Box Office Update: Ballerina Faces Challenges in US-Canada, Looks to International Markets for Support

Ana de Armas stars in Ballerina, a John Wick universe spin-off, which is struggling to gain traction at the US-Canada box office despite positive reviews. The film grossed just over $32 million (₹276 crore) in its opening week domestically. While this might seem decent on the surface, it falls short considering the hefty $90 million production budget and an additional $50 million spent on marketing. Experts estimate the movie needs to reach around $200 million globally to break even theatrically.

With strong competition expected in the coming weeks, Ballerina may only manage about $70 million from the North American market. Therefore, the film’s prospects now largely depend on international box office performance.

Globally, the movie has earned approximately $60 million after its first week. Thanks to releases in new territories this weekend, Ballerina could reach around $90 million worldwide by week’s end. Its future earnings will determine whether it settles near $150 million or pushes toward the $200 million mark.

Given its association with the John Wick franchise and the presence of Keanu Reeves reprising his iconic role, Ballerina was expected to have a stronger opening. Coupled with favorable reviews, this could have boosted its chances to cross $200 million easily.

Despite the theatrical challenges, the film’s connection to a well-established IP and its loyal fanbase could ensure strong digital sales and streaming success, helping the studio recoup its investment over time.

The decision to greenlight more Ballerina sequels will hinge on how well the film performs in the coming weeks. This situation also underscores a key lesson: rave reviews alone don’t guarantee box office success. Spin-offs need to generate excitement early on, and simply being linked to a popular franchise may no longer be sufficient to draw wide audiences.