The review embargo for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie lifted yesterday afternoon, and we now have a Rotten Tomatoes score for this follow-up to 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Like that, it's firmly in "Rotten" territory on the review aggregator.
That first instalment received a 59% score from critics, but a glowing 95% on the Popcornmeter. It was also a huge financial success, so there's no reason to believe it's game over for Mario and company with its 44% score on the Tomatometer (based on 84 verdicts).
Critics aren't being kind to Illumination's video game adaptation, with the prevailing opinion being that the sequel is paper-thin and too light on story to make much of an impact on anyone other than die-hard Nintendo fans...who may yet be disappointed by what sounds like an endless barrage of cameos and Easter Eggs.
Perhaps the most damning verdict comes from The Wrap. The trade declares, "This lazy junk will probably make a billion dollars!"
Things don't get any better from there. Over to Nerdist, and it's said, "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and its vibes and quips and video game references might delight Nintendo-philes without ever having to tell a story. But if this is all we're ever going to get from Nintendo's cinematic offerings, I'll opt not to play again."
IGN writes, "It’s fun seeing all that stuff on screen, but without some kind of relatable story thriving underneath those references, it’s not as effective as it could be." Looper seemed to share a similar sentiment, but acknowledged, "I can make no great intellectual defense of this movie, and it doesn't belong in any serious 'Animation is Cinema' memes, but I had a good time."
Some critics couldn't look past The Super Mario Galaxy Movie's failure to live up to the game it shares a name with. As Discussing Film put it, "The original Super Mario Galaxy game from 2007 shouldn’t feel far more cinematic, epic, emotional, and sophisticated than a 100-million-dollar animated movie."
GamesRadar+ explained, "The boundless inventiveness Nintendo is known for never quite bleeds through as you would expect, especially as an adaptation of one of Mario's most beloved 3D platformers." The Guardian, however, was far harsher: "Of course it’s intended for little kids, but it surely didn’t need to be such a visually dull screensaver of a movie, with even more of the cheesy, Euro-knockoff look of that first film."
The Times went one step further with a 0* score and a blistering, "The film is torturous to sit through and, for me, provoked periods of actual physical discomfort." Variety's review, while also negative, was a little more balanced in its similar disdain. "Not a single one of these characters, including Mario and Luigi, occupies the center of 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.' And that’s because the movie has no center."
Were there any good reviews? JoBlo.com calls it "hyperactive, but fans will still like it - as will kids," and Big Gold Bet Media exclaimed, "While rooted in nostalgia, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie delivers a visually stunning and forward-moving expansion of Nintendo’s universe."
Lyles' Movie Files added, "A welcome follow-up in the Super Mario Bros’ movie franchise, Super Mario Galaxy Movie should have no trouble leveling up at the box office."
It's a good point. Over Easter, the sequel is expected to earn $350 million worldwide, putting it on track to match the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide.
Like many animated franchises, this one will likely be critic-proof, but poor word-of-mouth could still slow its momentum in the weeks ahead.
Even the "Fresh" reviews aren't overly kind, but as you can see above, many of the negative ones really go all in on a movie, making it sound thoroughly unwatchable. An overreaction? Perhaps, and plenty of people will argue that this is a franchise not made for critics.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is an animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros., and follows The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which was released in 2023 and earned more than $1.3 billion worldwide. Both the 2023 film and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie were produced by Chris Meledandri of Illumination and Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is directed by returning filmmakers Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, from a screenplay by returning screenwriter Matthew Fogel, with Brian Tyler returning to compose the score.
Benny Safdie and Brie Larson were the last major additions to the cast as Princess Rosalina and Bowser Jr., with Chris Pratt (Mario), Anya Taylor-Joy (Princess Peach), Charlie Day (Luigi), Jack Black (Bowser), Keegan-Michael Key (Toad), and Kevin Michael Richardson (Kamek) all reprising their roles from The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will be released in theaters on April 3, 2026.