Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) movie poster

Timeline

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2023 · 92 min · English
Echo score 75
Directed by
Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic
Starring
Sebastian Maniscalco, Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Fred Armisen, Keegan-Michael Key, Anya Taylor-Joy
Budget
$100M

Two brothers, Mario and Luigi, are transported through a magical pipe to a vibrant and unusual world. Separated during their arrival, Mario sets out on a perilous quest to find and rescue his brother. Along the way, he joins forces with the resourceful Toad and the courageous Princess Peach. Facing dangerous enemies and challenging obstacles, Mario must tap into his hidden abilities to save Luigi and find a way back home.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Events in order (15)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Movies like The Super Mario Bros. Movie
  5. 5 Every angle

15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Super Mario Bros. Movie Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Bowser's Attack

    The story begins in an icy realm where blue penguins live peacefully. Their tranquility is shattered when the formidable Koopa army, led by Bowser and Kamek, descends from the skies to attack them.

    Where
    Icy realm
  2. Bowser's Destruction

    As the penguins put up a feeble defense, Kamek uses his magic to swiftly dismiss them. Bowser follows up by unleashing his fiery breath, obliterating the penguins’ icy home and securing the Super Star.

    Where
    Icy realm
  3. Mario and Luigi's Plumbing Dream

    In Brooklyn, brothers Mario and Luigi watch a commercial for their struggling plumbing business. Mario defends his timid brother against their former boss, Foreman Spike, as they receive a call for their first job.

    Where
    Brooklyn
  4. The Chaotic Plumbing Job

    Upon arriving at a wealthy couple's home, things go awry when Luigi accidentally steps on the dog's toy. Mario tries to fix the leaky faucet, but chaos unfolds as the dog chases them, leading to a series of slapstick mishaps.

    Where
    Upscale home
  5. Family Dinner and Doubts

    At home, the brothers share a dinner of pasta while their parents express doubt about their plumbing ambitions. This leaves Mario feeling disheartened, and Luigi comforts him, putting more determination in Mario's heart.

    Where
    Home
  6. The Pipe Burst Discovery

    News of a massive pipe burst in downtown Brooklyn ignites Mario's resolve. He believes they are the only ones who can fix it, prompting them to dive underground in search of the problem.

    Where
    Downtown Brooklyn
  7. Entry to Different Realms

    While exploring the sewers, Mario and Luigi fall deeper into the pipes and are unexpectedly sucked into different realms. Luigi ends up in the Dark Lands, pursued by skeletal creatures known as Dry Bones.

  8. Mario Meets Toad

    Mario lands in a vibrant land filled with gigantic mushrooms. He meets Toad, who quickly deduces that Luigi is in danger and offers to guide Mario to the Mushroom Kingdom for help.

    Where
    Mushroom Kingdom
  9. Mario Trains with Princess Peach

    At Princess Peach’s castle, Mario learns about Bowser's threat and seeks help to find Luigi. Peach agrees to assist him only if he can prove his worth, so she presents him with an obstacle course.

    Where
    Peach's Castle
  10. Allies in the Kong Kingdom

    Mario arrives in the Kong Kingdom to seek the army of Cranky Kong against Bowser. After Mario proves himself capable by defeating Donkey Kong in an arena battle, Cranky agrees to join their cause.

    Where
    Kong Kingdom
  11. Luigi's Captivity

    Meanwhile, Luigi finds himself imprisoned alongside the captured penguins and their king. He is tormented by Bowser’s minions while hoping for a rescue.

    Where
    Bowser's castle
  12. The Battle Across Rainbow Road

    As Mario, Peach, and Toad prepare to confront Bowser, they face numerous challenges along Rainbow Road. Peach showcases her bravery by saving Toad, while Mario dodges traps and explosives.

    Where
    Rainbow Road
  13. The Wedding Trap

    Peach is forced to agree to marry Bowser to save her friends, leading to a dramatic wedding scene. However, she reveals her true intentions, using a mystical flower to freeze Bowser and start an epic battle.

