The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) is a vibrant animated adventure that brings Nintendo’s iconic characters to life in a new cinematic experience. Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, the film was released on April 5, 2023, and has since become a significant success both critically and commercially.Rotten Tomatoes+1Rotten Tomatoes+1
🎬 Overview
- Title: The Super Mario Bros. Movie
- Release Date: April 5, 2023
- Directors: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic
- Screenwriter: Matthew Fogel
- Producers: Shigeru Miyamoto, Chris Meledandri
- Production Companies: Nintendo, Illumination Entertainment, Universal Pictures
- Runtime: 1 hour 32 minutes
- Rating: PG (for action and mild violence)
- Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Animation, Familynews+7Rotten Tomatoes+7Rotten Tomatoes+7
🧑🎤 Voice Cast
- Chris Pratt as Mario
- Charlie Day as Luigi
- Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach
- Jack Black as Bowser
- Keegan-Michael Key as Toad
- Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong
- Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong
- Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek
- Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike
- Charles Martinet as Mario’s father and Giuseppe
📖 Plot Summary
In Brooklyn, Italian-American brothers Mario and Luigi struggle to establish their plumbing business. After attempting to fix a major water main leak, they are transported via a Warp Pipe to a magical realm. Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom, ruled by Princess Peach, while Luigi ends up in the Dark Lands, ruled by the villainous Bowser. Bowser seeks to marry Peach and threatens to destroy the Mushroom Kingdom if she refuses.Wikipedia
To stop Bowser and rescue Luigi, Mario teams up with Peach, Toad, and Donkey Kong. Their journey includes training sequences, kart races on Rainbow Road, and battles against Bowser’s minions. The climax unfolds in Brooklyn, where Mario and Luigi use a Super Star to defeat Bowser, who is then shrunk and imprisoned. The brothers are celebrated as heroes and decide to continue their plumbing business in the Mushroom Kingdom.Wikipedia+2IMDb+2IMDb+2Medium
💰 Box Office Performance
The Super Mario Bros. Movie achieved remarkable box office success:
- Domestic Gross (U.S. and Canada): $574.9 million
- International Gross: $785.9 million
- Worldwide Total: $1.36 billionnews+4Wikipedia+4Axios+4
It became the highest-grossing video game adaptation and the top animated film of 2023, setting records in multiple markets. In Mexico, it surpassed Spider-Man: No Way Home to become the highest-grossing film of all time.Wikipedia+1news+1
🧾 Critical Reception
- Rotten Tomatoes: 59% (Critics), 95% (Audience)
- Metacritic: Varied reviews, with praise for animation and voice performances
Critics appreciated the film’s visual appeal and nostalgic elements, while some noted a straightforward plot. Audiences, particularly fans of the video game franchise, responded positively to the film’s faithful adaptation and entertainment value.
🌟 Legacy and Sequel
The film’s success has led to the announcement of a sequel, scheduled for release on April 3, 2026. Its performance has also contributed to a renewed interest in video game adaptations in cinema.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie stands as a testament to the enduring popularity of its source material, delivering a family-friendly adventure that resonates with both longtime fans and new audiences.
