The Super Mario Galaxy Movie opens strong but scores low on Rotten Tomatoes

Fans, gamers and moviegoers are turning out for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which opened in theaters yesterday, April 1. Early reports indicate strong audience interest, however, the film currently holds a 42% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Most critics noted that the sequel leans heavily on entertainment and fan service, with several reviews pointing out that the plot and story depth are on the lighter side, especially for adult audiences. 

On the positive side, many commented praising the movie for the strong sense of nostalgia for longtime fans. Audiences have responded more positively: the film holds a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.7/10 rating on IMDb.

The numbers follow a similar pattern to the first Super Mario Bros. Movie, which totaled a 59% critic score and a 95% audience score, eventually grossing $1.36 billion worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.

Despite mixed critic scores, Galaxy Movie has already posted a strong start at the box office. According to Deadline, the movie earned $34 million on Wednesday alone, marking the highest opening day of the year so far and surpassing Project Hail Mary’s $33.1 million. 

The sequel also the exceeded  Super Mario Bros. Movie, which brought in $31.7 million.