25 Brilliant Easter Eggs Discovered in the Super Mario Bros. Movie

During the opening week of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, we watched it to create a list of Easter eggs and references. However, the film is chock-full of these hidden gems, making an exhaustive list almost indistinguishable from a full breakdown of the movie itself. The movie’s plot is quite simplistic. The characters barely evolve, and the story is essentially a series of action-packed scenes, with the enjoyment factor directly tied to the viewer’s prior knowledge of the characters and their ability to identify numerous nods to Nintendo’s history.

In other words, the movie’s narrative is akin to a 2D Mario platformer. While critics have lamented the lack of depth and characterization, it is essential to remember that the brilliance of the Mario franchise has always been its gameplay, not its plot. When the gameplay is removed, an entertaining collection of Easter eggs remains, precisely what the movie aimed to deliver. Here are 15 of the best ones we spotted.

A Flawed Father Figure

Kamek, Bowser’s Flawed Father Figure Kamek, the Magikoopa who serves as Bowser’s right-hand man, has a significant presence in the games. He has raised Bowser since he was a baby and is Yoshi’s arch-nemesis.

In the movie, we see Bowser practicing his charm with Kamek disguised as Princess Peach, referencing the bait-and-switch scene from the New Super Mario Bros. series.

It’s-a Me!

Charles Martinet, the iconic voice behind Mario since Super Mario 64, makes a heartwarming cameo as Mario’s father in the movie. Chris Pratt takes the lead role as Mario. Still, Martinet’s appearance pays tribute to his long-standing involvement with the character and his importance in Mario’s evolution over the years.

In addition, the movie reveals that Mario’s parents are based on previously unused designs created by Nintendo, showcasing the depth and richness of the character’s backstory and connecting it with the company’s history.

Punch-Out!! Pizzeria

The Punch-Out!! Pizzeria serves as a delightful homage to the classic NES game, bringing its memorable characters to life within the movie’s universe. The pizzeria’s walls are adorned with photos of Little Mac’s renowned opponents, such as the formidable Bear Hugger, the powerful Mr. Sandman, and the notorious Glass Joe.

This subtle tribute highlights the interconnected nature of Nintendo’s various franchises, creating a sense of nostalgia for fans and reminding them of the iconic games that shaped their childhoods.

Spike The Foreman

In the movie, Spike, Mario and Luigi’s ex-boss, re-emerges to taunt the brothers for starting their own business. As a character who initially appeared as an antagonist in the NES game Wrecking Crew, Spike’s presence serves as a callback to Mario’s early history within the Nintendo universe.

In Wrecking Crew, Mario was depicted as a carpenter, showcasing a different side of the character before he became known as a plumber. By including Spike in the film, the creators pay homage to Mario’s origins and celebrate the character’s growth and development throughout the years.