The recent success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie reminds many that Nintendo’s famous plumbers have a long history on the big screen. However, before the animated blockbuster, there was a live-action adaptation in 1993 starring John Leguizamo, Bob Hoskins, and Dennis Hopper – a film Nintendo has effectively buried, making it nearly impossible to stream legally.
The Film That Time Forgot
Released in 1993, the Super Mario Bros. movie was a critical and commercial failure. Despite a star-studded cast, the film deviated wildly from the source material, introducing a bizarre cyberpunk setting called “Dinohattan” where humans coexisted with evolved dinosaurs. The plot centered on Mario and Luigi as plumbers battling President Koopa to rescue Princess Daisy from this strange alternate dimension.
Why is it unavailable? Nintendo holds the rights to the Mario franchise, and the company has deliberately withheld streaming licenses. This is likely a strategic move to avoid confusion with the new animated film and distance itself from a production universally considered an embarrassment.
How to Watch (If You Really Want To)
Legal options are limited. The film isn’t available on major streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. However, a 30th-anniversary Blu-ray was released in 2023 and can still be purchased through third-party sellers on Amazon and Walmart. Used VHS copies exist but can cost upwards of $200. A more practical approach is to check your local library: many branches still carry DVDs and Blu-rays.
The Making of a Disaster
The film’s failure wasn’t just about poor reception; it was a chaotic production. The script underwent constant rewrites, even weeks before filming, as the writers lacked familiarity with the Mario games. Directors Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel, hired shortly before production, were equally unfamiliar with the source material. Their attempt to create a “dark” and mature story alienated fans and studio executives alike.
Bob Hoskins, who played Mario, famously called the experience a “nightmare,” and co-star John Leguizamo reportedly took shots between scenes to cope with the disastrous production. The film cost $48 million to produce but grossed only $38 million, cementing its status as a cinematic failure.
Licensing Issues and Nintendo’s Control
The original film’s distribution rights were entangled with now-defunct studios like Hollywood Pictures and Buena Vista. With Disney’s ownership of those companies fading, Nintendo now has complete control over the franchise. The company’s 2015 licensing deal with Universal for theme parks and movies further cemented its ability to dictate how the Mario brand is presented.
Nintendo’s decision to bury the 1993 film is a clear demonstration of its control over its intellectual property and a deliberate effort to erase an embarrassing chapter in its cinematic history.
In the end, the 1993 Super Mario Bros. movie remains a cautionary tale – a relic of a failed experiment that Nintendo would rather forget. The film’s unavailability serves as a reminder that even iconic franchises can’t escape the consequences of poor execution and bad decisions.
