The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

What makes The Super Mario Bros. Movie special is how effortlessly it turns decades of pixel-perfect nostalgia into a bright, buoyant animated adventure that feels like you’re playing a classic game—only with popcorn in hand. The animation pops with color and detail, and the filmmakers clearly adore the Mushroom Kingdom, packing the screen with affectionate nods that reward longtime fans without leaving newcomers behind. Its vibe is pure family-friendly fun: fast, funny, and earnest, with Mario’s determination and Luigi’s charm carrying you from one imaginative set piece to the next. The story is light and straightforward—if you’re looking for deep character drama, this isn’t it—but if you want a joyful, faithful ride that knows exactly what it is, it delivers.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is clearly trying to be a bright, fast, kid-friendly rollercoaster that turns a beloved game world into a big-screen theme park. The problem is it often feels like a highlight reel of references and set pieces stitched together with a thin, formulaic plot—fun in the moment, but not very satisfying if you want story logic, character depth, or surprises. If you’re not already invested in Mario nostalgia, the constant fan-service can come off as shallow rather than charming. Still, the animation is slick, the pace rarely drags, and younger viewers (or anyone happy to just vibe with the visuals and callbacks) will likely have a good time.