10 Moments We Absolutely Loved In The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (We Can’t Stop Talking About #1)

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Despite receiving some criticism, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is proving to be a big success at the box office. In less than two weeks, it’s already earned over $400 million worldwide, and that success is deserved – the new Mario and Luigi adventure offers a lot to enjoy.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is packed with Easter eggs – hidden references and nods – to many different Super Mario games, from classic titles to recent releases. The filmmakers did a fantastic job weaving in familiar elements from games like Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, Super Mario Bros. 3, and Super Mario Wonder.

What really stood out was how the game wove elements from classic Mario titles – like Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Bros. 2 – directly into the story, instead of just hiding them as quick Easter eggs. It also cleverly included nods to characters and series from other Nintendo games, such as R.O.B. and Little Mac.

Beyond its beautiful visuals and familiar characters, The Super Mario Galaxy is genuinely charming. With beloved characters like Yoshi, Fox McCloud, Bowser, Luigi, and Bowser Jr., The Super Mario Galaxy Movie delivers a thoroughly enjoyable ninety minutes.

10. Ukkiki Steals Toad’s Backpack, And It’s Super Mario 64 All Over Again

Princess Peach and Toad’s adventure starts with a quick chase when a little monkey named Ukkiki snatches Toad’s backpack. Players who remember Super Mario 64 will recognize this situation – Mario also had to chase Ukkiki after the monkey stole his hat, so Toad’s annoyance feels familiar!

As a long-time Mario fan, I have to say Ukkiki totally lives up to the hype in the movie! Everyone knows he’s one of the most frustrating enemies in the games, and they nailed that – he’s constantly snatching things and making you run after him. It’s exactly how I remember him, and honestly, it’s kind of perfect!

9. Bowser Jr. & Bowser Get Their Own Super Mario Maker Level

As a huge Mario fan, I absolutely loved how they worked Super Mario Maker into the movie! It was such a clever touch to see Bowser and Bowser Jr. messing with the levels – building obstacles for Mario and Peach, all while it looked like they were filming it through an old-school 2D Mario game camera. It was genuinely funny and a really creative way to connect the movie to the game where you can make your own levels.

8. Bowser Makes A Noble Sacrifice

At the beginning of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, it seems like Bowser is just pretending to be different, trying to trick Mario and Luigi. This is initially played for comedic effect, but then Bowser proves he’s genuinely changed. This transformation reaches a powerful point when he willingly stays imprisoned by the Honey Queen.

I knew it wouldn’t last, honestly. Bowser’s always been Mario’s biggest enemy, so it felt inevitable he’d go back to being a villain. But it was really enjoyable watching him try to be good, and Jack Black totally made that possible! I’m really hoping the next movie lets Bowser team up with Mario again, even if it’s just for a little while.

7. Luigi Summons Mr. Game & Watch

While most of the connections to Super Smash Bros. in The Super Mario Bros. Movie were already known, one surprise was kept hidden. During the climactic battle, Luigi obtains the Magic Paintbrush, leading to a cameo appearance by the character Mr. Game & Watch.

Mr. Game & Watch is the iconic stick figure who represented Nintendo’s original Game & Watch handheld systems, first released in 1980. He reappeared in 2001 as a playable character in the Super Smash Bros. series and has been a consistent part of those games ever since, famously keeping his simple, stick-figure look from the early days of video games.

It wasn’t surprising to see him appear as if drawn by the Magic Paintbrush, and actually, it fits his character perfectly. What makes his appearance even more enjoyable is that he briefly overpowers Bowser, just like in the Super Smash Bros. games where he can be a surprisingly powerful opponent.

6. Mario, Luigi & Yoshi Take Over Princess Peach’s Job

With Peach and Toad gone to search for Rosalina, Mario and Luigi realize they need to protect the Mushroom Kingdom. This leads to a fast-paced sequence showing the trio – Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi – traveling through levels reminiscent of classic Super Mario games, facing familiar enemies and challenges along the way.

While not crucial to the plot, this moment solidifies Yoshi’s place within the team and allows the movie to include a charming collection of nostalgic touches, all wrapped up in a fun scene.

5. Princess Peach & Toad Fight The Bosses Of Super Mario Bros. 2

The casino scene was filled with fun references, mainly to the classic game Super Mario Bros. 2. It featured Princess Peach and Toad encountering Wart, a villain Mario fans haven’t seen in a game for nearly forty years.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie really delivers on bringing back Wart, a classic villain from Super Mario Bros. 2. The movie accurately portrays his bubble-blowing attacks and includes his key minions – Birdo, Mouser, and Clawgrip. It even replicates his defeat from the game, with him being comically defeated by a thrown turnip.

4. Yoshi Gets A Perfect Yoshi’s Island Tribute

While many consider Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island a standout game in the Super Mario series, it always seemed an unlikely choice for a movie. The story of Yoshi protecting Baby Mario doesn’t quite align with the overall Mario timeline or style. However, the new movie surprisingly gave this beloved game some welcome attention.

In Yoshi’s Island, Yoshi is the star of the show! This happens because Bowser Jr. magically turns all the other characters into babies. It’s a really unique experience to see Yoshi step up as the hero, even if it’s just for a short time.

3. Mario, Luigi, & Yoshi Enjoy Power-Ups Gallore In The Final Battle

The climax of The Super Mario Bros. Movie delivers a thrilling showdown, with Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi facing off against Bowser in an epic battle. The fight is made even more exciting by the inclusion of various power-ups – including some surprising and rare ones – for each character. Blimp Yoshi provides some much-needed comic relief, while Mario, powered up with a Red Star, delivers the final blow.

2. Fox McCloud Introduces Himself To The Gang

Though not a typical Super Mario character, Glenn Powell’s portrayal of Fox McCloud really stood out in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. It started with his first encounter with Peach and Toad, where he immediately came across as incredibly cool – especially to Toad.

Next, the show switches to a different animation style to tell Fox’s story and introduce his team from the Star Fox games. As a fun bonus, Fox jokingly blames Slippy Toad—because he’s a frog—for a past crash.

The surprise of Fox McCloud’s first appearance in the movie was ruined by early marketing materials released just before it came out. It had the potential to be one of the film’s biggest surprises, but unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

1. Yoshi Goes Sightseeing In Brooklyn

As far as character introductions go, it’s hard to beat Fox McCloud or, frankly, Yoshi. Like how Guardians of the Galaxy made the most of Groot’s limited vocabulary, this Super Mario Galaxy Movie smartly avoids letting Yoshi’s few lines hold him back. Instead, it focuses on his undeniable cuteness and charm, and honestly, it works. He’s instantly lovable, and a real highlight of the film.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie includes a really impressive flashback scene featuring Yoshi. When Mario and Luigi ask how Yoshi ended up in the Sand Kingdom, he remembers happily wandering the streets of Brooklyn, using his long tongue to grab snacks and playfully causing trouble with the police.

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2026-04-11 19:31