Ballerina Opens Strong at $10.6 Million as Stitch Takes the Lead

Box Office Results for ‘Ballerina’

Lionsgate’s first attempt to extend the “John Wick” franchise with “Ballerina,” starring Ana de Armas, earned $10.65 million during its opening Friday and preview screenings across 3,409 locations.

Performance Compared to Projections

The film is currently trending slightly below earlier forecasts, expected to open between $25.5 million and $27.5 million, which is lower than the predicted $28 million. Its opening day earnings mark the second-lowest in the franchise, trailing “John Wick: Chapter 2” from 2017, which brought in $10.96 million.

Context for Slowdown

While a decline in expected revenue for “Ballerina” is not surprising—given that it rebrands the R-rated action series, with Keanu Reeves taking on a smaller role—it’s a notable drop from the franchise’s growth trajectory. The original “John Wick” opened with $43 million in 2014, eventually leading to a blockbuster fourth film that grossed $187 million in North America. Notably, “Ballerina” had a budget of $90 million, close to “Chapter 4’s” $100 million, and Lionsgate often mitigates financial risk through foreign pre-sales.

Future Plans for the Franchise

Lionsgate aims to further develop the “John Wick” universe, with plans for a fifth main installment featuring Reeves, an animated prequel, and a spin-off directed by and starring Donnie Yen, who excelled in “Chapter 4.”

Audience and Critical Reception

Initial reviews for the Len Wiseman-directed “Ballerina” have been favorable. Audience reactions are even more positive, as indicated by CinemaScore, which reported a solid “A-” grade. It remains to be seen whether strong word-of-mouth will positively impact the film’s opening weekend totals.

Comparison with Other Releases

“Ballerina” is unlikely to overtake Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch,” which is set for its third weekend in the top spot. The live-action adaptation pulled in $9.3 million on Friday, down 45% from the prior week, and is expected to surpass $33 million in its third frame, with a domestic total projected to exceed $335 million by Sunday.

Additional Releases and Box Office Insights

Focus Features’ “The Phoenician Scheme,” which expanded to 1,678 theaters after a limited debut, made $2.55 million on Friday, aiming for a three-day total of $5.8 million. Meanwhile, “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” earned $4 million, with projections of $14.8 million, up from its prior outings, while “Karate Kid: Legends” and “Final Destination: Bloodlines” continue to draw, albeit with diminishing returns.