Get ready to pirouette into the action-packed world of John Wick—the first trailer for From the World of John Wick: Ballerina just dropped, and early box office projections are looking sharp. Lionsgate’s highly anticipated spinoff, starring Ana de Armas as a deadly ballerina-assassin, is tracking for a $35 million to $40 million domestic opening weekend when it hits theaters on June 6, 2025. With the John Wick franchise’s killer reputation and a star-studded cast, Ballerina is poised to deliver a bloody good start to the summer movie season. Here’s why this opening has us hyped.
A High-Kicking Debut
According to Deadline, Ballerina hit three-weekend tracking on May 15, 2025, with projections pointing to a $35M-$40M three-day debut in the U.S. and Canada. That’s a solid launch for a spinoff, landing in the same ballpark as Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes ($44.6M) and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore ($42.1M). While it’s not quite the $73.8M opening of John Wick: Chapter 4 in 2023, it’s a strong start for a film that cost between $80M-$90M after reshoots, especially since Lionsgate offsets budgets by selling foreign rights.
The trailer, unveiled at CinemaCon in April, showcased Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, a ballerina training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma, hunting those who killed her family. Set between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, the R-rated thriller brings back Keanu Reeves as John Wick in a cameo, alongside Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston, and the late Lance Reddick in his final role as Charon. The action looks as slick and brutal as ever, with de Armas flipping between graceful dance and bone-crunching fights, backed by a killer soundtrack featuring Halsey and Evanescence’s Amy Lee.
Why It’s Got Buzz
The John Wick franchise is a box office beast, with over $1.03 billion globally, and Chapter 4 alone pulled in $440M. Ballerina taps into that fanbase, with early tracking showing strong interest from men over 25 and solid unaided awareness among the over-25 crowd. Chapter 4 drew a diverse audience—48% men over 25, 22% women over 25, 22% men under 25, with 22% Latino/Hispanic, 21% Asian American, and 19% Black moviegoers—so Ballerina could pull similar numbers. Posts on X are already hyping the film, with pre-sales matching The Equalizer 3 and some calling it Lionsgate’s biggest opening since Hunger Games’ prequel.
Ana de Armas is a big draw, fresh off Knives Out and No Time to Die, and her behind-the-scenes social media posts have kept the hype alive. Director Len Wiseman (Underworld) brings his action chops, with John Wick mastermind Chad Stahelski overseeing reshoots to ensure the franchise’s signature style. The trailer’s mix of ballet elegance and bloody vengeance—think John Wick meets Black Swan—has fans buzzing about a fresh take on the universe.
Facing the Summer Heat
June’s a crowded month, with Ballerina opening against family-friendly heavyweights like Universal’s live-action How to Train Your Dragon and Pixar’s Elio on June 13. But Ballerina’s R-rating and action pedigree give it a unique edge, targeting adults craving a break from kid-centric blockbusters. The film’s delay from its original June 2024 slot—thanks to reshoots to polish the action—seems to be paying off, with Deadline noting Keanu Reeves’ promotional window helping secure the prime summer spot.
Some X posts have raised concerns, with one user doubting Ballerina will hit $250M globally, citing its lower budget compared to Sinners ($193.3M domestic so far) and heavy marketing spend. But the John Wick brand’s loyal fanbase and de Armas’ star power could push it past expectations, especially with a lighter tone than darker spy thrillers like Red Sparrow, which struggled at $150M.
What’s Next?
Ballerina drops on June 6, 2025, with a 2-hour-6-minute runtime, promising a lean, mean thrill ride. Lionsgate’s already eyeing a sequel, with producer Erica Lee confirming plans for de Armas to return. After its theatrical run, it’ll hit streaming on Starz, thanks to Lionsgate’s deal. Want to prep? Binge the John Wick series on Peacock or catch Chapter 4 on Starz to get in the mood.
Source: Deadline