8 Super Mario Bros Movie Complaints That The Sequel Needs To Fix (Despite $1 Billion Box Office)

The Super Mario Bros. Movie had an incredible box office run grossing over $1.3 billion, but for a sequel to succeed, it must address its biggest complaints. Although it had a few issues, The Super Mario Bros. Movie became one of the most successful movies of the year. It is the second highest-grossing film of 2023 and is one of just six movies to make a billion at the box office since 2020. The popularity of the franchise mixed with a genuinely strong video game adaptation proved to work for Mario’s first proper movie since 1993. These triumphs have already furthered the franchise’s legacy, but there are still problems a sequel faces.

Despite being a major success, the movie isn’t without its flaws. The Super Mario Bros. Movie received mixed reviews with audiences enjoying the film far more than critics. It is ranked rotten on Rotten Tomatoes, scoring just 59% among critics, yet its audience score is 95%. This shows there is a big divide between critics and fans, but also that even though audiences tended to enjoy the movie, there are still valid criticisms. With no updates on The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2, the sequel is still to be confirmed; however, a second Mario film will have to address the first movie’s complaints to replicate its success.

8 The Sequel Needs To Use Its Side Characters Better

Many Of The Super Mario Bros Movie’s Side Characters Lacked A Long-Term Role

While The Super Mario Bros. Movie did a good job of including plenty of characters, it failed to properly utilize some of its less prominent ones. A plethora of iconic characters were introduced, but only some got significant roles. Donkey Kong and Toad got lots of screen time and played a pivotal role in the plot, but the likes of Giuseppe, Penguin King, and Cranky Kong had limited impact. Even Lumalee could’ve had a bigger role in The Super Mario Bros. Movie despite the obscure characters’ frequent appearances. Making sure even the less significant characters have more purpose is an area the potential sequel must improve.

7 The Super Mario Bros Movie 2 Must Become More Original

Some Animated Competitors Have Shown Far More Originality Than The Super Mario Bros Movie

There is no doubt that The Super Mario Bros. Movie significantly outperformed its animated competition financially, but it still lacks the same originality. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is the second highest-grossing animated film of all time, only behind Frozen II. This reflects its popularity, but not necessarily its quality, as both Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem performed far better critically. Their stories, art styles, and character portrayals had far more originality than the Mario movie. There are signs of promise already, but a sequel including its own characters and ideas would make it stand out.

6 Princess Peach Needs To Be Less Like Princess Daisy In The Sequel

While Anya Taylor-Joy’s Performance Was Great, Her Character Felt Closer To Daisy Than Peach

Anya Taylor-Joy voices Princess Peach in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and while her performance is great, the character still has a few problems. Princess Peach was a more proactive member of the story. To avoid the damsel in distress trope, the movie ensured she was capable of accompanying Mario on an adventure and even helped train him. While this works for a more compelling narrative than Peach being captured in the games, it does majorly alter her character. Instead, Peach’s personality and characteristics feel more like Princess Daisy, something the movie can combat by introducing Daisy or reshaping Peach’s character.

5 The Super Mario Bros Movie 2 Needs To Be Less Predictable

The Super Mario Bros Movie Failed To Offer Many Major Surprises

From a plot point of view, The Super Mario Bros. Movie doesn’t offer any major surprises. There are a lot of clever Easter Eggs and unexpected jokes, but as far as the story goes, nothing is too surprising. Bowser wanting to capture Peach only for Mario to foil his scheme was easily anticipated. Donkey Kong being the surprise foe Mario has to overcome only for Mario to win, and the two becoming allies, was also very predictable. The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 must find a way to divert audience expectations and offer stories and cameos that are genuinely hard to see coming, rather than being too safe with its narrative.

4 The Super Mario Bros Movie 2 Needs To Spend Longer Developing Characters

The Pacing Of The Super Mario Bros. Movie Left Little Time For Character Development

Mario had a bit of a full-circle story, managing to go from the underdog that people underestimate to saving Brooklyn and the Mushroom Kingdom. His story was the most fleshed out, but even his character arc was a little rushed. The montage of Mario completing Peach’s training course was a highlight of the film, but still rushes him going from plumber to hero. Most other characters were given distinct personalities to start with and never really changed all too much, as Luigi, Peach, Bowser, and Toad are all mostly the same characters they were to begin with. A sequel must resolve the pacing issue and focus on developing the characters.

3 Mario Needs To Rely Less On Power-Ups In Super Mario Bros Movie 2

Power-Ups Were Required For Mario To Win His Fights

To win the major fights in the film, Mario became too reliant on power-ups. While the story highlighted his bravery, he couldn’t have won without power-ups. His main fights against Donkey Kong and Bowser required the Cat Suit and the Super Star to find a path to victory, showing his skills are still limited. The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 still needs power-ups and has plenty to bring in, but Mario shouldn’t rely on them. He can use them for certain situations, like needing the Penguin Suit to navigate ice, but when it comes to taking on the movie’s main villain, it should just be Mario and his skillset that save the day.

2 Luigi Needs A Bigger Role In The Super Mario Bros Movie 2

Luigi Was A Prisoner For The Majority Of The Movie

The role of Luigi was slightly disappointing considering it was supposed to be about the Mario brothers. Rather than having his own separate storyline, Luigi was sidelined, becoming Bowser’s prisoner. He was essentially the catalyst of the story but didn’t have a significant impact until the end of the film. The next movie should make Luigi more prominent, giving him more involvement or even making him the protagonist. A Luigi’s mansion spinoff could redeem The Super Mario Bros. Movie‘s absence of the character and show him more love. Regardless of what Mario project Illumination does next, Luigi has to be at the heart of it.

1 The Super Mario Bros Movie 2 Needs A Better Storyline

The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 Could Still Improve The Overall Plot

By no means was The Super Mario Bros. Movie‘s story bad, but it could still be better. While the movie thrived on bringing the iconic game franchise’s world to life and including memorable Easter Eggs, it didn’t do anything out of the ordinary with its story. The plot was nothing Mario fans haven’t seen before and could easily improve in the next film. The Super Mario Bros Movie 2 without Jack Black’s Bowser may look concerning, but it could be a blessing. Black stole the show, but letting new villains take center stage could give the movie fresh ideas and result in the story undergoing massive improvements.