“From the World of John Wick: Ballerina” has crossed a significant benchmark, becoming the second spinoff in the franchise to come close to the original film’s domestic earnings. Led by Cuban and Spanish actress Ana de Armas, the movie follows assassin Eve Macarro as she seeks revenge on a cult leader known as the Chancellor, played by Gabriel Byrne. Keanu Reeves reprises his role as John Wick to support Eve’s journey. Directed by Len Wiseman, “Ballerina” opened to a modest $24 million at the domestic box office.
Box Office Decline in Second Weekend
Despite its connection to the John Wick universe, Ballerina is experiencing a steep box office drop. Variety reports the film is expected to fall to fourth place during its second weekend with a projected $8.7 million haul—a 64% decline from opening weekend. The movie has earned approximately $41.1 million domestically, inching close to the first John Wick, which made $43 million in 2014.
What the Numbers Really Mean
Though it’s nearing the original film’s total, Ballerina is far from profitable. With a $90 million production budget, plus marketing costs and theater cuts, it would need to hit $225 million globally to break even. Lionsgate may recoup some of its investment through international pre-sales, but based on current trends, the spinoff is unlikely to reach those numbers.
Still Behind Franchise Peers
When adjusted for inflation, “John Wick” (2014) earned $59 million, so “Ballerina” still lags behind. It’s also far from reaching “John Wick: Chapter 2″’s $92 million or Chapter 4’s $187 million total. Unlike other post-pandemic films, Ballerina can’t rely on external factors to explain its lackluster performance.
Hope Remains in Streaming Release
Despite its box office struggles, “Ballerina” may find redemption through streaming. The film will debut on Starz later this year, with a digital release expected over the summer. Its performance on streaming platforms could influence future decisions for the franchise, even if a sequel isn’t guaranteed.
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