The Best Quotes In The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2025)

The Super Mario Bros. Movie was one of the most anticipated movies of 2023. Luckily, the Nintendo video game adaptation was a hit with both new and long-time fans. Viewers couldn't wait to notice all the Super Mario Easter eggs in the film, like Mario's iconic catchphrases.

Almost every character in The Super Mario Bros. Movie has at least one quote that fans will associate with the character as the franchise continues. From the villainous Bowser to the iconic Lumalee, The Super Mario Bros. Movie gave fans some memorable and hilarious quotes.

Updated by Jordan Iacobucci on December 12, 2024: A sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie is officially on its way, promising to bring even more laughs and adventures than the original film. This list has been updated to include more terrific quotes from The Super Mario Bros Movie and to adhere to CBR's current formatting guidelines.

20 "It Is on Like Donkey Kong!"

Donkey Kong (Voiced by Seth Rogen)

Donkey Kong has one particular line in The Super Mario Bros. movie that may take viewers by surprise but that makes sense. As he prepares to leap into battle, the giant gorilla declares that it is "on like Donkey Kong," making a near rhyme of his name. While this may seem like a random saying, there is a long history of this term in movies.

The term "it's on like Donkey Kong" has appeared in numerous movies, television shows, and even songs, with no one quite sure where the saying originated. One of the earliest examples of the phrase being used in popular culture is in Ice Cube's "Now I Gotta Wet'cha," though there may be earlier uses as well. Nevertheless, it is strange after all these years to hear Donkey Kong himself use the phrase.

19 "There's a Huge Universe Out There. With a Lot of Galaxies."

Princess Peach (Voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy)

The Super Mario Bros. Movie follows Mario and Luigi as they enter a magical world nothing like their own. Upon this discovery, Mario marvels at the strangeness of a whole new world. Understanding his wonderment, Princess Peach reminds him that they live in a vast universe with plenty of galaxies to explore.

This line may have simply been meant to illustrate the vast universe that Mario was previously unaware of. However, fans of Nintendo will recognize the loaded nature of Peach's words. Peach's statement in the movie could hint at the many galaxies that Mario will one day travel to, as is often the case with the Nintendo games starring the character. The Super Mario Bros. Movie was just the beginning and Mario has many more worlds to explore.

18 "Yeah Well, Your Dad's Right!"

Donkey Kong (Voiced by Seth Rogen)

In the third act of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Mario and Donkey Kong find themselves in the belly of a large Maw-Ray fish. There, they wait to die and reflect on disappointing lives. When Mario tries to bond with Donkey Kong over both of their fathers thinking they're losers, the gorilla kills the mood by proclaiming that Mario's dad is correct.

This makes for a hilarious break in what is an otherwise very emotional scene. Even though Donkey Kong pushes away Mario's attempt at relating to him, the two characters eventually come to an understanding in the belly of the Maw-Ray. Eventually, both Mario and Donkey Kong prove their fathers wrong, saving the human world and the Mushroom Kingdom from the evil Bowser.

17 "Together, We'll Annihilate That Monster!"

Princess Peach (Voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy)

The Super Mario Bros. Movie takes some liberties with the Princess Peach character, making her far more fearsome as a warrior than in the video games. When her kingdom prepares to fight against the villainous Bowser, she naturally fits into a leadership position and heads up the charge against the Koopa's forces. As they race into battle, Peach declares that they will annihilate Bowser.

Princess Peach is a strong and resilient leader who will stop at nothing to protect her people from outside forces that want to destroy them. Even though she and her allies face seemingly insurmountable odds, Peach is unafraid to charge into battle to save the day. With her rallying cry, Peach proves herself a worthy leader for the Mushroom Kingdom.

16 "How? Look at Us! We're Adorable!"

Mushroom Person

The Mushroom People of the Mushroom Kingdom are surprisingly hilarious in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. With little jokes and witty asides throughout the film, they prove to be a highlight therein. One particularly funny moment comes when Peach declares that she and her people will stop Bowser, to which one wary citizen declares they're far too adorable to fight.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie soars above all other Mario adaptations thanks largely thanks to its design and humor. In this scene, the film points out its terrific character designs for the Toads, who are indeed far too adorable to fight. This funny moment may be quickly forgotten, but it deserves far more praise for its astute observation of the Mushroom People.

15 "I'll Do Anything for My Brother."

Mario (Voiced by Chris Pratt)

In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Mario and Luigi are the most important people to each other. Mario clarifies this when he tells Princess Peach he'll do anything for his brother.

