Lionsgate’s latest action-thriller Ballerina, a spin-off from the acclaimed John Wick franchise, is off to a slower-than-expected start at the North American box office. Despite being showcased in 3,409 theatres and led by popular star Ana de Armas, the R-rated film failed to meet initial projections. Forecasts had earlier suggested a strong opening of over $35 million, but current estimates now place the debut in the mid-$20 million range, with the studio holding onto hope for a $30 million weekend.
The film’s Friday earnings—including $3.5 million from Thursday previews—totaled under $11 million, raising concerns among industry insiders. “There’s always concern when a film with great audience reactions doesn’t deliver at the box office,” said one distribution insider. “We need all the wins we can get.”
This sluggish performance is particularly surprising given the strength of the John Wick franchise and de Armas’ rising global profile. While R-rated films typically depend on strong evening and weekend turnout, Ballerina faces stiff competition. Disney’s live-action Lilo and Stitch remake, now in its third weekend, continues to draw steady crowds and may even surpass Ballerina in weekend totals—an unexpected outcome for what is seen as Lionsgate’s flagship franchise.
Ballerina is the fifth installment in the John Wick universe and is set between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023). Directed by Len Wiseman and written by Shay Hatten, the film is marketed as From the World of John Wick: Ballerina. Despite the underwhelming domestic start, studio insiders remain optimistic that strong international numbers and positive word-of-mouth could help the film recover in the coming weeks.
