Power Ballad

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1:48

Power Ballad

R

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1h 38m

Comedy

Drama

Music

Musical

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

127 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

100+ 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.

Critics Consensus

Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas prove to be harmonious screen partners in Power Ballad, a mellow dramedy that acknowledges the allure and pitfalls of stardom with equal measures of grace.

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Adam Graham

Detroit News

10m

C

It's a quick pass at a pop song, but not one of Carney's greatest hits. Consider it a B-side, only for the superfans.

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Radheyan Simonpillai

Globe and Mail

20h

Power Ballad’s just a cute pivot for Carney, who spins cynicism around what the music industry is today into yet another crowd-pleaser, a lightweight Richard Curtis-grade comedy as superficial as the generic pop tunes the movie gently criticizes.

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Katie Walsh

Tribune News Service

1d

2.5/4

"Power Ballad" is so light, it feels like it might blow away with a puff of wind. The beat goes on, but this one just doesn’t have the staying power of Carney’s other hits.

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Lindsey Romain

MovieJawn

14m

"Goes down easy" is probably the best way to describe Power Ballad. Nothing much to complain about, but nothing much to remember, either. Which isn’t the worst thing.

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

41m

It will make you feel good. A good story with a good song

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Alex Bentley

CultureMap

2h

While Power Ballad has all the hallmarks of another great Carney music movie, it’s missing a few pieces that could have put it over the top.

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Olga

16h

A good warm lamp movie, with happy end / justice prevailed. Some comic gags along. Will definitely appeal to Paul Rudd's and Nick Jonas' fans. Duration just around 1.5 hr long is also a big bonus :) .

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Patrick O

19h

John Carney fans will like this movie — good music, good performances, good story. Not our personal favorite of his movies, but still a worthwhile watch.

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Ghederick Eshmont

19h

John Carney’s films are all amazing, Power Ballad fits right in his saga of music & life’s journey

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mark c

21h

A funny coming of age comedy, Paul Rudd is hilarious in this and the cast is incredible

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Song T

21h

I really liked this movie more than I thought it would. The small twist at the end got to my heart strings.

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See A Lot

5d

A very good and enjoyable movie

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John Carney

Director

Paul Rudd

Rick

Nick Jonas

Danny

Jack Reynor

Mac

Havana Rose Liu

Marcia

Rory Keenan

Binzer

Power Ballad: Movie Clip - That's My Song

0:46

Power Ballad: Movie Clip - We Could Finish This

0:49

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Power Ballad: Exclusive Featurette - Meet Rick

0:44

Power Ballad: Trailer 2

1:48

Power Ballad: Trailer 1

1:15

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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: Screen Ireland, Likely Story, Treasure Entertainment, Distressed Films, 30West
Rating: R (Some Drug Use|Language Throughout)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music, Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 5, 2026, Wide
Runtime: 1h 38m