Mario's dedication to his brother is a defining factor of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the franchise, and his character. This line sets up the rest of The Super Mario Bros. Movie's plot and shows that Mario will take on an enemy as brutal as Bowser if it means he can save his brother. Even more heartwarming, Luigi proves willing to return the favor later in the film, protecting his brother from Bowser's wrath.

14 "In an Insane World, It Is the Sane Who Is Called Crazy."

Lumalee (Voiced by Juliet Jelenic)

After Luigi gets kidnapped by Bowser, he is put in a cage with several other creatures. One of these creatures is Lumalee, a blue star with a childish voice and the most gloomy thoughts. When Penguin King suggests Lumalee is a bit out of touch, the latter replies with this hilarious quote.

While he isn't one of the main characters of the Super Mario Bros. Movie, Lumalee has some of the best quotes in the film. Lumalee throws in some philosophical phrases despite the fact The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a movie targeted at children, which is amusing for the adults in the audience.

13 "Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches"

Bowser (Voiced by Jack Black)

Critics have praised The Super Mario Bros.'s soundtrack, and the score's best song is "Peaches," the love ballad Bowser sings about Princess Peach. It's an original song that fans didn't expect a feared villain like Bowser to sing.

Bowser's "Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches" quote in this song shows the Mario villain's softer side and highlights his dedication to Princess Peach. "Peaches" helps explain why Bowser loves Peach without weighing down the movie's dialogue. The tune is incredibly catchy and will be stuck in audiences' heads for days.

12 "The Only Hope Is the Sweet Relief of Death"

Lumalee

Bowser captures many video game characters, including Lumalee, and keeps them in prison. Lumalee has an adorable voice that sounds like a young child, which makes their dark musings about the prison and their fate hilarious. Lumalee is the only character who has no hope for their future.

Lumalee says, "There is no escape. The only hope is the sweet relief of death," which causes the entire prison to erupt in groans and exasperated moans. Lumalee provides an interesting juxtaposition with their appearance and dialogue. It's their dark humor appeals to adult audiences.

11 "Let's a Go!"

Mario

As a video game adaptation, fans expected some of Mario and Luigi's iconic lines to make their way into The Super Mario Bros. Movie. While many of Mario's well-known quips are heard early in the film, his famous line "Let's a Go" appears closer to the movie's end.

How The Super Mario Bros. Movie uses "Let's a Go" changes the meaning behind one of Mario's famous quotes. Instead of "Let's a Go" signaling the beginning of an adventure, it signals the end of the epic journey and the start of the final battle. Hopefully, fans will get to hear Chris Pratt's Mario pronounce this battle cry in many more adventures to come.

10 "I'm About to Rule the World."

Bowser

Even though Bowser knows everyone in the Mushroom Kingdom fears him, he knows Luigi is not of his world. When Bowser says, "Not sure if you know who I am, but I'm about to rule the world," it's clear he is confident he will achieve his goal of being a supreme ruler.

This line perfectly sums up Bowser; he's smart enough to execute his plan and be successful but also self-aware enough to realize that not everyone recognizes him. This line also shows Bowser has a soft spot for Princess Peach but doesn't have mercy for anyone else. Delivered by the endlessly endearing Jack Black, this is one of Bowser's best lines in the film.

9 "Time, Like Hope, Is an Illusion."

Lumalee

After Luigi gets incarcerated with other characters from the Super Mario Bros. franchise, he asks the other characters how long he will have to stay there. To this, Lumalee answers with one of the best quotes in the movie, "time, like hope, is an illusion."

While Lumalee is completely right about this description of time and hope, no one expects such a nihilistic and somber phrase in a children's movie. However, Lumalee addresses the older public in the audience and speaks some iconic lines that no one will forget. Lumalee brings with it a lot of questions, so maybe a sequel will one day shed light on Lumalee's backstory and what's going on throughout the galaxy.

8 "That Is But a Taste of Our Fury."

King Penguin (Voiced by Khary Payton)

King Penguin is the first character to encounter Bowser in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. King Penguin attacks Bowser with snowballs and says, "That is but a taste of our fury. Do you yield?" This line shows the Penguin King's confidence, even when facing Bowser, who easily destroys their kingdom.

King Penguin embodies all the Super Mario characters' confidence and loyalty who all think they can beat Bowser if they stick together. The juxtaposition of King Penguin's serious quote and a childish snowball attack is entertaining for fans of all ages. Thankfully, he and his people survive to help defeat Bowser in the final battle.

7 "That Is How You Princess!"

