The Super Mario Bros. Movie
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a 2023 animated adventure-comedy film produced by Illumination and Nintendo, based on the highly popular Mario video game franchise. The movie tells an origin story for brothers Mario and Luigi, Italian-American plumbers from Brooklyn who are transported to a magical alternate world. Separated upon arrival, Mario teams up with Princess Peach and Toad to rescue Luigi from the villainous Bowser, who plans to marry Peach and conquer the Mushroom Kingdom. The film is designed to appeal to both children and adult fans of the long-running video game series, incorporating numerous references and visual homages to the games. With a runtime of 92 minutes, it offers a fast-paced, visually engaging experience for families.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumWhile the movie does not feature explicit LGBTQ+ characters or storylines as central themes, one brief scene depicts Bowser's minion Kamek wearing a Princess Peach costume, wig, and makeup, which some sources interpret as a form of drag. Additionally, a highly interpretive and potentially satirical student newspaper article made claims of implied lesbian relationships between Princess Peach and Princess Daisy, and 'erotic undertones' between Luigi and Bowser, although these are not widely recognized or canon.
Kamek, Bowser's right-hand sorcerer, briefly appears wearing a Princess Peach wedding dress, wig, and makeup during Bowser's forced wedding ceremony. A review from 'The California Tech' controversially suggested 'lesbian relationship that blossoms between the historically helpless 'Princesses' Peach and Daisy' and 'strong erotic undertones that were painted between Luigi and Bowser,' citing visual references to 'yaoi tropes' from the moment Bowser first caressed Luigi's cheek.
Violence
MediumThe film contains frequent animated action and fantasy violence typical of the video game franchise, including battles, explosions, and physical altercations that are mostly non-graphic. While often comedic, some scenes are intense and involve threats of harm or destruction.
Bowser attacks the peaceful penguin kingdom with lava blasts, burns their castle to the ground, and imprisons the inhabitants, threatening them. During a kart racing sequence on Rainbow Road, characters are involved in crashes and near-misses, with vehicles being knocked out or destroyed in explosions.
Witchcraft & Occult
MediumThe film features magical elements and fantastical abilities inherent to the Super Mario universe. This includes characters gaining power from 'magic mushrooms' and various forms of spellcasting and supernatural phenomena, which are presented within a fantasy context rather than realistic occult practices.
Mario consumes 'magic mushrooms' which grant him temporary super strength and growth, a core power-up mechanic from the games. Bowser, a powerful sorcerer, uses magic extensively, such as conjuring lava, launching fireballs, and freezing Princess Peach in a block of ice during confrontations.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe movie contains several scenes that may be frightening or intense for younger or sensitive viewers. These include menacing villains, perilous situations, and unsettling imagery, particularly in the darker regions of the Mushroom Kingdom.
Luigi is pursued through a dark, deadly forest by zombie-like skeletal creatures with glowing red eyes, who claw out of the ground and attempt to capture him. Later, in a haunted house, Luigi encounters creepy, ghost-like figures with masks that emerge from the darkness, causing him to scream in terror.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe film includes instances of mild disrespect and rebellion, primarily shown through Mario and Luigi defying societal expectations and their former boss to pursue their own plumbing business. Some characters also engage in sarcastic remarks or bullying.
Mario and Luigi explicitly defy their former boss, Spike, who belittles their new plumbing venture, calling it a 'joke' and 'worthless.' Mario’s family, particularly his father, expresses disappointment and mild criticism of his decision to leave a steady job to start his own, initially unsuccessful, business.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowRomantic elements are limited and mild, primarily revolving around Bowser's obsessive desire to marry Princess Peach. There is minimal, light flirtation between Mario and Peach, and no explicit sexual content or nudity is present.
Bowser explicitly states his intention to marry Princess Peach and expresses jealousy towards Mario's interactions with her, describing her as physically attractive to him. Mario is shown briefly flirting with Princess Peach, and another character teases him about the unlikelihood of a romantic relationship between them.
Profanity
LowThe movie includes some mild coarse language and insults. No strong profanity, such as the 'F-word' or similar explicit terms, is used. The language is generally in line with a PG rating for children's animation.
Characters use insults such as 'idiot,' 'dumb,' 'stupid,' and 'worthless.' Phrases like 'shut up,' 'lunatic,' 'psycho,' and the derogatory statement 'You're a joke and you always will be' are also present in dialogue.
Substance Use
LowThe only instance of substance use involves the consumption of 'magic mushrooms' by Mario and other characters. These are presented as fantastical power-ups that grant special abilities within the game world and are not portrayed as realistic or harmful drug use.
Mario eats 'magic mushrooms' to gain temporary super strength and to grow larger, a central gameplay element that is integrated into the film's action sequences. Other characters within the Mushroom Kingdom also utilize similar power-ups derived from plants and objects in their environment for fantastical effects.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowNo explicit anti-Christian themes, mockery of Christian beliefs, or sacrilegious acts were found in the content analysis. The movie's fantastical setting and themes do not directly engage with or oppose Christian doctrines.
The movie focuses on an animated fantasy adventure and does not include any direct or implied criticism, mockery, or negative portrayal of Christian faith or religious practices. The narrative primarily deals with themes of heroism, teamwork, and persistence in a secular fantasy world.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
The movie is officially rated PG for 'action and mild violence' by the MPAA. Given some intense scenes and scary imagery, it is generally recommended for children aged 6 and over, with parental guidance advised for those aged 6-8, and potentially unsuitable for children under 6 due to scenes involving a menacing villain and unsettling creatures.
Additional Notes
The Super Mario Bros. Movie emphasizes positive themes such as teamwork, persistence, courage, and loyalty. It also presents opportunities for parents to discuss the importance of believing in oneself, not giving up, and the consequences of greed or trying to force one's will on others. The film features a post-credits scene teasing a potential sequel.
Related Reviews
Is The Super Mario Bros. Movie right for your family?
These concerns are a starting point — what many Christian parents care about. Want to screen for other themes? Define your own concerns.
Screen any book, movie, or show — even titles no one else has reviewed.
“StoryScanner gives us clarity and confidence. It's become our go-to for checking books at the library and movies on family night.”
— Cristi & Brian, Dallas TX
“StoryScanner has been such a BLESSING for researching books for our children. You can set filters for your concerns, enter a book title, and it lets you know what's present.”
— Christian Book Reviews for Families (Facebook)
No credit card required