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Comedy musical

Power Ballad (2026): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Power Ballad (2026) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
88%
worldwide gross
$3.8M
Echo Score
70
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Power Ballad (2026) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 38m (98 min)
Director
John Carney
Genres
Comedy , Drama , Music , Musical
Original language
English
Studio
30WEST
Budget
$10M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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.

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Cast & crew

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.

From the director

More from John Carney

More films directed by John Carney, best-rated first: Once, Sing Street, Flora and Son and Begin Again.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

70 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2026 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.8M

38% of its budget back

US & Canada
$2.6M
International
$1.2M
Budget
$10M
US & Canada 69% Rest of the world 31%
Videos

Power Ballad Trailers & Videos

44 videos: 3 trailers, 23 teasers, 2 clips, 14 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 44 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Trailer Official UK and Ireland Trailer
  • Teaser From song to hit.
  • Teaser “Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas rule.”
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. 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?

FAQ

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.

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