling as it could have been. The sense of adventure from the games is there (with plenty of musical motifs to remind you) but the overall experience is just too light to truly soar.