Power Ballad

Play trailer

1:48

Power Ballad

R

Jun 2026

1h 38m

Comedy

Drama

Music

Musical

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

184 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

250+ 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.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Audience Says

Amplified by Paul Rudd’s endlessly rewatchable performance, Power Ballad may follow a by-the-notes script but ultimately hits the right chords where it counts.

Read Audience Reviews

Sam Davies

Sight & Sound

1d

Rudd lends a level of charisma and a paradoxically grizzled youthfulness that make Rick’s ambitions and idealism seem plausible.

Go to Full Review

Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

Jun 21

4/5

You never doubt the sincerity of Carney’s movies and the earnestness of their emotions. But all of that crumbles if the music doesn’t deliver.

Go to Full Review

Ty Burr

Ty Burr's Watch List (Substack)

Jun 15

3/4

Somehow, Carney has it both ways with the ending, giving Rick the resolution he doubtless would have in real life – and the graciousness to accept it – while giving the audience what they want as well. I was perversely impressed by that.

Go to Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

3d

3.5/4

The big surprise is that Power Ballad is not just a dude's movie. Without giving too much away, it turns into a delightful father-daughter story as well. It's a gem, a fine addition to any playlist.

Go to Full Review

Dionar Hidalgo

Algo Más Que Cine

3d

8/10

John Carney delivers another heartfelt crowd-pleaser. Powered by a wonderfully warm Paul Rudd performance, Power Ballad turns a story about a stolen song into a touching reflection on friendship, failure and what success really means.

Go to Full Review

John Stark

Mac the Movie Guy

Jul 6

84/100

It may not be John carney’s greatest hit, but not every song on the album needs to be the single. Sometimes you just want something catchy enough that you’re still humming it on the way home. power Ballad does that.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Martin

1d

If you know anything about the music business, some portions of this film really track. Entertaining film with scenes that will illicit pure joy for music lovers.

See more

Greg

Jun 23

Could have been so much better. Too much “I did”. Then “We don’t remember”. Over and over again. Best character was his best friend. Always had his back. Always believed him. Everyone should have someone like that in their life.

See more

Derek Allen

Jun 18

Didn’t know if you wanted to be a comedy or musical, but I felt like Paul Rudd could’ve had a better ending with that song situation and it kind of felt like it. I felt like a cliché watching it.

See more

Max T

Jun 18

The first feel-good movie I’ve seen this year!

See more

Brad Lane

Jun 18

It was a great movie! I loved the ending.

See more

Big Fish F

Jun 17

Sweet movie with a “make it all worthwhile“ ending.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

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

View more videos

Flora and Son

93%

83%

Flora and Son

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Flora and Son

Inside Llewyn Davis

92%

74%

Inside Llewyn Davis

Watchlist

Wild Rose

92%

87%

Wild Rose

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Wild Rose

The Moment

66%

75%

The Moment

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Moment

Kneecap

96%

95%

Kneecap

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Kneecap

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Power Ballad: Exclusive Featurette - Demo to Finish in Grasslodge

1:21

Power Ballad: Exclusive Featurette - Meet Rick

0:44

Power Ballad: Trailer 2

1:48

Power Ballad: Trailer 1

1:15

View more videos

View more photos

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
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 23, 2026
Runtime: 1h 38m