Anya Taylor-Joy is the voice of the modern, "girl boss" Princess Peach in the new Super Mario Galaxy (movie), and while she’s a hero to your elementary schooler right now, her broader filmography is a high-fashion, high-intensity mix of psychological thrillers and R-rated sci-fi that is definitely not for the Mario Kart crowd.
TL;DR
Anya Taylor-Joy is the definitive voice of Princess Peach in the Nintendo cinematic universe, including the hit Super Mario Galaxy (movie) and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. While she is iconic in these family-friendly roles, the rest of her work—like The Queen's Gambit (show) and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (movie)—is strictly for mature audiences. Screenwise suggests keeping the kids focused on her voice-acting work and saving her live-action dramas for your own post-bedtime viewing.
If your kids are obsessed with the Super Mario Galaxy (movie) that just hit theaters today, they probably know Anya Taylor-Joy best as the voice of Princess Peach. She has completely redefined the character from a "save me, Mario" damsel into a motorcycle-riding, halberd-swinging leader. It’s a great version of the character for kids to look up to because she’s competent, brave, and doesn't actually need Mario to solve her problems.
But here’s where it gets tricky for parents: Anya Taylor-Joy is also a massive fashion icon and a serious "prestige" actress. If your 8-year-old decides to Google "the girl who plays Peach," they aren't going to find a bunch of pink dresses and castle tea parties. They’re going to find avant-garde red carpet looks, trailers for intense horror movies, and clips of her playing a world-class chess prodigy struggling with addiction.
Anya Taylor-Joy has one of the most diverse careers in Hollywood right now, which is great for cinema but requires a little navigation for families. She tends to pick roles that are visually striking and emotionally heavy.
The Family-Friendly Side
For the under-12 set, her work is almost entirely contained within the Nintendo universe and a few high-quality animated projects.
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie: This is the gold standard. Her Peach is tough, funny, and central to the plot.
- Super Mario Galaxy (movie): The new sequel doubles down on her role as a galactic protector.
- The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (show): She voices Brea in this Netflix series. It’s beautiful and high-fantasy, though it can be a bit scary for very young children (think 7+).
The "Wait Until High School" Side
Most of the movies that made her famous are not kid-friendly. If you see these on a "Recommended for You" list while the kids are around, you might want to keep scrolling:
- The Queen's Gambit (show): While it made chess "cool" again, it deals with heavy themes of substance abuse and trauma. It's a solid choice for older teens (15+), but not for the Roblox demographic.
- Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (movie): This is a masterpiece of action, but it is incredibly violent and bleak.
- The Witch (movie): Her breakout role. It’s a slow-burn horror movie that will give most adults nightmares, let alone kids.
- Dune: Part Two (movie): She has a brief but pivotal role here. This is generally okay for ages 12+, but it's a far cry from the Mushroom Kingdom.
Kids are drawn to her Princess Peach because she represents a shift in how female characters are portrayed in gaming media. In Super Mario Odyssey, we saw Peach starting to assert her independence, but Anya’s portrayal in the movies has solidified Peach as a hero in her own right.
When kids see her on screen—or hear her voice—they’re seeing a character who is in control. That’s a powerful draw for children who spend most of their lives being told what to do by adults. Screenwise notes that "character-driven fandom" is a primary motivator for screen time in kids aged 6-10; they aren't just playing a game, they are "being" the character.
Since your kids are likely already talking about the new Mario movie, use Anya Taylor-Joy’s career as a jumping-off point for some digital literacy and career conversations:
- The Voice vs. The Person: Talk about how an actor can be the voice of a cartoon character but look and act completely different in real life. This helps younger kids understand the "make-believe" aspect of Hollywood.
- Career Versatility: You can explain that just like some people are good at both math and art, actors can be good at making funny movies for kids and serious movies for grownups.
- Redefining Characters: Ask your kids what they like about the "new" Peach compared to the versions they might see in older games like Super Mario 64. It’s a great way to talk about leadership and courage.
If you have a child who is prone to "rabbit-holing" on YouTube or Google, Anya Taylor-Joy is a name you might want to monitor. Because she is a high-fashion muse for brands like Dior, a simple image search will bring up a lot of "edgy" photography. It’s not necessarily inappropriate, but it’s very different from the bright, primary colors of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Screenwise recommends using YouTube Kids if they want to watch interviews with her about the Mario movies, as the standard YouTube algorithm might quickly pivot from a "Peach interview" to a trailer for a horror movie like The Menu (movie).
Q: Is Anya Taylor-Joy’s Princess Peach a good role model?
Yes, the version of Peach she voices in the Mario movies is widely considered a positive role model. She is depicted as a capable, brave, and proactive leader who focuses on protecting her kingdom rather than being a passive character.
Q: What age is The Queen’s Gambit appropriate for?
Screenwise rates The Queen's Gambit as appropriate for ages 15 and up. While the chess matches are exciting, the show contains mature themes of drug and alcohol dependency, as well as some sexual content and profanity.
Q: Can my 10-year-old watch Furiosa if they liked the Mario movie?
Probably not. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is rated R for intense sequences of extremely vivid violence and some grit that is lightyears away from the tone of the Mario franchise. It’s better to wait until they are at least 16.
Q: Are there any other kid-friendly movies with Anya Taylor-Joy?
Beyond the Mario franchise, her most kid-friendly work is The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance on Netflix. She also appeared in Playmobil: The Movie, which is safe for all ages, though—fair warning—it’s nowhere near as good as the Mario films.
Anya Taylor-Joy is a powerhouse talent who has given us one of the best versions of Princess Peach in history. Enjoy the Super Mario Galaxy (movie) with the family, but keep a mindful eye on the "what's next" button. She’s an artist who caters to adults first, and her role as a video game icon is just one (very cool) facet of a much more mature career.
- Check the ratings: Before letting your child explore her other films, check the Screenwise media page for Anya Taylor-Joy movies.
- Update your filters: Ensure your home network filters are set to catch trailers for R-rated films if your kids are searching for "Princess Peach voice actress."
- Play together: If the movie sparks an interest in the games, check out our guide to the best Mario games for families.