Get ready Nintendo fans, as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will hit screens in just one day, and by the reaction from early screenings, it sounds as though the animated sequel is even better than the 2023 original.
We are still waiting on official reviews to drop, but the first set of reactions to the upcoming animated sequel are already starting to pour in, and they're overwhelmingly positive. Andy Robinson from VGC called it a "100-minute sugar rush, with fan service galore, that starts at 90mph and barely stops for breath."
Youtuber Cris Parker, known as 3CFilms, also pointed out how much material has been stuffed in for fans, adding, "visually gorgeous animation with TONS of eye candy for Nintendo fans." However, even if you're not a die-hard Mario fan, Global Box Office says "you can enjoy the colorful characters, breathtaking animation, great score, and 3D visuals that make this an entertaining ride for anyone open to its playful spirit."
Many viewers are praising the film's stacked cast, as NYFilm Critics' Christopher Gallardo writes, "Jack Black's Bowser and Donald Glover's Yoshi are absolutely hilarious. Coming Soon Net's Jonathan Sim concludes nicely, calling the film "a gorgeously animated love letter to Mario fans. A very entertaining ride."
However, not everyone is a fan, as many have said that the sequel suffers from the same issues as its predecessor. Andrew J. Salazar from DiscussingFilm said, "For a movie purely designed to jingle keys in front of an audience… It’s somehow pretty bad at that, too. Why are we unnecessarily changing Mario lore?"
Based on the beloved Nintendo franchise, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie follows our favorite brothers Mario and Luigi as they join Princess Peach and Toad on an adventure across the galaxy to help their new friend Rosalina defend the cosmos against Bowser and his son, Bowser Jr.
The sequel welcomes back Chris Pratt as Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Jack Black as Bowser, and Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, and adds Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr., Donald Glover as Yoshi, and Brie Larson as Princess Rosalina.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie arrives in theaters on April 1. For more, check out our list of the best video game movies, and keep up with upcoming video game movies on the way in 2026 and beyond.
