The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)
Directed by: Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic and Pierre Leduc
Premise: A sequel to the 2023 animated film. Mario and Luigi (voices of Chris Pratt, Charlie Day) help Princess Peach (voice of Anya Taylor-Joy) investigate her family. Meanwhile, Bowser Jr. (voice of Benny Safdie) kidnaps Princess Rosalina (voice of Brie Larson) and plots to break his father out of prison.
What Works: Both of the animated Super Mario Bros. movies are geared toward the fanbase. They are specifically designed to appeal to viewers who played the games and are steeped in the minutia. For them, the movie ought to satisfy in the way a lot of contemporary franchise films do. The viewing experience is a parade of references that are placed less for storytelling purposes and more to reward fan fealty. Like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie uses the multi-verse conceit to rope in various Nintendo properties such as Fox McCloud (voice of Glen Powell). Unlike some other franchise films, the creators of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie do not overstay their welcome. The film only runs ninety-eight minutes and includes nearly constant action. The brevity is welcome.
What Doesn’t: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is reminiscent of the lesser Michael Bay-directed Transformers sequels, especially Revenge of the Fallen. Thankfully the Galaxy Movie isn’t nearly as long as that 2009 debacle but it is just as messy and overproduced. The filmmakers have no interest in the characters. Mario has a crush on Princess Peach but their relationship never changes. Luigi is treated as an afterthought. The sequel introduces Yoshi, Fox McCloud, and Princess Rosalina but we don’t learn anything about them and they are given nothing to do. The sequel reintroduces Bowser (voice of Jack Black) who is working on rehabilitating himself until he’s broken out of prison. Bowser has some inner conflict between his new path and his old ways but in the end it all comes to nothing. Even if we allow that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is intended as a fan service piece, that’s no excuse for the slapdash storytelling which is almost completely incoherent. Princess Rosalina is kidnapped by Bowser Jr. who needs her magic to power a super weapon. The search and rescue story is completely mishandled. The characters wander through the galaxy with no sense of direction or purpose. There is an action sequence every few minutes but it’s all filler. Neither characterization nor plot are advanced by the action. As busy as it is, there is no sense of drama or stakes. It’s all noise. A videogame is at least interactive. This is just a parade of product placements.
Bottom Line: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will probably be well received by children and undemanding Nintendo fans. But they deserve better than this. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie uses busyness and fan service in place of storytelling. For all its action, the film is remarkably boring. Not a thing in it is inspiring or engaging.
Episode: #1094 (April 12, 2026)