‘Super Mario Galaxy’ Movie Rotten Tomatoes Score Just Dropped… and Critics Are Not Happy
The The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has opened to a rough start with critics. The film currently holds a 44% score on Rotten Tomatoes, which is lower than the rating of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Early reactions suggest that many reviewers see it as a step down from the first movie.
The new film continues Nintendo’s push into animation. It is based on the Super Mario Galaxy series and expands the story into space. The movie was made by Illumination and Nintendo, and released by Universal Pictures. Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic returned, with Matthew Fogel writing the script.
The voice cast includes returning actors like Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, and Keegan-Michael Key. New cast members include Donald Glover, Brie Larson, and others. The story follows Mario, Luigi, and their team as they travel through space to rescue Princess Rosalina from Bowser Jr.
The sequel was not a surprise. After the success of the first film, Shuntaro Furukawa had already said that more animated projects could happen if the franchise performed well. Development on a new Mario movie was confirmed in 2024 after strong box office results.
The film premiered in Kyoto on March 28, before its U.S. release on April 1. But despite the hype, critics say the final result does not live up to expectations.
Many reviews point to the same issue. The movie looks bigger, but feels less focused. Peter Gray said, “Falls into a classic sequel trap: bigger, busier, and far less focused.”
Doug Jamieson also criticized the film’s direction, writing, “Bigger does not necessarily mean better… it rarely finds anything of substance once it gets there.”
Some critics did praise the visuals. Cain Noble-Davies described it as “a beautiful letdown” and said it improves in spectacle but not in writing.
Others were more direct about their disappointment. Avi Offer wrote, “It would be more entertaining to watch your money flush down the toilet than to watch this unimaginative, vapid and soulless cash grab.”
Another common complaint is that the movie tries to include too much. David Poland explained it this way: “Too much action, not enough story or character.”
Even some of the more positive reviews admit the story is weak. Julian Roman said it is mostly fan service with “an admittedly flimsy plot,” even though the visuals are strong.
Other reactions describe the movie as empty and overloaded with references. One review called it “all side quest, no substance,” while another suggested that adult viewers may lose interest quickly.
Overall, the early response shows a clear pattern. Critics agree that the film looks impressive and delivers action, but many feel it lacks a strong story and clear direction. For a sequel that aimed to go bigger, many believe it lost what made the first movie work.
This feels like a common problem with big sequels. Studios try to make everything larger, but forget about the basics like story and characters. That said, audiences might still enjoy it, especially fans of the games. What do you think about the reviews? Do you agree with critics, or will you still watch it? Share your thoughts in the comments.
