The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Currently only in Theaters

Runtime: 1 Hours 39 Minutes

Rated PG

“Let's a-go!”

After foiling Bowser’s grand scheme to force Princess Peach into marriage, Mario and Luigi find themselves pulled into a new adventure—one that’s bigger, bolder, and more dangerous than ever. This time, the threat comes from Bowser Jr., a determined young villain who has kidnapped a princess, constructed a powerful super-weapon, and set his sights on freeing his father to restore the Koopa legacy. But Bowser Jr. is about to learn a hard lesson—because standing in his way are two fearless Italian plumbers and their loyal new ally, a brave dinosaur named Yoshi. Together, they’ll take on the galaxy itself to save the day.

Themes:‍ ‍

Plumbers, adventure, kidnapping, stories, power, fear, stories, friendship, family, bravery, space travel, sisters, love, Planet Bowser, self-sacrifice, the cosmos, stars, teamwork, loyalty, redemption, nostalgia, Easter Eggs, second chances, forgiveness, fatherhood, being all you can be, right vs wrong, and super weapons.

Language:‍ ‍

There is some minor name-calling, such as “losers” and “lame.”

Stuff to be aware of:‍ ‍

‍ ‍Scary - Characters are chased by a Tyrannosaurus rex. (MAJOR SPOILER ALERT) One character has his skin removed and continues to be in the movie as a skeleton. This is not gory or gruesome necessarily, but could be scary to very young viewers. This character becoming a “dry bones” version of himself is something from the video games, so it has been seen in other forms of media and toys.

‍ ‍Sexual - There are some flirtatious, quiet moments between one male and one female character.

‍ ‍Violence/Gore - Bowser says “mean things” that are meant to be humorous, such as “I’ll burn the skin off your bones” and “I’ll eat your souls.”

(MAJOR SPOILER ALERT) Bowser falls into lava. The audience doesn’t see him hit the lava, but his hand is seen sinking down into the lava and he becomes completely submerged.

‍ ‍Other - There is a fight scene that takes place in a casino. There are multiple characters seen using slot machines and gambling tables.

Overall:‍ ‍

Seeing It With Your Family

If your family enjoyed the first Mario movie, you’ll find this one very similar in terms of action and content. There’s the same level of cartoon-style fighting, but no sexual humor or language concerns, making it a very safe and family-friendly choice.

That said, parents of younger viewers may want to take note of a couple of intense moments. A Tyrannosaurus rex chase sequence could be a bit frightening, and one scene involving a character falling into lava and returning as a ‘Dry Bones’ version of himself might be unsettling for very young children. Overall, though, the movie keeps things light, fun, and appropriate for most families.

What I Thought

The first movie kept things simple, and that worked to its advantage. It focused on a small group of characters, with a clear theme of Mario and Luigi proving themselves. The straightforward story helped keep everything tight and focused. It may not have been award-winning storytelling, but it was fun, effective, and felt exactly like playing a classic Mario Bros. game.

The sequel, while still a colorful blast, doesn’t feel quite as focused. It juggles multiple storylines and character arcs, and at times it shows. Certain plot points feel a bit forced, almost like they exist just to split characters into different groups or move them from one location to another. The single, clear theme of the first film is replaced with several: a budding love story, a “becoming a better father” arc, a redemption journey, an identity struggle, and even a longing to return home. There’s a lot happening all at once—and yes, Yoshi joins the adventure too, in a way that even the movie humorously acknowledges as a bit random.

Now, you might think that means I didn’t enjoy it, but that’s not the case at all. I had a great time and would gladly watch it again. The story may be a bit chaotic, but the movie is a feast for the senses. The animation is gorgeous, the worlds are vibrant, and the music feels like a loving reimagining of classic Nintendo themes (and many are!). Add in a ton of fun Easter eggs, and there’s plenty here for longtime fans to appreciate.

It may not be as tight or streamlined as the first film, but it still captures the spirit of a Mario game—and that counts for a lot. Kids and Nintendo fans will have a blast. If you’re not already a fan of the franchise, though, this one probably won’t win you over, and honestly, it wasn’t really trying to.