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Power Ballad

Play trailer 1:48 Poster for Power Ballad R In Theaters Jun 5 1h 38m Comedy Musical Play Trailer Watchlist
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87% Tomatometer 30 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Verified Ratings
When Rick (Paul Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick's songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves -- even if it means risking everything he cares about. From writer-director John Carney (Sing Street, Once), POWER BALLAD is a feel-good story about music, self-respect, friendship, and the price of ambition.

Cast & Crew

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John Carney

Director

Paul Rudd

Rick

Nick Jonas

Danny

Jack Reynor

Mac

Havana Rose Liu

Marcia

Rory Keenan

Binzer

Critics Reviews

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Tim Grierson Screen International 2d
Power Ballad invents implausible scenarios to bring the men together, resulting in a showdown that is not nearly as illuminating or cathartic as Carney assumes. Go to Full Review Chris Barsanti Slant Magazine Apr 21
2/4
Like the fraught relationship between its two musician characters, the film never finds the right groove. Go to Full Review Zachary Lee RogerEbert.com Mar 19
3.5/4
It reminds us that there’s a difference between knowing lyrics in your head and treasuring a song in your heart. Go to Full Review Robert Kojder Flickering Myth 1d
3.5/5
There are genuinely subversive qualities in how this story unfolds, where it goes, and where it ultimately ends up, not to mention another winning tone from John Carney at the center Go to Full Review Joshua Mbonu InSession Film 2d
B
Power Ballad, simply put, is a plain crowdpleaser through and through, which ends up working both for and against it. Go to Full Review Nick Johnston Vanyaland Apr 30
A Carney movie much like all the other Carney films, only that it has a real stinker of a faux-pop song at its core that makes it hard to take seriously and makes it hard for Carney to strike an appropriate tonal balance. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
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Power Ballad

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Power Ballad

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Movie Info

Synopsis When Rick (Paul Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick's songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves -- even if it means risking everything he cares about. From writer-director John Carney (Sing Street, Once), POWER BALLAD is a feel-good story about music, self-respect, friendship, and the price of ambition.
Director
John Carney
Producer
Anthony Bregman, John Carney, Peter Cron, Rebecca O'Flanagan, Robert Walpole
Screenwriter
Peter McDonald, John Carney
Distributor
Lionsgate
Production Co
Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland, Likely Story, 30West, Treasure Entertainment
Rating
R (Language Throughout|Some Drug Use)
Genre
Comedy, Musical
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 5, 2026, Wide
Runtime
1h 38m