From the World of John Wick: Ballerina just took a bold step in the expansion of its franchise. With the dynamic Ana de Armas leading the charge as assassin Eve Macarro, the plot revolves around her quest for vengeance against the cult leader, the Chancellor, played by Gabriel Byrne. This film intricately weaves into the John Wick narrative, featuring Keanu Reeves reprising his iconic role to assist Eve in her mission of retribution against the cult. Directed by the seasoned Len Wiseman, known for Live Free or Die Hard, Ballerina debuted to a modest $24 million at the domestic box office, marking it as the second-lowest opening in the franchise’s history.
According to Variety, Ballerina is projected to drop to fourth place in its second weekend. Following a mere $2 million on Friday, it is estimated to garner $8.7 million this weekendâ€â€a staggering 64% decrease from its opening week. Though it is heading toward a domestic total of $41.1 million, the film is on track to surpass the first John Wick movie, which raked in $43 million back in 2014.
What This Milestone Means For Ballerina
It Is Unlikely To Make A Profit
While the prospect of Ballerina overtaking the original John Wick movie sounds promising, it may not be enough to achieve profitability. The film’s steep budget of $90 million presents a significant hurdle. Breaking even will be a challenge, especially since Lionsgate typically reaps its revenue through international pre-sales. Realistically, the spinoff is unlikely to reach the $225 million threshold needed for profitability, especially after considering marketing costs and theater cuts. A total of $41 million by its sophomore weekend does little to aid its progress toward that goal.
Movies | Domestic Total |
|---|---|
John Wick (2014) | $43 million |
John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) | $92 million |
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) | $171 million |
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) | $187 million |
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (2025) | $41 million* |
Ultimately, Ballerina struggles even when compared to the first John Wick (2014). Adjusting for inflation, the original film earned an estimated $59 million, leaving the latest installment with significant ground to cover. Hurdles remain for Ballerina in reaching Chapter 2‘s $92 million total, not to mention other films in the franchise. Unlike many post-2020 releases that can blame a shaky box office on the post-pandemic climate, Ballerina falters against the recent success of Chapter 4‘s impressive $187 million haul.
Our Take On Ballerina’s New Milestone
Streaming Could Still Save Ballerina
Despite the underwhelming box office figures, it’s important to note that films today aren’t solely evaluated based on their theatrical performance. From the World of John Wick: Ballerina has an opportunity for rejuvenation as it gears up for its streaming debut on Starz, likely scheduled for November, accompanied by a digital release over the summer. The dynamics of streaming could allow Lionsgate to recover from the film’s disappointing box office performance, ushering in potential success even if a sequel never materializes.
Source: Variety