Despite a shaky start, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is steadily making its mark at the box office. This fifth installment of the John Wick franchise follows ballerina Eve Macarro, portrayed by Ana de Armas, who embarks on a quest for vengeance against the cult responsible for her father’s death. Once again, Keanu Reeves steps into the iconic role of John Wick, aiding Eve in her battle against nefarious forces.
Ballerina is the first theatrical spin-off in the franchise’s history, following the TV show The Continental. Lionsgate aims to expand the assassin universe without requiring Wick to appear in every endeavor. Ballerina serves as a glimpse into this broader world and its implications.
Reports from Deadline indicate that the film is projected to earn $2 million in its fourth weekend, reflecting a 55% decline from the previous week. Nonetheless, it is anticipated to surpass $55 million this weekend, making it the 44th highest-grossing film in Lionsgate’s domestic box office history.
What This Milestone Means For Ballerina
It Will Still Not Be Profitable
While these figures are encouraging, they do not necessarily lend themselves to the movie’s profitability. Although Lionsgate often garners substantial revenue through licensing international distributions, Ballerina carries a hefty $90 million budget. This suggests that the film is likely to fall short of breaking even.
Lionsgate had initially slated Ballerina for a 2024 release, pushing its premiere back by a year. If this film were an experiment to gauge the franchise’s strength without Reeves, it might not meet expectations. His captivating performances traditionally draw audiences to theaters, and his comparatively minor role in this film may not suffice to bring in a full house. This fuels speculation surrounding a possible John Wick 5, as Reeves has been somewhat ambiguous in his responses.
Despite uncertainties revolving around the John Wick saga, Ballerina continues its ascent on Lionsgate’s domestic charts. It has already eclipsed notable films like Madea’s Big Happy Family (2011) and 3:10 to Yuma (2007) and is poised to surpass Saw (2004) and Saw V (2008) shortly. While the spinoff has not entirely satisfied, it still marks significant milestones.
Our Take On Ballerina’s Box Office Milestone
It Deserves Even More
The reality, however, is that Ballerina struggles to meet the high bar set by Reeves’ iconic franchise. While it’s packed with action, ScreenRant‘s Rachel Labonte observed that it lacks “the polish” yet retains “the same exhilarating feeling as the main John Wick movies“. Given that, it genuinely deserves to succeed, matching the adrenaline and energy fans expect.
There’s still hope for From the World of John Wick: Ballerina in the streaming world, with anticipation surrounding its potential digital release slated for July 1. Yet, without confirmation from Lionsgate, this lingering doubt could shape its legacy as a film that, while enjoyable, faces an uncertain future.
Source: Deadline