The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026): An Honest Review for Mario Fans

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026): An Honest Review for Mario Fans

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has sparked quite a debate, with critics giving it a 42% Tomatometer score while audiences rated it 89%. As a longtime Mario fan, I needed to see for myself what this divide was all about. The film brings Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach on an adventure across the galaxy, returning to the colorful and entertaining world we love. Indeed, the visuals are impressive, but the movie suffers from a noticeable decrease in story.

In this review, I'll break down what The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) does well and where it stumbles. We'll examine the Super Mario Galaxy Movie cast performances, explore The Super Mario Galaxy Movie characters including Rosalina's role, and help you decide if it's worth your time.

What The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) Gets Right

Stunning Visuals and Animation Quality

Illumination delivered their strongest animation work yet with this sequel. The bright, glossy esthetic captures every colorful aspect of the Mario universe perfectly. Each frame could serve as a poster, with richly-textured environments that bring Nintendo's worlds to life in ways fans have imagined for decades.

The animators took creative risks by experimenting with different visual styles throughout the film. Certain sequences incorporate anime-inspired animation and 8-bit throwbacks that pay homage to the franchise's roots. A dazzling space chase sequence and a long, continuous shot of characters escaping a collapsing building showcase technical mastery that elevates the action beyond typical animated fare.

Nostalgia-Filled Moments for Long-Time Fans

The Comet Observatory serves as a central location in the film, and its design directly mirrors the hub world from the original Super Mario Galaxy game. When Princess Rosalina reads stories to the Lumas from her large book, longtime fans will recognize this moment from the Wii game, where she shared her own backstory.

Small touches add layers of authenticity. The Lumas make their actual game sounds when expressing concern for their captured mother. During Princess Peach's birthday party, Toads hit a piñata designed as 8-bit Bowser from his 1985 NES debut. These moments reward fans who've followed Mario's journey across four decades.

Easter Eggs and Nintendo Game References

The film packs in an absurd amount of references. Yoshi's Brooklyn adventure features a brief Donkey Kong cameo recreating the 1981 arcade game where Mario first appeared. Fox McCloud from Star Fox makes his debut, while Pikmin land briefly in the Gateway Galaxy. Luigi even summons Mr. Game & Watch during the final battle, complete with his iconic Smash Bros. attacks.

The movie recreates classic gameplay moments, including Mario and Peach navigating Bowser Jr.'s custom level through a "Bowser OS" system resembling Super Mario Maker. The final bridge battle mirrors the original Super Mario Bros., with Mario cutting the ax to send Bowser plummeting into lava.

Sound Design and Musical Score

Brian Tyler's score stands as one of the film's strongest elements. Tyler incorporated over 300 references to the video game series throughout the soundtrack. His new themes for Mario, Peach, Yoshi, Rosalina, and Bowser feel cinematic while fitting naturally within the Super Mario universe. The score respectfully nods to Koji Kondo's original compositions, creating what critics describe as "a full-blown auditory expedition" packed with joyful references.

Where The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Falls Short

Weak Story and Plot Issues

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) struggles with a narrative that feels more like a checklist than a cohesive story. The film's primary issue is that no real stakes exist. Bowser Jr. might build a universe-destroying weapon, but obstacles resolve within minutes before you can even process them.

Plot holes riddle the screenplay. During Rosalina's fight with the Megaleg in the opening, she easily overpowers it until a Luma randomly walks out of the library, allowing her capture. This contrivance feels forced just to kick the plot into motion. Similarly, Peach abandons her kingdom without hesitation, and Bowser questions his parenting despite only positive interactions with his son.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie characters undergo zero development. Mario remains identical from start to finish. The film sets up a romantic subplot between Mario and Peach that never pays off. Rosalina's touching backstory from the game gets replaced with what feels like a generic Disney ripoff. Instead of her emotional tale about loss and finding purpose among the stars, the movie tosses it aside entirely.

Rushed Pacing and Lack of Depth

At 98 minutes, the film somehow feels like a slog despite constant action. Critics describe it as a "nonstop barrage" with no meaningful connection between scenes. Characters fly, jump, or fall into new areas only to repeat the cycle.