    Where
    Bowser's castle
  14. The Climactic Showdown

    With Luigi close to defeat, Mario and Donkey Kong come together to confront Bowser. They become invincible after touching the Super Star and ultimately defeat Bowser, saving their friends and the kingdom.

    Where
    Mushroom Kingdom
  15. A New Life in the Mushroom Kingdom

    As they return to their plumbing business, Mario and Luigi are hailed as heroes. They embrace their new life, ready for more whimsical adventures in the Mushroom Kingdom through a portal pipe.

    Where
    Mushroom Kingdom

Last updated: November 07, 2024 at 22:45

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

The Super Mario Bros. Movie Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Bowser want to marry Princess Peach?

Bowser wants to marry Peach to take control of her kingdom. He intends to use the Super Star's power to make himself invincible so that no one can stand in his way, and he believes marrying Peach is the path to achieving his goal of ruling the Mushroom Kingdom.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Bowser smashes open a question mark box to claim the Super Star, declaring that no one can stop him.

  • bowser
  • princess peach
  • marry
  • kingdom
  • super star
Q2

How does Mario become invincible in the final battle?

Mario and Luigi become invincible after touching the Super Star during the climactic confrontation with Bowser. The Super Star grants them temporary invincibility, allowing them to overpower Bowser and save everyone in the Mushroom Kingdom.

Foreshadowing: Bowser already obtained the Super Star early in the movie, establishing its immense power.

  • super star
  • invincible
  • final battle
  • power up
Q3

Why does Princess Peach agree to marry Bowser?

Peach agrees to marry Bowser to save her friends. After Bowser's forces catch up to the Toads during the evacuation and Kamek threatens to torture them, Peach reluctantly accepts the marriage proposal to protect her people.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Bowser reveals his plan to marry Peach and rule with her using the Super Star's power.

  • princess peach
  • bowser
  • wedding
  • sacrifice
  • save friends
Q4

How does Mario defeat Donkey Kong in the arena?

Mario defeats Donkey Kong by using a cat suit power-up that grants him enhanced agility and reflexes. After several humorous attempts with different power-ups, the cat suit allows Mario to outmaneuver DK and win Cranky Kong's approval.

Foreshadowing: Peach introduced Mario to various power-ups earlier, explaining that each enhances his abilities but can be lost when hit.

  • mario
  • donkey kong
  • cat suit
  • arena
  • cranky kong
Q5

Why does Cranky Kong agree to help Mario?

Cranky Kong agrees to help Mario after he proves himself by defeating Donkey Kong in the arena. Mario's determination to save his brother Luigi despite being smaller and less experienced impresses Cranky, who then commits his army to the fight against Bowser.

Foreshadowing: Mario explicitly states his willingness to face any challenge to rescue Luigi, demonstrating his courage.

  • cranky kong
  • donkey kong
  • army
  • help
  • arena
Q6

How does Princess Peach have fire powers?

Peach demonstrates the ability to wield fire using a mystical flower power-up. This ability proves crucial during the wedding confrontation, where she freezes Bowser in place using the flower and fights back against his forces.

Foreshadowing: Before leaving for the Kong Kingdom, Peach shows Mario her fire-wielding ability using the flower.

  • princess peach
  • fire powers
  • flower
  • battle
  • power up
Q7

What happens to Luigi while trapped in Bowser's castle?

Luigi is held captive in Bowser's castle alongside the captured penguins and their king. He endures torture from Bowser's minions while being forced to reveal information about Mario. He shares his space with a quirky star named Lumalee and remains hopeful for rescue throughout.

Foreshadowing: Luigi was first pursued by Dry Bones in the Dark Lands before being captured by Shy Guys.

  • luigi
  • bowser's castle
  • captivity
  • penguins
  • lumalee
Q8

How does Mario end up in the Mushroom Kingdom?

Mario and Luigi fall through the sewers after following a pipe burst in Brooklyn. They are sucked through a network of magical pipes that transport them to different realms. Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom while Luigi is taken to the Dark Lands.

Foreshadowing: The massive pipe burst in downtown Brooklyn was the event that prompted the brothers to explore the sewers.

