The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)



The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)

“Good night princess.”

“Mario, we found where Rosalina is.”

“This is what happens when you don't have a bed time.”
-The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)

No preamble here, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a light in a dark night from end to end. I shouldn't be surprised, though it is striking, how aware this film is of its capacity for cultural impact. I know how strong that statement may seem, but its use here is not to exaggerate. Instead, I hope it illustrates how comfortable this film is with its simplicity. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie delights in its characters, and its focus on family, with their importance in our growth and understanding of who we are, and who we have the capacity to be.
Mario and Peach's adventure through the outer worlds of The Mushroom Kingdom, in search of princess Rosalina, has a vibrancy that supersedes its already legendary Nintendo artistic pedigree. It took me until now to realize that Nintendo's striving for autistic excellence, serves a narrative purpose. Yes, it aims us towards nostalgia, a remembrance of time gone by, of family gatherings around the inviting glow of a TV. Gazing into interactive worlds replete with chivalric plumbers and love spurned dragon esque turtles. Though, this nostalgia is more than just a remembrance. It points to a particular truth, the importance of family.
Family is the modus operandi of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The film wields this thematic pivot point with grace and charm. Intentional or not, it seems that is how you use nostalgia, not as a narrative savior, a painting over of perceived faults, but as a narrative propeller of character motivation and thematic residences. In short, nostalgia has never been a cheap trick, but a meaningful narrative tool in the cadre of storytelling techniques. Directors Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelnic and Pierre Leduc, along with their team, wonderfully open another warp pipe to The Mushroom Kingdom. Allowing us to discover, or better yet, rediscover the Galaxy spanning power, and love of family.

Rated PG for action, mild violence and rude humor

I found The Super Mario Galaxy Movie to be visually enthralling, vibrantly entertaining and deeply meaningful. I hope in some way you do too.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is currently in theaters.


Theatrical trailer

If you wish to explore over 150 film reviews and essays, my blog archive can be found at this link: Hour 21

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