Prepare the Launch Star — the “Super Mario Galaxy Movie”, produced by Illumination and Nintendo, catapulted into theaters on April 1, 2026, ready to take audiences on a galactic tour. The movie is the long-awaited sequel to the “Super Mario Bros. Movie”, which was released three years ago on April 5, 2023.
Illumination has an impressive track record and is known for producing humorous family movies, such as the Despicable Me series. The “Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is no exception. It is filled with cameos, references, beautiful animation, and lighthearted jokes that will keep you grinning throughout its one hour and thirty-eight minutes of runtime.
I could highlight specific details of the film, but I want to keep this review spoiler-free. In my opinion, the film was excellent for what it brought to the table, as a fast-paced, thrilling adventure with Mario and his friends through the cosmos.
Disparity: Critics vs. Audience Percentage Reviews
For a while now, movie critics have clashed with the audience over reviews, and this has been particularly true when it comes to film adaptations of video games. This can be seen with both movies in the “Super Mario Bros. Movie” series, as well as “A Minecraft Movie” and “Iron Lung”.
According to RottenTomatoes.com, critics rated the Super Mario Bros. Movie at fifty-nine percent, while audiences rated the movie at ninety-five percent, resulting in a thirty-six percent gap between critics and audiences. On the same website, the Super Mario Galaxy Movie followed a similar pattern with its reviews, with critics rating the movie a forty-three percent, while audiences rated it an eighty-nine percent, resulting in a forty-six percent gap between critics and audiences.
The gaps between critics and audiences suggest a problem. Since percentages alone don’t tell the full story; we must dive into actual reviews from both critics and the audience to see the bigger picture.
A Rift Between Critics and Audiences
After watching the Super Mario Galaxy Movie, I turned to review websites to see what others thought of the film. I clicked onto the webpage expecting positive reviews across the board. However, the commentary that I was seeing told a very different story.
Many critics’ reviews were incredibly harsh, particularly regarding the film’s fast pacing, constant visual spectacle, and the way it prioritizes references over deeper storytelling. To be fair, these elements can be overwhelming as the film rarely slows down, jumping quickly between galaxy-themed worlds, gravity-defying sequences, and whirlwind gags. While critics saw these elements as weaknesses, audiences seemed to embrace them as defining features of the movie’s energy and charm.
For example, James Berardinelli’s (ReelViews) wrote, “I felt like someone had tied me down and forced me to watch 90 minutes of Saturday morning cartoons.” Simon Foster’s (ScreenSpace) described the film as “Most distressing is the film’s ugly aesthetic…the sequel too often has the pallor of a laptop-produced cheapie.” While some critics focused on legitimate issues, they seem to overlook the vibrant visuals, playful animation, and the nods to decades of Nintendo history that made the film enjoyable for many viewers. In fact, these critiques were so far removed from my experience that they really made me question whether I truly watched the same film as the critics.
In contrast, audience reviews highlighted the same elements that critics dismissed. One that caught my eye was written by Chris S (Fandango): “Disagreed with critics enough to sign up for an account. This movie was fun and filled with references that are a perfect fit to spark conversation between parents and kids.” Another reviewer, Damon (Fandango), wrote: “A beautifully animated movie full of clever ways to incorporate 40 years of Nintendo history into a fun story.”
Takeaway and Final Thoughts:
Overall, despite the skepticism from critics, I believe that “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is undeniably impressive. Its fluid animation and whimsical nature make it a visually thrilling ride from start to finish. This film draws inspiration from multiple games, including Super Mario Galaxy (2007), Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010), Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023), Super Mario Odyssey (2017), Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988), and Super Mario Bros. (1985). That may sound like too many games to incorporate into one movie, but Illumination and Nintendo manage to pull it off spectacularly, combining nostalgia with novelty to provide an exciting, memorable experience.
Don’t just take my word, or the word of the audiences or the critics; see the movie for yourself. It is an experience worth sharing with family or friends. Even if you are new to Nintendo, or are just getting into the Mario Bros. franchise, you’ll no doubt laugh, marvel at the animation, and have something to talk about when you leave the theater.
The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sandspur or Rollins College. Have any additional tips or opinions? Send us your response. We want to hear your voice.