The Super Mario Bros. Movie: The Mario Universe on the Big Screen

FilmIlluminationCinema

$1.36 billion at the box office for a film the critics never saw coming. Released on April 5, 2023 in France and directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic for Illumination and Nintendo, the film runs 1 hr 32 min. This page details its synopsis, its faithfulness to the Mario universe, its top-tier voice cast and the gap between critical reception and commercial triumph.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie, released in April 2023, marks a historic turning point for Nintendo. Born from a collaboration between Illumination Entertainment (the creators of Despicable Me) and Nintendo itself, this animated adaptation brings Mario's legendary universe back to life on the big screen. With dazzling animation, an exemplary respect for the license and a top-tier voice cast, the film stands as a model of a successful video game adaptation.

Contents

• Technical sheet
• Synopsis
• An adaptation faithful to the Mario universe
• A top-tier voice cast
• A fast-paced, colorful and universal film
• Critical success and box-office triumph
• Why such enthusiasm?
• Toward a Nintendo Cinematic Universe?
• FAQ
• Conclusion

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Technical sheet

• Original title: The Super Mario Bros. Movie
• Release date: April 5, 2023 (France, USA…)
• Running time: 1 hr 32 min
• Studios: Illumination / Nintendo
• Directors: Aaron Horvath & Michael Jelenic
• Screenplay: Matthew Fogel
• Music: Brian Tyler — arrangements inspired by Koji Kondo
• Original voices: Chris Pratt (Mario), Charlie Day (Luigi), Anya Taylor-Joy (Peach), Jack Black (Bowser), Keegan-Michael Key (Toad), Seth Rogen (Donkey Kong)

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Synopsis

In Brooklyn, brothers Mario and Luigi work as plumbers until the day they are sucked into a dimensional Warp Pipe. Separated on arrival, Luigi is captured by Bowser, while Mario discovers the Mushroom Kingdom. Helped by Peach, Toad and Donkey Kong, Mario will have to save his brother and stop Bowser from conquering the kingdoms… and from forcing Peach to marry him.

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An adaptation faithful to the Mario universe

• Iconic settings: green Warp Pipes, castles, lava worlds, tropical jungles…
• Legendary items: red mushrooms, Fire Flowers, Super Star, the cat suit…
• Music: remixed classic themes + new epic tracks by Brian Tyler
• Nods: Donkey Kong, Mario Kart, Smash Bros., Luigi’s Mansion, the 1985 title screen…

The film speaks to longtime fans without losing the younger audience: a gateway and a nostalgic gift all at once.

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A top-tier voice cast

• Chris Pratt: a clumsy but determined Mario
• Charlie Day: an anxious, endearing Luigi
• Anya Taylor-Joy: Peach as a strong, inspiring leader
• Jack Black as Bowser — the film's big surprise, with the hit “Peaches”
• Seth Rogen: an arrogant, hilarious Donkey Kong

The French dub handled by seasoned pros preserves the spirit of the original version perfectly.

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A fast-paced, colorful and universal film

Visually generous, fast and easy to follow, the film chains humor and action together. The Mario Kart sequence on Rainbow Road remains one of the high points, blending fan service and adrenaline.

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Critical success and box-office triumph

• Worldwide box office: over $1.36 billion
• The highest-grossing video game adaptation in history
• Audiences won over: high ratings on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes (audience score)
• More measured reviews: they praise the faithfulness but point to a simple screenplay

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Why such enthusiasm?

• Absolute respect for the Mario license
• Animation that is smooth, colorful and expressive
• A family-friendly work that never talks down to its audience
• A masterful blend of humor, action and emotion
• A hands-on production by Nintendo, protective of its image

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Toward a Nintendo Cinematic Universe?

A sequel confirmed for 2026, an official live-action Zelda film: everything points to a Nintendo cinematic universe in the making. Rumors already mention Donkey Kong, Luigi, even Kirby.

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Quick recap

Original title	The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Release (France)	April 5, 2023
Running time	1 hr 32 min
Studios	Illumination / Nintendo
Directors	Aaron Horvath & Michael Jelenic
Worldwide box office	Over $1.36 billion
Main original voices	Chris Pratt (Mario), Jack Black (Bowser)

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🍄 Want to keep the adventure going? Discover our Mario figures in the store.

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FAQ

• When was The Super Mario Bros. Movie released?
  The film was released on April 5, 2023, in France as well as in the United States.
• Who produced the Super Mario Bros movie?
  It came out of a collaboration between Illumination Entertainment (creators of Despicable Me) and Nintendo.
• Who voices the characters in the original version?
  Chris Pratt voices Mario, Charlie Day voices Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy voices Peach, Jack Black voices Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key voices Toad and Seth Rogen voices Donkey Kong.
• Was the film a success?
  Yes, with over $1.36 billion at the worldwide box office, which makes it the highest-grossing video game adaptation in history.
• Is a sequel planned?
  Yes, a sequel titled The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is scheduled for April 2026, and a live-action The Legend of Zelda film has been made official (release planned for 2027).

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Conclusion

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a brilliant, faithful and thrilling adaptation that manages to turn a playable universe into a mainstream cinematic work without betraying its essence. It celebrates everything that makes up the magic of Mario and paves the way for a promising future for Nintendo in cinema.

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