Power Ballad (2026): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Power Ballad is a 2026 comedy musical directed by John Carney, starring Paul Rudd as Rick, Nick Jonas and Marcella Plunkett. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $3.8 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- John Carney
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- 30WEST
- Budget
- $10M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Power Ballad About?
The premise of Power Ballad without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
When Rick (Paul Rudd), a past‑its‑prime wedding singer, meets fading boy‑band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig, the two quickly bond over music and a late‑night jam session. However, after Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into a hit that revives his career, Rick becomes determined to reclaim the recognition he feels he deserves, even if it means jeopardising his friendship and everything else.
Power Ballad Cast & Characters
Paul Rudd leads the cast as Rick, with Nick Jonas as Danny and Marcella Plunkett as Rachel. Directed by John Carney; 20 actors are credited in all.
-
Director John Carney
-
Paul Rudd as Rick -
Nick Jonas as Danny - Marcella Plunkett as Rachel
- Beth Fallon as Aja
Also Starring in Power Ballad
· 16 more- Rory Keenan Binzer
- Havana Rose Liu Marcia
- Jack Reynor Mac
- Peter McDonald Sandy
- Paul Reid Bernard
- Kelly Thornton Linda
- Sophie Vavasseur Amanda
- Amy Huberman Ms. Carney
- Keith McErlean Kyle
- Robert Mitchell George
- Juliette Crosbie Barbara
- Naoimh Whelton Laura
- Emma Rose Creaner Claire
- Isa Mooney MTV Host
- Mae Higgins Elaine
- Caelum Frazer
More from John Carney
More films directed by John Carney, best-rated first: Once, Sing Street, Flora and Son and Begin Again.
Power Ballad Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Power Ballad 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in character & emotion (78) and weakest in story & flow (60).
Power Ballad Echo Score Breakdown
Power Ballad delivers a pleasant, music‑centered experience that leans on familiar John Carney formulas. The film’s modest craftsmanship, likable performances, and tuneful soundtrack create an accessible narrative, though its thematic depth and narrative ambition remain limited. While critics note its lightness and occasional lack of staying power, audience reactions highlight its charm and repeatability. Consequently, the movie offers enjoyable but unremarkable entertainment.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 70
In terms of direction and visual execution, Power Ballad maintains a competent but unadventurous style. Carney’s seasoned hand provides steady pacing and clean editing, yet the cinematography stays within conventional palettes without notable distinction. Production design supports the music‑industry setting adequately. Overall, the craftsmanship is solid, delivering a reliable framework without pushing artistic boundaries.
- Character & Emotion 78
When evaluating character work, the leads deliver engaging performances that anchor the film’s charm. Paul Rudd’s nuanced humor and Nick Jonas’s earnest turn generate credible chemistry, while supporting actors add modest depth. However, some secondary figures lack distinct personalities, and emotional resonance occasionally feels surface‑level. In sum, the acting is appealing and largely effective despite limited depth.
- Story & Flow 60
Regarding narrative structure, Power Ballad presents a straightforward, feel‑good plot that prioritizes musical moments over complex storytelling. The premise is familiar, and pacing remains measured, yet the film rarely ventures into original territory. Themes hinted at—celebrity precarity, creative collaboration—are lightly touched but not fully explored, resulting in an entertaining yet conventional story.
- Sensory Experience 70
In terms of sensory experience, the soundtrack functions as the film’s core driver, offering catchy tunes that complement the narrative rhythm. Sound design is clear, allowing musical performances to stand out, though visual styling remains modest with a restrained color scheme. The overall sensory package is pleasant and serviceable, reinforcing the film’s lighthearted tone without achieving heightened artistic impact.
- Rewatch Factor 73
When assessing rewatch potential, Power Ballad’s melodic emphasis and affable characters encourage repeat viewings, especially for audiences fond of music‑centric comedies. Critics note its crowd‑pleasing nature but also remark on limited lasting resonance, suggesting a moderate replay value. Audience feedback highlights eagerness to revisit the film, indicating a solid, if not exceptional, rewatch factor.
-
IMDb 6.7 /10
8498 votes
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 88% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 84%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 67 Metascore
User score 6.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 71% User score
See on TMDB
Power Ballad Plot Summary
What happens in Power Ballad from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
American Rick Power lives in Ireland with his Irish wife Rachel and their teenage daughter Aja. In his younger days, he was part of a band that found some success in the late 80s with a group called Octagon, but these days he makes a living as the lead singer for a wedding band. The movie opens with Rick and his mates performing at a small wedding; he secretly hopes for a stadium-size moment, but the crowd’s energy doesn’t match his dreams. When he breaks from the set to perform one of his old originals, the guests grow restless, and his bandmate Binzer reminds him that they aren’t there to be rock stars.
Full summary
The whole story of Power Ballad, scene by scene
Power Ballad Box Office & Budget
Power Ballad grossed $3.8 million worldwide on a $10 million budget, 38% of what it cost. $2.6 million came from the US and Canada and $1.2 million (31%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$3.8M
38% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $2.6M
- International
- $1.2M
- Budget
- $10M
Power Ballad Trailers & Videos
44 videos: 3 trailers, 23 teasers, 2 clips, 14 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Trailer Official Trailer 2
- Trailer Official UK and Ireland Trailer
- Teaser From song to hit.
- Teaser “Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas rule.”
How Well Do You Know Power Ballad?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What was the name of the band Rick was part of during his younger days in the late 80s?
Seen Power Ballad?
Articles About Power Ballad
Our article about Power Ballad: “Power Ballad (2026) Review, Opinions & Reception – Critics, Fans, and Performance Analysis”.
-
Opinions
Power Ballad FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Power Ballad, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Power Ballad?
Power Ballad runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was Power Ballad released?
Power Ballad was released on May 29, 2026.
Who directed Power Ballad?
Power Ballad was directed by John Carney.
More films by John Carney Who is in the cast of Power Ballad?
Power Ballad stars Paul Rudd as Rick, Nick Jonas as Danny and Marcella Plunkett as Rachel, among 20 credited actors.
How much did Power Ballad make at the box office?
Power Ballad grossed $3.8 million worldwide ($2.6 million domestic, $1.2 million international) on a budget of $10 million.
How is Power Ballad rated?
Power Ballad has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.
Does Power Ballad have a post-credit scene?
No. Power Ballad has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