Toad (Voiced by Keegan-Michael Key)

Toad is one of Princess Peach's biggest supporters and most loyal friends. On Rainbow Road, Toad and Princess Peach race together. After Peach shows off her impressive fighting and driving skills, Toad exclaims, "That is how you princess!"

Toad's line shows a shift in what characteristics define a princess. Peach can do everything the other characters do and still be royalty. While the line is a quick exclamation of support, it also shows that Toad is always cheering on his princess, no matter the challenge.

6 "You Just Got Luigi'd."

Luigi (Voiced by Charlie Day)

Luigi was written poorly in 1993's Super Mario Bros., but The Super Mario Bros. Movie fixes the '90s film's mistake and makes Luigi much more confident. Luigi relies on his brother most of the time, but the movie shows him on his own as a more confident hero. Fans can see this character development when Luigi says, "You just got Luigi'd."

"You just got Luigi'd" is iconic because it gives Luigi a potential catchphrase and shows he can defeat foes and be happy about it. This standout line may be a nod to what Illumination has in mind for Luigi's character in the future.

5 "Not Bad, Mustache."

Princess Peach (Voiced by Anya-Taylor Joy)

The final battle against Bowser took place in the real world. After Bowser gets shrunken with a Mini-Shroom, Mario reminds Peach that he told her he would get her a turtle, making fun of the fact that Bowser is a tiny reptile. In response, Peach praises both Mario's bravery and his witty joke.

Princess Peach and Mario obviously have a romantic chemistry going on throughout The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and this quote is a cute, flirty moment between the two characters. These kinds of dialogue exchanges make people who have followed the franchise for a while swoon over Peach and Mario.

4 "Love Really Makes a Guy Come Out of His Shell."

Bowser

While Bowser from the video games is a serious and hostile dragon with little dialogue, in the Super Mario Bros. Movie, Bowser is depicted more comically. Bowser is completely delusional and believes he has a real chance with Princess Peach even though he's completely evil (much like in the acclaimed Mario Odyssey video game when he tries to marry Peach in a chapel on the moon).

When Peach confronts Bowser, he tries to seduce her with this iconic line from the movie. Seeing Bowser using a pun about his own shell is already funny enough, but Peach's surprised reaction makes it the more hilarious. What's even better is that Bowser complains to Kamek for giving him the absurd dialogue in the first place.

3 "I Will Protect You."

Toad

Toad proved why he's one of the best Mario characters of all time throughout The Super Mario Bros. Movie. When everyone else leaves the Mushroom Kingdom for safety, Toad tells Peach, "I will protect you."

Even though Princess Peach doesn't need protection, Toad wants to show his support for his princess. This line is iconic because it indicates that Toad can be an essential sidekick and more than a screaming toadstool. With Toad acting as Princess Peach's protector, both characters can grow and change their rules in the franchise.

2 "Mamma Mia!"

Mario

"Mamma Mia!" is one of Mario's well-known catchphrases. Fans can hear this catchphrase in the Nintendo video games whenever Mario completes a goal or passes a level. While Mario only says "Mamma Mia!" a few times in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the line is still notewrothy. For long-time fans, hearing this line harkens back to Mario's early days and his adventures.

By fitting this line into The Super Mario Bros. Movie when exciting things happen, audiences know the adventure is about to ramp up. Mario only saying "Mamma Mia!" a handful of times meant the catchphrase was still impactful and entertaining. Fans will never get tired of Mario's classic one-liners, with this one being one of the highlights.

1 "There Is No Sunshine, Only Darkness."

Lumalee

After Luigi has been retained as a prisoner by Bowser for a while, new prisoners arrive, with Cranky Kong among them. Lumalee happily exclaims "Fresh meat for the grinder!" in one of the most hilarious Lumalee quotes in the Super Mario Bros. Movie. To which Cranky Kong sarcastically asks, "Who is this ray of sunshine?"

As per usual when it comes to Lumalee, the creature replies to Cranky Kong's question with a surprisingly gloomy answer. At this point, Lumalee is probably everyone's favorite comic relief character from the Super Mario Bros. Movie, which is funny taking into account they aren't a big character in the franchise.

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8

10

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

PG

Animation

Adventure

Comedy

While working underground to fix a water main, Brooklyn plumbers and brothers Mario and Luigi are transported through a mysterious pipe to a magical new world. But when the siblings are separated, an epic adventure begins.

Release Date

April 5, 2023

Director

Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic

Cast

Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Anya Taylor-Joy, Keegan Michael Key, Seth Rogen

Runtime

92 Minutes