Jack Black and the rest of the The Super Mario Galaxy Movie cast debuted a new song that wasn’t used in the film. In a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the actor, dressed as the Koopa King, strummed his guitar and performed “The Ballad of Mario.” Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Brie Larson, Charlie Day, Glen Powell and Donald Glover provided backup vocals.
The Ballad of @supermariomovie w/ The Cast of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie 🚀 #FallonTonight #SuperMarioGalaxyMovie pic.twitter.com/rs4eXvYmHI
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) April 2, 2026
The new Mario film, which opened April 1, is scoring well with audiences despite—or perhaps in defiance of— overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics. IGN used the release of the new song to take another jab at the film, suggesting it might have been better off including it.
Still, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is shattering early box office projections and setting new records. This latest marketing nudge from Jack Black and company is unlikely to slow that momentum—and may even help, especially as word of mouth continues to build.
A Missed Opportunity
Jack Black’s song for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, “Peaches,” was a hit. The power ballad for his character, Bowser, marked Black’s first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100. It was certified Platinum in 2023—representing over 1 million units sold in the U.S.—and received numerous award nominations.
Mario, Princess Peach, and Toad in Nintendo and Illumination’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie
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Given the success of “Peaches,” the decision not to include a follow-up is somewhat surprising. While The Super Mario Galaxy Movie features several montages, it doesn’t include any full musical numbers. That said, adding Black’s new ballad would have stretched the film’s already tight 98-minute runtime.
Some fans have suggested the song could have been used over the end credits, making its absence feel like a missed opportunity.
A Simple Song
Lyrically, Jack Black’s new Mario song may not be terribly remarkable. The first verse is: “There once was a man named Mario, yes you know who I mean. He had a brother Luigi, who was always wearing green. There was also Princess Peach, who made my heart explode. But they defeated me with the help of a tiny little mushroom man named Toad.”
Like the film itself, the song is simple. Yet, also like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the song is fun. The video put together for The Tonight Show suggests that the rest of the cast agrees, leaning fully into the bit.
Doing Its Job
A third Super Mario movie has yet to be announced. However, with the undeniable success of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, more installments feel less like a possibility and more like a given. If this latest song from Jack Black catches on the way “Peaches” did, Bowser may be poised for another musical moment next time around.
Yoshi, Toad, and Baby Mario and Luigi in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie Trailer – YouTube, Nintendo of America
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Ultimately, the energy surrounding a new release can matter just as much as what ends up on screen. The Mario franchise doesn’t exactly need the extra push, but moments like the cast’s appearance on The Tonight Show help sustain that momentum. Whether or not the song made the final cut, it’s already doing its job—keeping audiences engaged and the spotlight firmly on what makes the new film fun, accessible, and easy to return to.
What do you think of Jack Black’s song? Should it have been used in the movie? Sound off in the comments!
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