The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Story

Princess Rosalina (voiced by Brie Larson), Watcher of the Stars and adoptive mother of the Lumas, reads a bedtime story to her family of star-like Lumas and puts them to bed. Shortly afterwards, she’s attacked by a Megaleg, a large, 3-legged mechanical robot, which is controlled by Bowser Junior (voiced by Benny Safdie) and his accomplice Kamek (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson). After a fierce battle, Rosalina is captured by Bowser Jnr, who wants to use Rosalina’s powers to destroy the universe and impress his father.

Yellow Luma (voiced by Virginia Dare Jelenic) seeks out Princess Peach (voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy) to help rescue Rosalina. Yellow Luma sets off into space with her loyal mushroom-like helper, Toad (voiced by Keegan-Michael Key). Together, they face numerous battles and setbacks on their quest to save Rosalina. They also discover that Rosalina and Peach are sisters.

Meanwhile, back at Peach’s Castle, Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt), Luigi (voiced by Charlie Day) and their new, dinosaur-like friend, Yoshi (voiced by Donald Glover), are in charge of protecting the Mushroom Kingdom and rehabilitating Bowser (voiced by Jack Black), who has been shrunk to miniature size. But Bowser Jnr arrives and lifts the whole castle out of the ground, capturing the inhabitants.

Many twists and turns follow, and eventually Bowser Jnr is reunited with his long-lost (and now full-size) father. After many battles, the strength of family bonds shines through in the end.

Themes

Fantasy; family separation; impending threat; good versus evil; revenge

Violence

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has a lot of peril and cartoon action violence. For example:

There are many battles, which feature robots, monsters and other characters from the Super Mario universe. Various weapons are used, including swords, clubs, axes, spears and wands. There’s no blood or injuries shown in detail.
There’s a battle with the Megaleg. It shoots bombs towards Rosalina’s home, aiming at the Lumas.
Bowser Jnr uses the Megaleg to grab Rosalina. He also knocks a Luma to the ground.
People and police chase Yoshi.
Princess Rosalina and her Luma friend are held captive in a cage on a spaceship. Bowser Jnr says that where they’re going is the last place Rosalina will ever see. The Luma is visibly scared.
Bowser Jnr has a large magic paintbrush. He paints with purple goo, and the painting turns into a giant snapping piranha plant. He uses the plant to capture Rosalina after she breaks out of her cage.
Mini Bowser attacks Mario.
The monkey Ukiki throws a book at Toad.
Peach fights many of Wart’s (voiced by Luis Guzmán) henchmen and is then attacked by a hoard of Ninjis – little ninja-like creatures. She hits them away with her umbrella.
In space, 2 spaceships battle each other.
Bowser Jnr shoots Mario and Luigi with a ray gun that turns them into babies. He then shoots down the ship that’s carrying Peach, Toad, Yoshi and pilot Fox McCloud (voiced by Glen Powell).
Bowser Jnr is intent on world domination.
Princess Rosalina is trapped in a glass, orb-like cage, where her power is being sucked out of her.
Mario and Princess Peach run through a gauntlet of booby traps, which are controlled by Bowser Jnr on a game-like console. They make it through by using Peach’s umbrella.
Mario battles Bowser and Bowser Jnr. Luigi and Yoshi join him, and they power up with different abilities.
After the credits, Ukiki is shown stealing another bag but is punched by new character, Princess Daisy.

Sexual references

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has some sexual references. For example:

Luigi asks Mario whether he has feelings for Princess Peach. Yoshi makes kisses, and he and Luigi tease Mario about Peach, singing ‘That’s amore’.
After Bowser becomes big again, he kisses Mario.
Princess Peach kisses Mario on the cheek.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie shows some use of substances. For example:

In a casino, characters consume drinks that look like alcohol.
Peach eats a super mushroom and grows big.

Nudity and sexual activity

There’s no nudity or sexual activity in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

Product placement

The following products are displayed or used in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie:

The whole movie is based on the Super Mario Brothers games from Nintendo, so it’s a promotion of the franchise’s games and merchandise.
A character wears Mario pyjamas and has a Mario doll.

Coarse language

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has some coarse language, insults and name-calling, including ‘lame’, ‘pathetic failure’, ‘slimeball’, ‘dorks’, ‘Shut up’ and ‘Hello maggots’.

Ideas to discuss with your children

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a fast-paced, battle-filled animation that follows on from 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Although it’s a sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie can be enjoyed even if you haven’t watched the previous movie or played any of the Mario games. It is, however, likely to appeal most to fans of the Super Mario franchise, who will enjoy the numerous references to classic Nintendo games, as well as some cameos and character debuts. Overall, the movie is best suited to families with children aged over 8 and franchise fans.

The main messages from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie are that friends and family are stronger when they’re together and that by helping others, we ultimately help ourselves.

Values in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie that you could reinforce with your children include friendship, teamwork, courage, bravery and family.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues like the following:

Bowser Jnr is so desperate for his father’s approval that he builds an entire planet based on a bedtime story that his father used to tell him. What does this say about their connection?
Many characters work together to overcome challenges. Think of examples where teamwork helped you to overcome some challenges.