The Super Mario Bros Movie

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2023

83%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Brooklyn plumbers save the Mushroom Kingdom in this colorful, crowd-pleasing adventure that finally gets a Mario movie right.

59%

7.6

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The Super Mario Bros Movie

movie

PG, 2023

83%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Brooklyn plumbers save the Mushroom Kingdom in this colorful, crowd-pleasing adventure that finally gets a Mario movie right.

59%

7.6

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59%

7.6

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Screenwise Verdict

This is what a family movie should be: fun, colorful, safe, and entertaining for everyone on the couch. It's not going to change anyone's life or teach your kid to code, but it will give you 93 minutes of shared enjoyment and probably inspire some imaginative play afterward.

The Mario movie finally delivers what fans have wanted for decades—a faithful, energetic adaptation that respects the source material while being accessible to newcomers. Parents who grew up playing Mario will appreciate the Easter eggs; kids discovering it fresh will just enjoy a solid adventure story about two brothers who love each other.

Is it deep? No. Will it win Oscars for screenplay? Also no. But it's genuinely well-made, visually stunning, and knows exactly what it's trying to be. Sometimes that's enough. Actually, most of the time that's exactly what you need for family movie night.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 5-11, though 4-year-olds who can handle mild cartoon action will be fine. Teens might enjoy it for nostalgia or irony, but it's clearly aimed at elementary-aged kids and their families.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Classic story of brotherhood and loyalty with Mario risking everything to save Luigi. Models perseverance, teamwork, and family bonds. The tone is upbeat and encouraging throughout, with humor that lands for both kids and adults. Pacing is energetic but not overwhelming—it's an adventure movie that keeps moving without being chaotic. Minor deduction for some cartoon peril and Bowser's slightly menacing (but comedic) pursuit of Peach.

Imaginative

Visually stunning animated world that brings the beloved Mario universe to vibrant life. The Mushroom Kingdom, Rainbow Road sequences, and various power-up transformations are creative candy for kids who've played the games or are discovering them fresh. Encourages imaginative play and world-building—kids will want to recreate scenes, draw characters, and explore the Mario universe further. The movie celebrates creativity through its colorful environments and inventive action sequences.

Safe

Extremely safe for family viewing. Cartoon action violence (shell-throwing, fireballs, obstacle courses) with zero gore or real-world danger. No inappropriate content, language concerns, or scary imagery that would surprise parents. Bowser is a comedic villain who sings love ballads—hardly nightmare fuel. The peril is adventure-movie stakes (rescuing Luigi, stopping Bowser) without anything genuinely frightening. No content warnings needed. This is designed as a theatrical family experience and delivers exactly what parents expect from a PG-rated animated adventure.

Enriching

It's a fun, well-executed adventure movie but not particularly deep. The themes of brotherhood, courage, and believing in yourself are present but surface-level. Kids learn about persistence (Mario keeps trying despite setbacks) and teamwork. The movie rewards Mario fans with Easter eggs and references that create shared cultural literacy. However, it's primarily entertainment—there's no complex character development, moral nuance, or skill-building beyond inspiring imaginative play. That's perfectly fine for what it is, but it won't spark deep conversations or teach specific skills.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Visually gorgeous animation that brings the Mario universe to life—kids will be mesmerized by the colors and action
Strong sibling bond at the center: Mario's determination to rescue Luigi models loyalty and perseverance without being preachy
Genuinely funny for both kids and adults (Jack Black's Bowser singing a power ballad is chef's kiss)
Perfect gateway for kids who haven't played Mario games yet, and a nostalgia fest for parents who grew up with them
Fast-paced but not frantic—93 minutes of pure entertainment without dragging or overwhelming younger viewers

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What to Watch For

Some cartoon action peril and chase sequences—nothing scary, but very young or sensitive kids might get a bit tense during Bowser scenes
May trigger intense desire to play Mario games or buy Mario toys (consider yourself warned)
It's all surface-level fun—don't expect deep character development or life lessons beyond 'believe in yourself and save your brother'

Conversation Starters

"What would you do if you and your sibling got separated in a magical world? How would you find each other?"
"Which power-up from the movie would you want in real life? The fire flower? The super star?"
"Mario had to keep trying even when things were really hard. When have you had to keep going even when something was tough?"
"If you could design your own level in the Mushroom Kingdom, what would it look like?"

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The Super Mario Bros Movie – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise