‘Super Mario’ Sequel Gets Official Title

The announcement has been made: The upcoming film following the massive success of “Super Mario Bros. Movie” is named “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.” From now on, let’s get used to leaving out the “Bros” part.

Nintendo and Universal have confirmed that the original voice cast from the previous movie will be reprising their roles: Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, and Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek. (Oh no! No news yet about Seth Rogen returning as Donkey Kong? I’m disappointed.)

During the announcement of the news, they simultaneously revealed an initial sneak peek for the film. This preview blends the 3D animated style from the first movie with subtle references reminiscent of the “Super Mario Galaxy” game, initially launched on Wii in 2007.

The first animated feature, titled “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” is an adaptation of the enduring Nintendo video game series. Unlike the live-action “Mario” movie from 1993, this film stays true to the original concept. It follows two plumbers from New York City who are transported via pipe to the Mushroom Kingdom. There, they engage in battles with Bowser, rescue a princess, and enjoy significant box office success, raking in more than $1.3 billion globally. Following its success, plans for a sequel were swiftly set into motion.

Meanwhile, both Nintendo and Sony started developing a live-action version of “The Legend of Zelda” movie. This movie is set to hit theaters in May of 2027.

In other words, as hinted by its name, the game titled “Super Mario Galaxy” is essentially a space-themed adaptation of the classic “Super Mario Bros.” series. Here, Mario embarks on an adventure across numerous planets and asteroids, encountering Bowser and his minions in the process, all while aiming to rescue Princess Peach once more.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will be released worldwide on April 3, 2026.

The Best Summer Movies of 2025

10. Kpop Demon Hunters

One of the most ingeniously wicked ideas in a long time: A K-pop girl group secretly work as a team of demon slayers, confronting their toughest challenge yet – a boy band of demons. With vibrant animation and unexpectedly catchy tunes, “Kpop Demon Hunters” is pure pop enjoyment. My girls can’t get enough of it, always asking how they can become K-pop artists who fight demons. I completely understand their enthusiasm; after watching this movie, so do I – when I grow up, I want to do that too!

9. The Fantastic Four: First Steps

The latest Marvel’s Fantastic Four film, titled “First Steps”, clearly surpasses the four prior attempts by Roger Corman and 20th Century Fox to establish a successful big-screen FF franchise. Given that the earlier movies ranged from ordinary to abysmal, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. The film excels with its stunning visuals and an intriguing villain (the formidable and menacing Galactus, who craves Earth as a hungry god feels after a long while, seeking satisfaction in consuming a grand meal). Although the Fantastic Four members themselves might not be particularly impressive, their film still serves as a promising debut for Marvel’s First Family within the MCU.

8. Elio

In my opinion, as a follower, I recently encountered an enchanting tale from Pixar that revolves around me, a boy named Yonas Kibreab who was once an orphan. This extraordinary story unfolds with me finding my place among an alliance of extraterrestrials, where I am mistakenly perceived as Earth’s representative and propelled into high-stakes negotiations with the galaxy’s most intimidating conqueror, portrayed by Brad Garrett.

Much like many other Pixar films, this production seems to resonate more with parents than its intended audience of young children, due to its profound themes about parenthood and the significance of allowing children to uncover their true, authentic selves. Nonetheless, Glordon, my lovable alien companion voiced by Remy Edgerly, stands out as the most remarkable and adorable sidekick this summer.

7. Ballerina

In essence, the first spin-off movie of ‘John Wick’, titled ‘Ballerina’, surpassed my expectations significantly. Initially, with years of development, post-production delays, and whispers of extensive reshoots, I wasn’t optimistic. The film’s initial half seemed to align with the somber, slow-paced thriller I anticipated.

However, around the halfway mark, something remarkable happens – it’s as if a switch is flipped. From that point forward, ‘Ballerina’ turns into an exhilarating, entertaining two-hour ride, boasting at least three action sequences as gripping, witty, and darkly humorous as any in the four previous John Wick movies. What sets ‘Ballerina’ apart is its authenticity as a spinoff, delving into a new aspect of the John Wick universe and even featuring Keanu Reeves in a key cameo role.

