The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)

42% on Rotten Tomatoes (out of 187 reviews) 

Runtime: 98 minutes

Directed by: Aaron Horvath/Michael Jelenic/Pierre Leduc

Starring: Quite a few famous faces

From: Universal/Nintendo 

To echo the thoughts of (presumably) many, I’d also like an 80’s cartoon series of [redacted.]

Despite the frostier reception that this sequel has received so far, I was still interested in a viewing due to my finding the original film to be fine—a safe story, but competent, w/ great visuals and humor that typically didn’t bother me too much. As I explained in that review, I’m someone who only knows the franchise from the 80’s & 90’s… and the awesomely bad 90’s film and the first Super Smash Brothers game. Getting to check out the movie in 3D was an additional delight; those effects were nice.

My opinions of the 2023 movie as “safe story, but competent” also apply to Galaxy. The references to the universe made in 2000 and after mostly flew over my head yet the plot still was fun. Is it as in-depth & complex as Pixar (well, vintage Pixar)? Nope—doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with a story where Bowser, Jr. wishes to rescue his father & also make him proud, which is done by kidnapping Peach’s sister Rosalina so her powers could be used to help end the universe. 

I was entertained by the spectacle, Yoshi & the other characters introduced (including one that wasn’t in the trailers & as that character is well-known in the universe, someone in the audience had an audible reaction during their opening scene), the action setpieces-including a scene that Joe Bob Briggs would describe as UMBRELLA-FU, and best of all, how delightfully colorful the movie is, especially in 3D.

As an aside, a recent mutual on Letterboxd might want me to mention that the voice cast featured several Black actors: Donald Glover, Keegan-Michael Key, & Kevin Michael Richardson. It can be argued whether a cast full of famous actors was right for an animated picture but colorblind casting in this field is fine with me. What I appreciated returning was the return of the Kamek character, a.k.a. the dude designed to look & sound like Peter Lorre.

The expectations weren’t high-especially after the negative reviews-but I was mostly fine w/ Galaxy. Yes, more than one character arguably should have had more screentime for the story being told, among other valid criticisms. Even then, I was entertained by what may be a rare new popcorn film I check out in 2026. Yes, even I am not immune to fanservice moments that reminded me of games played during my youth.