Genre: Family/Adventure
Directed by: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Pierre Leduc, Fabien Polack
Starring: Jack Black, Glen Powell, Anya Taylor-Joy
Release Date: April 1, 2026
Platform: Theaterical
Star Rating: 4/5
By Karl Simpson Jr.
“It’s funnier, more exciting, and more confident in what it’s doing.”
THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE feels like a sequel that really understands what worked the first time and builds on it, in all the right ways. It’s bigger, faster, and just more confident across the board. From the opening moments, there’s a steady energy that carries through the whole film, but it never feels rushed or overwhelming. It knows exactly what it wants to be. It leans into the fun, while still trying to give things a little more weight underneath it all.
Visually, the upgrade is incredibly striking right away. The animation style remains consistent, but everything appears crisper and more intricately detailed. The world feels richer, especially with the transition to a more cosmic setting. There’s an intensified sense of scale this time, making everything feel more dynamic and immersive. It’s not just vibrant and colorful. It genuinely pulls you into the environment.
The humor lands more consistently too. The jokes come more often, and they’re better timed. There’s a smoother rhythm to it, which helps the movie flow naturally from scene to scene. Instead of relying on a handful of standout moments, it keeps things entertaining throughout.
There’s plenty of action as well, but it never feels like filler. The sequences are clear, exciting, and easy to follow. More importantly, they’re just fun to watch. There’s always a sense that each moment is building towards something, which keeps you engaged without wearing you down.
Peach really stands out here. The film gives her more to do and actually lets her take control in key moments. She feels important to the story in a way that really works. Rosalina also leaves a strong impression, even with limited screen time. She adds a different kind of presence, giving the film a little more texture. On the villain side, Bowser Jr. brings a sharper, more focused energy. He feels driven and purposeful, though it does make you wish the film spent a bit more time with him.
The way the movie pulls from the games is handled well. The music hits when it should, and the references feel natural instead of forced. Nothing feels like it’s there just to check a box for fans. It all fits into the world and adds to the experience rather than distracting from it.
If there’s one area that still feels a bit underdeveloped, it’s Mario and Luigi’s relationship. Luigi has more to do this time, which is a step in the right direction, but their bond still feels like it could’ve been explored more. A few extra emotional moments between them would’ve helped ground the story further. It’s not a major issue, but it’s something you notice.
What stands out is that the sequel is clearly aiming for something a little deeper. Beneath all the action and humor, there’s more focus on identity, belonging, and family. It looks at how relationships shape people and how they can bring you closer or push you off course. That added layer gives the film more weight without slowing it down. And with the larger, more cosmic setting, everything feels bigger while still keeping things personal.
Overall, THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE feels like a clear step forward. It’s funnier, more exciting, and more confident in what it’s doing. It doesn’t reinvent the formula, but it sharpens it in a way that works. There are still a few areas that could’ve gone deeper, especially with the characters, but it delivers where it counts. It’s a fun, energetic ride with just enough heart to keep it from feeling empty.
