The Ending Of The Super Mario Bros. Movie Explained

Keegan-Michael Key's Toad is a heartwarming presence in "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," Mario's first encounter when he ends up in the Mushroom Kingdom. For parts of the film's early scenes, Toad acts as a guide to Mario on his way to Princess Peach, though Toad is shockingly turned down by her castle guards. Though he appears to be driven, resourceful, and loyal to his princess, the courtesy is not extended back, as it appears. 

That is, until Toad joins Mario and Peach's journey to the Jungle Kingdom, offering her protection, which Peach accepts. Toad mainly rides in the backseat for the adventure, playing the role of comic relief, especially when he creates a monster truck-like kart during their time in the Jungle Kingdom. However, the Rainbow Road sequence doesn't go the Mushroom Kingdom's way, as Bowser's army ambushes and captures the Kong army. 

Toad is quite the unlucky kart racer, as his truck goes over the edge of Rainbow Road, but he's saved by Peach and her motorbike's hang-glider. The two return to the Mushroom Kingdom to evacuate the citizens, but despite Peach's encouragement for him to join the others, Toad makes the choice to stay and protect Peach as best he can, or as Key told IGN, "he's been waiting for an adventure like this his entire life." This time, Peach isn't so eager to turn Toad away, and even agrees to marry Bowser to spare him from torture.