  • mario
  • mushroom kingdom
  • pipe
  • brooklyn
  • transport
Q9

What makes Bowser jealous of Mario?

Bowser becomes jealous when Kamek informs him that Princess Peach has been spotted with Mario. This news enrages Bowser and intensifies his determination to capture Mario and force Peach to marry him.

Foreshadowing: Bowser plays a melancholic piano tune shortly before learning about Peach and Mario together.

  • bowser
  • jealousy
  • kamek
  • mario
  • peach
Q10

How does Mario prove himself worthy to Princess Peach?

Mario proves himself by completing Peach's obstacle course. After consuming a mushroom power-up that enhances his size and strength, he spends hours dodging perilous traps until he finally impresses Peach with his determination and abilities.

Foreshadowing: Peach explicitly states she will only help Mario find Luigi if he proves himself worthy.

  • mario
  • princess peach
  • obstacle course
  • prove worthy
  • training
Q11

What is the Super Star and why does everyone want it?

The Super Star is a powerful artifact that grants whoever touches it temporary invincibility. Bowser seeks it to make himself unstoppable, and it ultimately becomes the key to Mario and Luigi's victory in the final battle.

Foreshadowing: Bowser smashes open a question mark box early in the movie to claim the Super Star, declaring no one can stop him.

  • super star
  • invincible
  • power up
  • bowser
Q12

What is the Tanooki suit and why does Mario use it?

The Tanooki suit is a power-up that grants Mario the ability to fly. During the final battle, Mario dons the Tanooki suit to soar through the chaos and confront Bowser's forces more effectively.

Foreshadowing: Mario previously used various power-ups during his arena battle with Donkey Kong, establishing his familiarity with different suits.

  • tanooki suit
  • fly
  • power up
  • final battle
  • mario

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Super Mario Bros. Movie tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Fast-paced fantasy adventures like The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Whimsical journeys through vibrant worlds with non-stop action and lighthearted humor. If you loved the thrilling pace and colorful world of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, this list is for you. Discover other family-friendly animated movies with rapid-fire action, heroic journeys, and vibrant, whimsical settings that deliver a consistently fun and exciting experience.

  • fast-paced
  • colorful
  • adventurous
  • humorous
  • heroic
  • lighthearted
  • Tone: light, whimsical, hopeful
  • Pacing: fast, action-packed
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread typically follow a straightforward hero's quest, often involving a rescue mission or a battle against a clear villain. The protagonist, frequently an ordinary person thrust into an extraordinary situation, quickly adapts and teams up with allies to overcome a series of exciting, fast-moving challenges. The focus is on action and forward momentum rather than deep character introspection.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here based on their shared high-energy pacing, light and humorous tone, and the central theme of a fantastical adventure. They all create a sense of exhilarating, optimistic fun through their visual spectacle, clear good-versus-evil conflicts, and emphasis on teamwork and quick-witted heroism.

Underdog hero stories like The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Ordinary characters discovering extraordinary courage to save the day against all odds. Fans of Mario's journey from plumber to hero in The Super Mario Bros. Movie will enjoy these films. Explore stories about unlikely protagonists who must find their inner strength, often with the help of friends, to overcome great obstacles and achieve an uplifting victory.

  • uplifting
  • heroic
  • underdog
  • empowering
  • hopeful
  • teamwork
  • Tone: hopeful, uplifting, light
  • Pacing: steady to fast, building momentum
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows a classic underdog arc. The main character starts in a mundane life, is thrust into a crisis (often involving a loved one in danger), and initially struggles with self-doubt. Through training, mentorship, and the support of allies, they unlock hidden potential, gain confidence, and ultimately triumph through heart and cleverness as much as brute strength.

Why they belong together: These movies are connected by the core theme of empowerment and the relatable arc of an unlikely hero. They share a light emotional weight, a fast or steady pacing that builds towards a climax, and a universally satisfying, happy ending that reinforces the message of believing in oneself.

If you liked this

Movies Like The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Similar movies to The Super Mario Bros. Movie: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Super Mario Bros. Movie in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app