Ballerina Underperforms, Raising Questions for John Wick Franchise

LOS ANGELES, CA — The John Wick universe faces a setback as the spin-off film “Ballerina,” featuring Ana de Armas, is projected to open with only $25 million at the domestic box office. This disappointing figure comes in stark contrast to its $90 million production budget and optimistic expectations for the film.

The lackluster performance appears to stem from multiple missteps in the film’s promotion. One major concern was Lionsgate‘s decision to impose a late review embargo, which many believe contributed to a perception of the film as subpar. The embargo lifted just a day before the previews began, prompting critics to question the studio’s confidence in the movie.

An industry source expressed frustration over the situation, stating, “If their exits were so great, why the hell was the review embargo lifted so late?” Despite this, early audience reactions have been relatively positive, with a CinemaScore rating of A-, suggesting that those who did see it enjoyed the film, especially its explosive third act.

However, critics highlight that “Ballerina” faced inherent challenges as a female-led spin-off without the franchise’s anchor, Keanu Reeves. The absence of his character in a significant role likely made it difficult to attract the same audience that propelled the earlier films to success.

The muted opening has caused Lionsgate to reconsider its plans for further expansion within the John Wick universe, including the planned series “The Continental” on Peacock. With the franchise’s future now uncertain, the debut of “Ballerina” illustrates a vital lesson for modern franchise filmmaking: spin-offs must not only rely on brand recognition but also have a compelling narrative.