‘Ballerina’ Opens Modestly Despite Strong Reviews and Franchise Ties

Lionsgate’s John Wick spinoff ‘Ballerina’, starring Ana de Armas, opened to an estimated $25.5M–$27.5M, a modest figure despite positive reception. The film received an A- CinemaScore and a strong 93% Rotten Tomatoes audience score, outperforming previous female-led action films like ‘Furiosa’ and ‘Alita: Battle Angel’. However, its performance fell short of early tracking estimates, which projected a $30M+ debut. Analysts point to several factors: Keanu Reeves’ limited presence, a late review embargo, competition from ‘Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning’ and Disney’s ongoing hit ‘Lilo & Stitch’, and a sense of franchise fatigue for “girl-with-a-gun” action tropes. Lionsgate heavily promoted the film with a $45M domestic marketing budget and over two dozen posters, aiming to expand the John Wick universe. While reviews were solid and fan sentiment largely positive, audiences may not have found the spinoff distinct enough. Despite this, ‘Ballerina’ still managed to post higher opening numbers than some previous genre entries and contributed to a stronger overall box office weekend. The film’s broader impact may lie in its role building out the franchise, rather than headline-breaking ticket sales.