The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Brooklyn plumbers Mario and Luigi are warped to the magical Mushroom Kingdom, and Mario must team up with Princess Peach, Toad, and Donkey Kong to save Luigi from the evil Bowser.
Despite a substantial budget of $100.0M, The Super Mario Bros. Movie became a box office phenomenon, earning $1362.0M worldwide—a remarkable 1262% return.
2 wins & 49 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Mario
Luigi
Princess Peach
Bowser
Toad
Donkey Kong
Cranky Kong
Main Cast & Characters
Mario
Played by Chris Pratt
A Brooklyn plumber who discovers a magical world and must rescue his brother while stopping Bowser's conquest of the Mushroom Kingdom.
Luigi
Played by Charlie Day
Mario's younger brother who gets captured by Bowser and serves as Mario's motivation throughout his journey.
Princess Peach
Played by Anya Taylor-Joy
The determined and capable ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom who trains Mario and leads the defense against Bowser.
Bowser
Played by Jack Black
The fearsome King of the Koopas who seeks to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom and marry Princess Peach by any means necessary.
Toad
Played by Keegan-Michael Key
A cheerful and loyal Mushroom Kingdom resident who befriends Mario and guides him to Princess Peach.
Donkey Kong
Played by Seth Rogen
The boastful prince of the Jungle Kingdom who initially rivals Mario but becomes a crucial ally against Bowser.
Cranky Kong
Played by Fred Armisen
The gruff ruler of the Jungle Kingdom and Donkey Kong's father who demands Mario prove himself in combat.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Mario and Luigi are shown as struggling Brooklyn plumbers who have just launched their own business, Super Mario Bros. Plumbing, desperate to prove themselves while facing doubt from their family.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when While attempting to fix the water main underground, Mario and Luigi discover a mysterious green pipe. They are sucked into it and separated—Luigi pulled toward the Dark Lands and Mario toward the Mushroom Kingdom.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Mario chooses to accompany Princess Peach on her journey to the Jungle Kingdom to recruit the Kong Army, committing to this new world and the quest to save Luigi and stop Bowser., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Mario defeats Donkey Kong in the arena using a Cat Suit power-up, earning the respect of the Kong Army. This false victory secures their alliance—the combined forces now march toward the Mushroom Kingdom on Rainbow Road., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Mario and Donkey Kong are swallowed by a giant Maw-Ray eel, trapped in its belly seemingly with no escape. The army is defeated, Peach is captured, Luigi faces execution, and all hope appears lost—a literal brush with death., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 73 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Mario and Donkey Kong find a Rocket Barrel and Fire Flower inside the eel. Using teamwork born from mutual understanding, they blast their way out—Mario now fully embracing his abilities and identity as a hero., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Super Mario Bros. Movie's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Super Mario Bros. Movie against these established plot points, we can identify how Aaron Horvath utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Super Mario Bros. Movie within the animation genre.
Aaron Horvath's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Aaron Horvath films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Super Mario Bros. Movie exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Aaron Horvath filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll. For more Aaron Horvath analyses, see Teen Titans Go! To the Movies.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mario and Luigi are shown as struggling Brooklyn plumbers who have just launched their own business, Super Mario Bros. Plumbing, desperate to prove themselves while facing doubt from their family.
Theme
During the disastrous family dinner, Mario's father dismisses his dreams, telling him he's wasting his life. The theme is established: believing in yourself when no one else does.
Worldbuilding
We see Mario and Luigi's life in Brooklyn—their failed plumbing business, mocking commercials, unsupportive family, and their deep brotherly bond. When a water main breaks, they see a chance to prove themselves.
Disruption
While attempting to fix the water main underground, Mario and Luigi discover a mysterious green pipe. They are sucked into it and separated—Luigi pulled toward the Dark Lands and Mario toward the Mushroom Kingdom.
Resistance
Mario arrives in the Mushroom Kingdom and meets Toad, who guides him to Princess Peach. Meanwhile, Luigi is captured by Bowser's forces. Mario learns about the threat Bowser poses and that Peach plans to seek help from the Kong Army.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Mario chooses to accompany Princess Peach on her journey to the Jungle Kingdom to recruit the Kong Army, committing to this new world and the quest to save Luigi and stop Bowser.
Mirror World
Princess Peach reveals her origin story—she too came through a pipe as a baby and was raised in the Mushroom Kingdom. She represents what Mario could become: someone who found belonging and purpose in this strange new world.
Premise
Mario and Peach traverse the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario completes the training course, they arrive at the Jungle Kingdom, and Mario must fight Donkey Kong in an arena battle to win Cranky Kong's support. Classic Mario gameplay elements come to life.
Midpoint
Mario defeats Donkey Kong in the arena using a Cat Suit power-up, earning the respect of the Kong Army. This false victory secures their alliance—the combined forces now march toward the Mushroom Kingdom on Rainbow Road.
Opposition
Bowser's forces ambush the convoy on Rainbow Road. Despite their alliance, the heroes are overwhelmed. Bowser uses Bullet Bills and destroys the road, sending Mario, Donkey Kong, and the Kongs plummeting into the ocean while capturing Peach and the Toads.
Collapse
Mario and Donkey Kong are swallowed by a giant Maw-Ray eel, trapped in its belly seemingly with no escape. The army is defeated, Peach is captured, Luigi faces execution, and all hope appears lost—a literal brush with death.
Crisis
Inside the eel, Mario and Donkey Kong are forced to confront their failures. DK admits his father never believed in him either. They bond over their shared experience of being underestimated and dismissed by family.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Mario and Donkey Kong find a Rocket Barrel and Fire Flower inside the eel. Using teamwork born from mutual understanding, they blast their way out—Mario now fully embracing his abilities and identity as a hero.
Synthesis
Mario and DK race to stop Bowser's wedding to Peach. Peach fights back with an Ice Flower. Luigi is freed. When Bowser uses the Super Star, Mario grabs it and shares its power with Luigi. Together, the brothers defeat Bowser and destroy the warp pipe threatening Brooklyn.
Transformation
Mario and Luigi emerge as heroes in Brooklyn, celebrated by the city they once felt rejected by. They return to their apartment, but now a warp pipe in their room connects them to the Mushroom Kingdom—they've found where they truly belong.