August 8th: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Released: 2026
Directed by: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic
Starring: Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, Donald Glover, Keegan-Michael Key, Jack Black, Benny Safdie, Glen Powell, Brie Larson
The Mario Brothers are back. They are doing everything to keep the Mushroom Kingdom safe. They are fighting Hammer Brothers. They are taking on Big Bertha the giant Cheep Cheep. They are getting an ice cream for a young Toad. Ok, so not all of them are dangerous — the Hammer Brothers are taken out easily. With Bowser shrunk and imprisoned, while also getting therapy, the Mushroom Kingdom is in a much, much better place. Nothing can go wrong, right?
There are three new characters introduced in this movie: Bowser Jr., Yoshi, and Rosalina. Bowser Jr.’s entire mission is to rescue his father and live up to the evil schemes of his powerful papa. He has a magical paintbrush that gives him dangerous and magical powers. Yoshi is a charismatic little dinosaur with a very limited vocabulary. The Mario Brothers find him and immediately befriend him. He fits in with them so well. It is nice not having a whole “Can we trust him?” plot. Rosalina is a magical space princess who mothers all the little Lumas, the anthropomorphic stars. She has some mysterious connection to Peach, but before we find out more, she is captured by Bowser Jr. All three characters fit in well with the others, both in terms of their histories and how their personalities mesh.
Get Nathan Boegel’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
The voice acting is good to great, with one glaring hole: Chris Pratt. He wasn’t right for the first film, and he continues not to be right for this film. He’s not terrible; he just isn’t right. Every other voice actor is great. Donald Glover only has to say one word as Yoshi, and he’s awesome. Jack Black is Jack Black. Charlie Day and Anya Taylor-Joy are doing their thing. Pratt just seems out of place.
Small Observations:
- The Lumas are really adorable. I wish they gave more time to them and to Rosalina. Of the three new characters, she is the one with the least amount of time. Perhaps with the character they tease in the post credits scene, she can take on a larger role in the third film.
- It is good to see Wart, Mouser, and Birdo, classic Mario characters. But Star Fox was a surprise! I know that Miyamoto said they are not building to a Super Smash Bros. movie, but it is fun to contemplate.
- I wish they referenced Bowser’s other kids, the Koopalings. And yes, I know Miyamoto demoted them from children to generals or whatever, but they had the perfect opportunity to introduce them in one of the scenes toward the end.
- MCU actors: 3
Overall Rank: A
I think it fits right with the previous movie, which I enjoyed. Great characters with a fun adventure. If I was a kid, I would have loved this movie. Recommended.
