The latest trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) finally dropped the first look at Yoshi. Yoshi made his first appearance in Nintendo’s Mario franchise in the video game Super Mario World (1990). Ever since then, he has been a staple in the franchise, serving as Mario’s trusty dinosaur companion. It’s impossible not to love his jolly personality and cute appearance. He’s also one of the best characters to play due to his handy flutter kicks and ability to eat enemies.
Hence, he’s one of the most anticipated characters for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. However, this isn’t the first time he has appeared on the big or small screen. Use our guide to find out where you can catch all of Yoshi’s TV and movie appearances before his arrival in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Super Mario World (1991)
Shortly after his video game debut, Yoshi made his small-screen debut in the animated series Super Mario World. In the show, Yoshi is a main character, accompanying Mario (Walker Boone) and Luigi (Tony Rosato) on their adventure as they battle the scheming King Koopa (Harvey Atkin). The series really capitalized on how cute Yoshi is and his special bond with Mario and Luigi. One of the most popular episodes is a flashback to Luigi and Yoshi meeting, where Luigi becomes “Mama Luigi” to the baby Yoshi. Honestly, there’s nothing cuter than baby Yoshi’s design.
Super Mario World, like the Mario games of the 1990s, evokes strong nostalgia and charm. It’s goofy and wholesome, and viewers will appreciate that many of the actors from The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 (1990) return to their roles. The only downfall is that Toad is surprisingly absent, but if you’re here for Yoshi, you’ll get exactly what you’re looking for.
Super Mario Bros. (1993)
Super Mario Bros. features Yoshi (Frank Weller), though you may not recognize him at first glance. The film features the only live-action depiction of the character, and he looks like a little Velociraptor, portrayed by a lifelike dinosaur animatronic. In Super Mario Bros., Yoshi is a pet of the Koopa family, but decides to switch sides to help rescue Princess Daisy (Samantha Mathis). Not everything in the film translated well to live-action, but Yoshi certainly did. It’s a truly adorable design, and he boasts more heart and bravery than most characters in the movie.
Although Super Mario Bros. struggles to convey the charm of the video games, it has its own merits. Like A Minecraft Movie (2025) and The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), it boasts a simplistic premise and is loads of fun if you’re not expecting anything too sophisticated. Plus, it has one of the best on-screen appearances from Yoshi.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is one of the best adaptations of Mario, though it doesn’t feature a whole lot of Yoshi. In the Jungle Kingdom scene, you’ll catch a glimpse of wild Yoshis running about. However, Yoshi gets a post-credits scene dedicated to him. The scene surveys the damage left behind from the movie’s final battle and reveals a single egg with green spots among the carnage. As it begins to hatch, the screen fades to black, and you hear a familiar voice say, “Yoshi!”
The Super Mario Bros. Movie mainly teases Yoshi’s appearance in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and I really like that he’s getting the special appearance treatment. The film recognizes Yoshi’s popularity and gives fans just enough to get excited for his future appearances. Additionally, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a beautiful animated rendition of the Mario universe and sets up the perfect, wholesome, lighthearted, and vibrant environment for Yoshi to thrive.