The screenplay reads like "things just happening" rather than a structured narrative. Emotional beats receive mere minutes before cutting to another action sequence. Bowser and Bowser Jr.'s relationship gets three awkward minutes of discussion before jumping back to chaos.

Missing Emotional Connection

The film rushes past any chance for genuine emotion. The Peach and Rosalina connection gets quickly explained but never explored. The conclusion arrives so abruptly it leaves you wondering if rolling credits was easier than writing actual character resolution.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Cast and Character Performances

Mario and Luigi Voice Acting

Chris Pratt and Charlie Day return as the Mario brothers, delivering serviceable but unremarkable performances. Pratt brings his standard everyman charm to Mario, though his Brooklyn accent feels less prominent than the first film. Day's Luigi gets more screen time this round, particularly during the baby transformation sequence and the paintbrush battle. His nervous energy works well for Luigi's character, but neither actor pushes beyond what we saw previously.

Princess Peach as the MVP

Anya Taylor-Joy dominates The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) as its true protagonist. The film reveals Rosalina as Peach's long-lost sister, adding depth to her quest for family and belonging. Taylor-Joy portrays Peach's vulnerability effectively, showing her frustration as she kicks dirt in anger over mounting obstacles. Her expanded role surpasses Mario's importance, making Peach the standout character performance.

Bowser Jr. and the Villain Dynamic

Benny Safdie delivers a terrific performance as Bowser Jr., sounding exactly like a prepubescent Bowser. His dynamic with Jack Black's returning Bowser creates compelling father-son tension. The film explores Bowser's complexity as he teams up with Mario despite buried resentment, developing a soft spot for the heroes. This conflicted characterization makes Bowser more interesting than his one-note villainy from the first movie.

Rosalina's Role in the Story

Brie Larson's casting as Rosalina promised much but delivered little. After a stunning opening where she battles the Megaleg, Rosalina becomes a living MacGuffin for most of the film. She powers Bowser Jr.'s superweapon while remaining captured, leaving Larson sorely underutilized. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie characters fail to capture Rosalina's beauty and tragedy from the games.

Yoshi and Toad's Supporting Roles

Donald Glover voices Yoshi with minimal dialog, functioning primarily as cute merchandising bait. Keegan-Michael Key returns as Toad in a supporting capacity alongside Peach's investigation scenes.

Is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Worth Watching?

For Mario Fans and Nintendo Enthusiasts

Audiences gave The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) a 90% approval rating, showing fans embraced what critics dismissed. Verified viewers consistently praised the film as "a perfect love letter to Nintendo fans" and recommended it specifically for Mario enthusiasts. The bevy of Nintendo references packed into the sequel resonated strongly with longtime players who appreciated seeing their favorite franchises represented. If you've spent decades with these characters, the nostalgia hits hard enough to overlook narrative shortcomings.

For Families with Young Children

PostTrak scores revealed 79% positive and 62% definite recommend ratings, a considerable step down from the first film's 94% and 82%. Kids in theaters loved the spectacle, but parents should consider age carefully. Children under seven may find certain battles too intense, particularly when Bowser emerges as a skeleton after falling into lava.

Comparing to the First Mario Movie

Critics and fans both preferred the original, which scored 59% with critics and 95% with audiences compared to this sequel's 40% and 90% respectively. The gap widened by nearly 50 percentage points between professional and audience scores.

What to Expect Going In

This film prioritizes crowdpleasing its target audience over critical acclaim. Expect thin story, breakneck pace, and overwhelming cameos rather than emotional depth.

Conclusion

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie delivers stunning visuals and fan service but stumbles with its weak story. Undoubtedly, the nostalgia hits hard for longtime players, even though the narrative feels rushed and hollow. Critics dismissed it, while audiences embraced the spectacle. If you're a Mario fan willing to overlook plot issues for gorgeous animation and endless Easter eggs, you'll enjoy this galaxy adventure. Just don't expect the emotional depth the franchise deserves.