Lionsgate is betting on a new action star this weekend as its spinoff film “Ballerina,” starring Ana de Armas, hits theaters. The movie follows the story of Eve Macarro, a dancer turned assassin seeking revenge for her father’s death.
While Keanu Reeves’ iconic portrayal of John Wick has driven the core series to success, “Ballerina” may not replicate those box office numbers. The film is projected to earn $28-30 million in its first weekend from 3,400 North American locations and an additional $30 million internationally.
In contrast, the core “John Wick” franchise has grown in popularity since its 2014 debut, with each subsequent installment outperforming the last. However, “Ballerina” is a separate entity, not directly connected to the main series. The film’s production cost was around $90 million, similar to some of the previous installments.
The movie’s box office prospects are being closely watched, and it faces competition from Disney’s live-action reboot “Lilo & Stitch,” which has been dominating the domestic charts for two consecutive weekends. Meanwhile, Wes Anderson’s espionage saga “The Phoenician Scheme” is expanding its release to 1,500 theaters this weekend.
With summer box office revenues up 25% compared to last year and overall theatrical grosses down 27%, cinema operators are looking to upcoming blockbusters like “Jurassic World Rebirth,” “F1,” and “Fantastic Four: The First Steps” to boost attendance.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/news/ballerina-john-wick-box-office-opening-weekend-projection-lilo-stitch-1236417021