Mario Galaxy Movie Trailer Unveils Rosalina, Futuristic Bowser Jr, and Nintendo Deep Cuts

Nintendo just dropped the first Super Mario Galaxy Movie trailer, giving fans a wild taste of what’s next after the blockbuster Super Mario Bros. Movie. The big headlines? Brie Larson steps in as Rosalina. Benny Safdie brings Bowser Jr. to life. And yes, Bowser is now a pint-sized, art-loving menace plotting his comeback with a paintbrush in hand. This wasn’t just a teaser; it was jam-packed with Nintendo references, surprising character designs, and nods to some of the most beloved, and obscure, bits from decades of Mario games.

Bowser Paints a Comeback, While the Cosmos Collide

The trailer opens on a tiny Bowser, shrunken down by a mini mushroom, channeling his inner artist inside his fortress. Armed with a paintbrush (a key detail), he’s whipping up a ‘masterpiece for Princess Peach.’ And if you squint at the paintings scattered around, you’ll spot deep-cut Mario franchise cameos: a Boo ghost, the famous grinning flowers from Yoshi’s Island, and the unmistakable Koopa Clown Car. The detail in these nods suggests the movie is gearing up to celebrate Mario’s entire history, not just the Galaxy saga.

Mario and Peach quickly take center stage as shooting stars streak past the castle. It’s the first hint that the film is ready to launch into wilder, more cosmic territory. Next up, Peach and Toad blast through a glowing star portal, that iconic gateway from Mario Galaxy, catapulting straight into outer space. They’re soon skimming over a tiny, waterlogged planet swarming with Bloopers. This is classic Mario Galaxy energy, and it looks spectacular even in the trailer’s quick flashes.

The action doesn’t stop there. Two shadowy figures—one in red, one in green—tear across a desert landscape on motorbikes. It’s almost certainly Mario and Luigi in full Mario Kart mode. But then they leap across the dunes toward an upside-down pyramid plucked right from Super Mario Odyssey’s Sand Kingdom. This movie clearly isn’t limiting itself: it’s pulling from multiple Mario timelines, keeping old and new fans on their toes.

Peach gets her own hero moment in a neon-lit casino arena. She’s wielding an umbrella against a horde of Ninjis, a callback to Super Mario Bros. 2 (their first appearance), and a wink to both Ninji Jump Party from Wonder and Mario Sunshine’s Sirena Beach Casino. The multigame mashup vibes are strong here.

Introducing Rosalina and the All-New Bowser Jr

Bowser Jr.’s arrival signals the real twist. He’s wielding the paintbrush from Super Mario Sunshine, but he’s sporting metallic armor and a modded, morphing paintbrush that turns into a spiky morning star. His design leans heavily on his futuristic Super Mario Bros. Wonder look, with an extra touch; his voice is now enhanced with a robotic effect. In a wild reversal, it’s Bowser Jr., not senior, who is shaping up to be the movie’s main villain, desperate to save his miniaturized dad.

Just as the trailer seems to hit its peak, Rosalina makes her grand entrance. She tiptoes out of Peach’s castle, only to run smack into Megaleg, the towering robot boss from Galaxy. Rosalina doesn’t flinch. Instead, she uses dazzling star magic, reminiscent of the galaxy portals we just saw. Nintendo even sneaks in a musical Easter egg here: the theme takes a gentle swing to Gusty Garden Galaxy, one of the most loved tracks from the games. If you know, you know.

But Nintendo isn’t done flexing its references. The post-title scene shows Brie Larson voicing Rosalina as she reads from a storybook ringed by multicolored Lumas. Rosalina starts a tale about Princess Peach, but quickly pivots as her Luma audience demands the “one about the plumbers.” This setup riffs on the storybook sequences from both Galaxy games, where Rosalina’s tales bring extra heart (and cosmic lore) to Mario’s chaotic journey.

The Direct sneak peek wraps with another look at Bowser Jr, now shown in his classic getup, a sign his wild new appearance might be temporary or story-driven.

Missing in action? Yoshi, though anticipation is sky-high for his debut. Illumination boss Chris Meledandri teases that the film will showcase “an incredible range of characters…many for the first time, from iconic favourites to deep cuts that longtime fans will recognise.” So, Birdo fans, don’t give up hope just yet. This trailer proves Galaxy is going big, bold, and brilliantly weird; just the way Mario fans like it.