6. F1

When someone describes a film as “old-fashioned,” they usually aren’t giving it a positive review. A movie being “old-fashioned” implies that it’s outdated, disconnected from current trends, and perhaps even a bit slow-paced. However, Joseph Kosinski’s F1 is an exception to this rule, embodying the best aspects of traditional blockbusters from the 80s and 90s. These films were characterized by grand production values, aesthetic spectacle, and charming actors (in this case, Brad Pitt, Kerry Condon, and Javier Bardem), rather than being tied to specific intellectual properties. Despite its minor flaws, F1 certainly isn’t lacking in pace. While the narrative may follow a familiar pattern, isn’t it appropriate for a film about Formula One racing to have a touch of formula?

5. Highest 2 Lowest

In a reunion after more than a decade, filmmakers Spike Lee and Denzel Washington explore the looming specter of mortality in the film “Highest Hands Lowest.” This movie is a modern adaptation of Akira Kurosawa’s classic moral thriller, “High and Low.”

In this new version, a successful record label executive (Denzel Washington) finds himself faced with a difficult decision: whether to pay an excessive ransom for his employee’s kidnapped son, who was mistakenly taken by a sly criminal (A$AP Rocky), or risk his financial stability.

The movie also boasts one of the most thrilling subway chase scenes since “The French Connection,” and features intense dialogue exchanges between Washington and Rocky. With its nostalgic feel, “Highest Hands Lowest” showcases two of contemporary American cinema’s remaining titans at their best.

4. 28 Years Later

In a return to their horror origins, directors Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland revisit their work from over two decades ago with “28 Years Later,” which follows up on their groundbreaking film “28 Days Later.” However, this is not just a mindless sequel. It’s filled with gore, violence, and some cool low-fi Bullet Time iPhone sequences during the zombie kills, but it’s also deeply thoughtful, sometimes even contemplative. By the end, it becomes disheartening with an ending that appears intentionally designed to upset viewers. This isn’t due to a desire for future sequels; rather, it reflects the frustrating nature of life itself.

3. Weapons

If Zach Cregger ever invites you into a dimly lit basement, it’s best to leave swiftly. This man has a penchant for eerie, dungeon-like environments, and in his latest film, “Weapons,” he creates an unsettling one hidden beneath the seemingly peaceful suburban Pennsylvania landscape. When 17 students from the same elementary school class mysteriously disappear, it sets off a chain of events involving their teacher (Julia Garner), one of the missing child’s parents (Josh Brolin), a troubled cop (Alden Ehrenreich), and others. The story unfolds through chapters centered around these characters, blending elements of deep unease with cathartic humor. In essence, “Weapons” is like a darkly comic horror movie that combines the thrill of “Pulp Fiction” but with a twist we never anticipated.

2. Superman

Many people might find it blasphemous to compare a DC movie to Richard Donner’s Superman, but James Gunn’s version stands out for having a more compelling Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult portrays him as incredibly self-centered and sensitive) and an exceptional supporting cast including Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific and Krypto, the superpup who steals every scene he’s in.

The film also offers a Superman (David Corenswet delivers a heartfelt performance) that is endearing and inspiring to watch. It’s action-packed, romantic, entertaining, and even manages to slip in some social commentary. If this sets the bar for future DC movies, it’s excellent news because it’s intended to be the first of many in a larger universe.

1. The Naked Gun

I’ve been eagerly waiting for this movie. The 2025 remake of The Naked Gun, titled simply as Naked Gun, offers an uninterrupted stream of humor spanning 85 minutes. It’s filled with visual jokes, witty yet absurd puns, hilarious toilet humor, and satire of pop culture. This new edition of the franchise is one of the best updates made in the 2020s, a fact that explains its success in theaters as viewers are left laughing so hard they need to watch it twice to catch all the jokes.
Liam Neeson portrays Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Leslie Nielsen’s character from the original Naked Gun trilogy. Much like his father, Neeson’s Drebin is a tough and no-nonsense detective, investigating a case involving a ruthless businessman (a lively Danny Huston). As he navigates Los Angeles, Drebin delivers an uproarious inner monologue, commenting on his love interest, played by the energetic Pamela Anderson. He remarks that her physique is so striking it could make any toilet long for the brown. The new Naked Gun, in its spoof comedy style and theatrical humor, demonstrates that the genre still has vitality – a testament to its enduring charm.

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2025-09-12 16:57