Now that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has officially made millions in theaters, viewers and Thunderbird students no longer wonder about its success but rather whether it will live up to the hype.
The first film succeeded by leaning into nostalgia, fast-paced humor, and vibrant animation. Now the sequel faces a different challenge: growth. Fans aren’t just expecting more of the same; they’re expecting a deeper story, expanded characters, and a world that feels more than alive. “Yoshi, as well as other characters, were definitely the highlight of the film for me. I was so excited to see more within the Mario world,” said Katelyn Sherman, sophomore.
Despite its success, earning hundreds of millions globally and becoming one of 2026’s biggest films according to BoxOfficeMojo, the sequel hasn’t escaped criticism. Some viewers feel the story is overcrowded with characters and references, making it less cohesive than the original. “I loved seeing Fox; I mean, he felt a little out of place, but he was so cool to see,” said Alexander Fernandez, junior.
Still, audience members largely agree it’s an entertaining and ambitious follow-up. “Overall, I enjoyed the movie. I think some of the story struggled, but the animation made up for it; the casino planet was so cool,” said Josephat Martinez Ramirez, junior.
Visually, the sequel pushes beyond the original. The different planets, galaxies, and environments feel distinct while still honoring the design of the games. Action sequences, especially those involving space travel, show a clear improvement in animation quality and scale. The film doesn’t just look better; it feels bigger. The planets visited within the movie have unique designs while still being callbacks to prior games.
The voice cast also delivers strong performances. Returning actors like Chris Pratt (Mario), Anya Taylor-Joy (Peach), and Charlie Day (Luigi) maintain their roles while newcomers like Donald Glover (Yoshi) and Brie Larson (Rosalina) bring fresh energy to the film. Even with limited dialogue, characters like Yoshi show surprising emotional range. There is a scene in which Mario is injured; during this, the inflection of Yoshi’s voice changes, hinting at his fear and anxiety for his friend when he repeats his only word, “Yoshi.”
This film simply proves again how video game adaptations can succeed. Nintendo introduced many characters in this film; some from other series. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will open the door for many more film projects as video game films take center stage.
