film / 2023
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Brooklyn plumbers Mario and Luigi are separated in another world, sending Mario across the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue his brother from Bowser.
Verified facts
- Runtime
- 1h 32m
- Director
- Aaron Horvath / Michael Jelenic
- Released
- 2023
- Origin
- United States / Japan
PlotGeeks explainer signals
Why read this explainer
The brothers' separation gives the journey its goal. Peach's training, the Kong alliance, and the return to Brooklyn all help Mario reach Luigi.
PlotGeeks note
Mario's persistence wins help from Peach and Donkey Kong before Luigi rejoins him. The final shared power-up lets both brothers take part in the rescue's outcome.
Connected knowledge
Connected in PlotGeeks
Related explainers and browse pages for The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
- Appears in The animated Super Mario films in order
See where The Super Mario Bros. Movie belongs in the listed reading and viewing orders.
- Explore Family
Family can offer shelter, impose a role, or become the system a character must escape.
Timeline
Major events
- The brothers enter the Warp Pipe
Separation turns a plumbing job into a rescue across two kingdoms.
- Peach trains Mario
Persistence earns him a place in the mission even when he is not naturally powerful.
- Rainbow Road is ambushed
Bowser captures the army and leaves Mario and Donkey Kong to rebuild the rescue.
- Brooklyn becomes the battlefield
The brothers combine the Star's power and defeat Bowser together.
Story in 60 Seconds
The short version
After leaving their employer, Mario and Luigi start a plumbing business in Brooklyn. While trying to stop a major leak, they enter a Warp Pipe and are separated. Mario reaches the Mushroom Kingdom and meets Princess Peach, while Luigi lands in the Dark Lands and is captured by Bowser. Bowser plans to marry Peach and destroy her kingdom if she refuses. Peach trains Mario, recruits the Kongs, and travels toward Bowser's territory. An ambush destroys Rainbow Road, but Mario and Donkey Kong escape a giant eel and return as Bowser's wedding begins.
Spoiler sectionEnding ExplainedShow ending detailsHide ending details
Peach freezes Bowser during the forced wedding, but he breaks free and launches a Bomber Bill at the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario redirects it through the Warp Pipe, pulling Bowser's army into Brooklyn. Mario and Luigi use the Super Star together, defeat Bowser, and earn their family's and city's respect. They then move to the Mushroom Kingdom and continue working as plumbers. Their victory resolves the brothers' need to prove themselves without separating success from their bond.
Original context
Why it matters
Both brothers share the Super Star
The final power-up lets Luigi participate in the victory after spending the journey as a captive. Their choice of a new home keeps their work and partnership together.
Key turning points
The battle reaches Brooklyn
Redirecting the Bomber Bill through the Warp Pipe brings Bowser's army into the brothers' home city. Mario and Luigi can finally confront him together.
Character links
Who connects to whom
Character motivations
Mario keeps trying to reach Luigi
The training and alliances give Mario ways to continue after the pipe separates them. Rescuing his brother remains the purpose connecting the unfamiliar kingdoms and encounters.
Explore the story
Creators, themes, and characters
Reading and watching order
Where this story fits
Films
The animated Super Mario films in order
Watch The Super Mario Bros. Movie before The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The second film continues the characters and Bowser conflict established in the first.
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