The One Thing You Need to Know Before Watching the Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Before you warp into the Super Mario Galaxy Movie, snag the must-know details to level up the galaxy-spanning sequel from Illumination, Nintendo and Universal directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
Alright, so The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has finally landed in theaters, and if you’re a Nintendo fan (or just Mario-curious), there are a few things you might want to know before you start tossing popcorn into your mouth. Trust me, you’ll want to set some expectations going in—there are a few surprises, and not all of them are the good kind.
What You’re Getting Into
This is the big follow-up to 2023’s insanely successful Super Mario Bros. Movie. This time, Illumination, Universal, and Nintendo are tapping the wild, space-faring world of Super Mario Galaxy (plus its 2010 sequel) for inspiration. You’ve got Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic in the director’s chairs, which should sound familiar because they handled the first movie, too.
The Voice Cast: Seriously Stacked
The movie’s cast is loaded with big names. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Chris Pratt as Mario (yes, he’s still Mario)
- Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach
- Charlie Day as Luigi
- Jack Black as Bowser
- Keegan-Michael Key as Toad
- Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr.
- Donald Glover as Yoshi
- Brie Larson as Princess Rosalina
- Glen Powell as Fox McCloud (wait, what?!)
That last one isn’t a typo. Yes, Fox McCloud from Star Fox apparently drops in—more on that in a second.
Meteor-Sized Expectations
Early reviews are… well, let’s just say they’re not all rainbows and Invincibility Stars. Out of 91 reviews, the movie’s sitting at 44% on Rotten Tomatoes. Some critics are calling it fun and breezy, but others are less kind, labeling it flat, uninspired, and pretty juvenile. Not gonna sugarcoat it—if you were hoping for another lightning-in-a-bottle Mario movie, you might want to brace yourself.
Rosalina: Don’t Get Too Hyped
If you’re a die-hard fan of Super Mario Galaxy, you’re probably hoping Princess Rosalina gets her big moment. Brace yourself: Brie Larson’s Rosalina basically gets the short end of the Power Star. According to reviewers, her role is tiny and doesn’t leave much of an impact. So, if you’re buying a ticket on the hope of seeing a Rosalina showcase, maybe lower those hopes a bit.
Fox McCloud: Yes, He’s Actually in This
Now, here’s where things get a bit weird. Glen Powell is voicing Fox McCloud—which, if you know your Nintendo characters, doesn’t make a ton of story sense, since he’s from a completely different series. Sure, Mario and Fox have thrown down together in Super Smash Bros., but nobody really saw a Mario movie morphing into a stealth Star Fox crossover. Anyway, Powell’s Fox doesn’t show up until about halfway through, but once he does, he gets a surprising amount of screen time—WAY more than Rosalina, for what that’s worth.
Stick Around After the Credits
If you’re a credits-watcher (or just like being the last one out), you’ll be happy to know there’s a post-credits scene. Apparently, it’s worth sticking around for—so don’t sprint out the exit as soon as things fade to black.
'Some fans might come away feeling like not every character gets their proper due in this one, but the movie does take some swings that nobody really saw coming.'
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is out now in theaters across the US. If you see it, come back and let me know: was Fox McCloud a genius idea, or are you still bitter about Rosalina’s five minutes of screen time?