The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Plot:
Italian-American plumber brothers Mario and Luigi face their first adventure when they're transported to the Mushroom Kingdom, ruled by Princess Peach. Bowser, a Koopa king seeking to conquer the kingdom, captures Luigi and seeks to marry Peach. Mario teams up with Toad to save his brother and the Mushroom Kingdom, discovering his own strength and determination in the process.
Voice Cast:
- Chris Pratt as Mario
- Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach
- Charlie Day as Luigi
- Jack Black as Bowser
- Keegan-Michael Key as Toad
- Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong
- Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong
Production:
After the critical failure of the 1993 live-action Mario film, Nintendo became wary of film adaptations. In 2016, they partnered with Illumination and Universal Pictures for an animated Mario film. Development began in 2020, with Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic directing and Matthew Fogel writing the screenplay.
Animation:
The film juggles stylized animation with realism, aiming for both iconic cartoon moments and a sense of action and stakes. Animation was handled by Illumination Studios Paris, with inspiration drawn from the Mario games' visual style.
Reception:
The Super Mario Bros. Movie received mixed reviews from critics, but grossed $1.36 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film based on a video game and the first to surpass $1 billion. It also received three Golden Globe nominations.
Box Office Performance:
The film broke multiple box office records, including the highest opening weekend for a video game adaptation and the first ever film based on a video game to gross over $1 billion. It became the second-highest-grossing film of 2023 and the 17th-highest-grossing film of all time.
Sequel and Spin-Offs:
A sequel has been announced for April 3, 2026, with the same creative team returning. There have also been expressions of interest in spin-off films focusing on Luigi's Mansion, Donkey Kong Country, and Princess Peach.