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

86%

Tomatometer

141 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

100+ 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.

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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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Annie Berke

The New Republic

14h

Diverting but not unforgettable, Power Ballad is lovely—but would I wanna hear it again?

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Thelma Adams

AARP Movies for Grownups

3d

4/5

Together, Rick and Danny can make beautiful music; Power Ballad finds the harmony, heartbreak and ultimate rocking redemption in their collaboration.

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Linda Holmes

Pop Culture Happy Hour (NPR Podcast)

3d

This is a very good film about how important it is to creative people, to artists, to make something good. And how hard it is to convince yourself that you have made something good.

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Sean Burns

Spliced Personality (Substack)

59m

The movie is a lot like the song: a drippy little MOR ditty that’s not quite catchy enough to get stuck in your head.

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Paul Salfen

AMFM Magazine

13h

8/10

It’s more of a cautionary tale than one of music bringing us together as with Carney’s previous films but it will still get to you and make you feel something.

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Jon Negroni

InBetweenDrafts

15h

7.5/10

Carney sets a trap baited with his own formula and springs something richer. A film about authorship that turns out to be a film about fatherhood, ambition, and the quiet arithmetic of a good life.

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Anne C

7h

Fun, well acted and uplifting. Left feeling better than I came into the theater. That's always a win.

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chrisc

8h

Unexpectedly great. The type of movie they rarely make anymore. Great mix of drama and comedy. Way better than the trailers made it out to be.

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John

10h

Just okay. Miscast. The leaders were not great singers. The songs weren't good. Too much auto tune!!! Ending was decent. Grade: C-/D+

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Mike G

13h

This movie was really good. You won’t be disappointed. It also was not too long so just the perfect amount of time. I found this movie to be unique. Paul Rudd gave a great performance in this movie. It was also a good combination of some good laughs while also being serious too which gave it good balance.

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Suzanne F F

13h

What a fun Sunday afternoon movie. Loved it!

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Dave G

14h

I loved this movie! It shows all of the beautiful things popular music can be: A deeply meaningful expression of love for another, a vehicle for celebrating a wedding with family and friends, a bringing together of two new friends from different generations and different worlds. But it also shows the far less beautiful side of popular music: the self-centered egos, the love of money, the pursuit of shallow pleasure at the expense of deeper meaning, purpose, and love. And the ability of the two stars, Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, to convey these contrasts, is exceptional. And for me the music, especially Paul Rudd’s in his wedding band, resonates with feel-good nostalgia. I have been listening to the movie’s great soundtrack on Spotify, and will probably go see this movie again!

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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