Early reactions to The Super Mario Galaxy Movie have surfaced ahead of its theatrical release. They praise its style and visuals, even noting that the movie matches, if not surpasses, the quality of the previous one. The sequel to 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, it recently premiered in Kyoto, Japan, and will be released in the United States on April 1, 2026.
Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, and Keegan-Michael Key reprise their roles from the original. New cast members include Benny Safdie, Donald Glover, and Brie Larson.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s first reactions are in
Reviews for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie claim that those who liked the first one will enjoy it.
Andy Robinson of VGC News lauded the film in his brief review on X (formerly Twitter). He compared it to its predecessor, saying it was like it but “powered by a superstar.” He added, “A 100 minute sugar rush, with fan service galore, that starts at 90mph and barely stops for breath.”
Robinson, who promised a full review tomorrow, further stated that although it suffered from the same issues that troubled the first movie, fans would be “delighted” nonetheless.
Meanwhile, content creator Matt Ramos (Supes) said he could “almost guarantee” that fans of the first would enjoy this one. He added that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie takes what worked well in the previous film and makes it “great.”
Ramos showered further praise, saying, “This honestly might be Illumination’s most beautiful looking movie.” He continued, “Every frame is a piece of art. The color, the worlds, and the scale of this film are just on another level.”
He also said the action sequences were “bigger” than the original, highlighting the sequel’s galaxy-spanning narrative. Ramos then said that the film’s best element was how it balanced all the characters — including returning ones like Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach, and newcomers like Bowser Jr., Yoshi, and Princess Rosalina.
The YouTuber subsequently highlighted Fox McCloud’s and Bowser Jr.’s portrayals. He briefly touched upon the former, calling him “amazing,” and promised another video elaborating on the character’s depiction. Meanwhile, he said the latter made him laugh with each of his dialogues. He also praised Bowser Jr.’s dynamic with Bowser, labeling it “amazing” and “hilarious.”
Ramos commended the film for using the soundtracks from The Super Mario Galaxy games. He further stated that if the previous one was the “intro” to the Mario film series, this one “[blew] it wide open.”
