A film hailed as ‘one of the best movies ever’, based on a cherished franchise that recently marked its 40th anniversary, is now available for free streaming in anticipation of its eagerly awaited sequel.

The family-friendly Super Mario Bros Movie has been added to ITVX at no additional charge, allowing an even wider audience to enjoy the film since its 2023 cinema debut without needing a premium subscription.

This animated rendition of the Super Mario Bros series brings to life many beloved characters. The film pays homage to various classic Mario games, from his platforming roots to the wildly popular Mario Kart racing series.

Yet it also puts a fresh spin on the characters, expanding the Mario family and offering a unique interpretation of how the famous brothers journey from New York to the Mushroom Kingdom.

As per the film’s synopsis, while repairing a water main underground, Brooklyn plumbers and brothers Mario and Luigi are whisked away through a mysterious pipe to a magical new world. When the brothers are separated, a grand adventure ensues.

The film boasts a star-studded voice cast, with Guardians of the Galaxy’s Chris Pratt lending his voice to Mario. Charlie Day of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia fame voices Luigi, while Jack Black portrays Bowser.

Anya Taylor Joy voices Princess Peach, comedian Keegan Michael Key plays Toad, and Seth Rogen features as Donkey Kong , reports the Mirror.

This collaborative effort brings together Nintendo, the powerhouse behind the Super Mario franchise, and Illumination, the animation studio responsible for hits like Despicable Me, Minions and The Secret Life of Pets. The partnership is set to continue with the upcoming sequel Super Mario Galaxy Movie, anticipated to arrive later this year.

Whilst critics were somewhat lukewarm, awarding it just a 59% score on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences embraced it wholeheartedly. The fan rating, or popcornmeter score, boasts an impressive 95%.

Enthusiasts have lauded it as one of the finest video game adaptations to grace cinema screens. One viewer declared: “THIS is how you make an AWESOME video game movie. Here, they actually do the video games justice with STUNNING animation and a lot of fun easter eggs and references that Mario fanatics can pick up on. Overall, I think this is by far my favourite video game movie!”.

Another fan concurred: “This is both Illumination’s best movie ever made but also the best video game movie adaptation of all-time. I love it so much!”.

Echoing these sentiments, a third viewer remarked: “Best adaptation of the Super Mario Bros franchise, it nails the looks, the feels, everything that makes Super Mario Bros special and all the Easter eggs and references to the games made it even better the cast is stellar in my opinion and it stumbled a little bit but not enough to hurt it too much.”

One viewer’s assessment read: “The Mario Bros. movie is an absolute masterpiece, a delightful homage to one of the most beloved franchises in gaming history. From the moment it started, I was completely hooked, and by the end, I was left in awe. The animation is stunning, bringing the Mushroom Kingdom, Bowser’s castle, and every pixel-perfect detail to life in vivid, jaw-dropping ways.”

They went on: “The characters are spot-on, with Mario and Luigi stealing hearts with their charm, courage, and brotherly bond. Bowser? He’s a menacing yet hilarious villain you can’t help but love. The story is fast-paced and engaging, packed with humor, action, and a sprinkle of heartfelt moments. The creators did an incredible job weaving in references that fans of the games will adore-power-ups, sound effects, and even the music hit all the right nostalgic notes.”

Super Mario Bros Movie is streaming on ITVX. Super Mario Galaxy Movie is in cinemas April 3. For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.