The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Despite a significant budget of $100.0M, The Super Mario Bros. Movie became a massive hit, 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
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Mario and Luigi are struggling plumbers in Brooklyn, watching a rival plumbing company's mocking commercial. They're underdogs trying to make their new business work, facing skepticism from their family and community.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when News report shows a massive water main break flooding Brooklyn. This is their chance to prove themselves as plumbers and save the day, disrupting their cycle of small failed jobs.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 15 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 12% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Mario and Luigi are sucked through a mysterious glowing pipe in the sewers and separated. Mario enters the Mushroom Kingdom while Luigi lands in the Dark Lands. No going back to Brooklyn now., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 40% of the runtime—significantly early, compressing the first half. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Bowser's forces ambush the Kong Army convoy on the way to stop him. The army is defeated, Mario and Donkey Kong are captured, and the mission fails catastrophically. False defeat: the plan has collapsed., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (60% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Mario and Donkey Kong plummet into the ocean inside an eel, seemingly doomed. Mario is at his lowest point, believing he's failed Luigi, Peach, and everyone counting on him. Metaphorical death of hope., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 65% of the runtime. Mario and DK race to the wedding, rescue Luigi and Peach, battle Bowser through Brooklyn with various power-ups, and ultimately defeat him together. The brothers combine their strengths and prove themselves as heroes., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Super Mario Bros. Movie's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping The Super Mario Bros. Movie against these established plot points, we can identify how the filmmaker 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 its genre.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mario and Luigi are struggling plumbers in Brooklyn, watching a rival plumbing company's mocking commercial. They're underdogs trying to make their new business work, facing skepticism from their family and community.
Theme
At the dinner table, their father dismisses their dreams: "You're bringing everyone down with you." The theme emerges: believing in yourself despite others' doubt, and the power of brotherly loyalty in the face of adversity.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Brooklyn life, the brothers' struggling business, family dynamics showing lack of faith in them, and their determination to prove themselves. Includes their first plumbing job attempt and the commercial they made.
Disruption
News report shows a massive water main break flooding Brooklyn. This is their chance to prove themselves as plumbers and save the day, disrupting their cycle of small failed jobs.
Resistance
The brothers debate whether they can handle this big job. Mario rallies Luigi, showing his protective big brother role. They venture into the sewers beneath Brooklyn to fix the leak.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Mario and Luigi are sucked through a mysterious glowing pipe in the sewers and separated. Mario enters the Mushroom Kingdom while Luigi lands in the Dark Lands. No going back to Brooklyn now.
Premise
The fun of the Mario universe: exploring the Mushroom Kingdom, meeting Toad, Mario training on Peach's obstacle course, recruiting Donkey Kong and the Kong Army, the Rainbow Road sequence. The adventure the audience came for.
Midpoint
Bowser's forces ambush the Kong Army convoy on the way to stop him. The army is defeated, Mario and Donkey Kong are captured, and the mission fails catastrophically. False defeat: the plan has collapsed.
Opposition
Mario and DK are imprisoned and sentenced to execution. Meanwhile, Bowser prepares to force Peach into marriage and destroy the Mushroom Kingdom with his Bomber Bill. The bad guys have won and time is running out.
Collapse
Mario and Donkey Kong plummet into the ocean inside an eel, seemingly doomed. Mario is at his lowest point, believing he's failed Luigi, Peach, and everyone counting on him. Metaphorical death of hope.
Crisis
In the eel's belly, Mario has a dark night moment. Donkey Kong challenges his self-doubt. Mario opens up about always being underestimated, finding resolve in his refusal to give up on Luigi.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Mario and DK race to the wedding, rescue Luigi and Peach, battle Bowser through Brooklyn with various power-ups, and ultimately defeat him together. The brothers combine their strengths and prove themselves as heroes.