Power Ballad
Directed by John Carney
When Rick, a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny 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 TMDB
176 reactions from 4 sources (Bluesky, Mastodon, Lemmy, TMDB reviews) · newest Oct 6, 2026 · last updated Oct 13, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
Sentiment labels for these sources are still being hand-checked; no score yet.
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluesky * | 43 | 3 | 70 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lemmy * | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| TMDB reviews * | 0 | 0 | 1 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
55 newer reactions are still waiting for a label.
What people are saying
A written summary appears once the title has a score.
Critics, per Wikipedia
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 192 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "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." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 67 out of 100, based on 35 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 176 · most liked firstSaw the new John Carney movie “Power Ballad” last night starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas and it was very sweet. Also, love a 90 minute movie! They don’t all need to be two+ hours!!
positive · AI labelView post →"The Amazing Digital Circus" finale movie makes $5 million in presales; a record for Fathom Events. > This past January, fans of the veteran YouTuber Markiplier turned his feature film debut “Iron Lung” into a global box office hit, convincing thousands of theaters to bring the movie to their screens. Now, that’s happening again with “The Amazing Digital Circus,” the hit YouTube animated series that is bringing its ninth and final episode to the big screen. > > This past Friday, indie…
neutral · AI labelView post →Doom-scrolling for positive news? John Carney's follow-up to his hit Once, Power Ballad, made over $170,000 in just 10 US cinemas, wide from this Friday. It's a fun, Dublin-set musical comedy-drama, with Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas offering plenty of rizz-4 out of 5 film-authority.com/2026/06/01/p...
neutral · AI labelView post →Ok let's address the elephant in the room... Yes: Life Aquatic is a good film. One of Wes' weakest but still pretty damn good. Horton rewatch to build Lego and revisit an old childhood favourite: it's fine lol Power Ballad is a heartful slap and a half. #letterboxdfriday #lastfourwatched #filmsky
positive · AI labelView post →Power Ballad - A solid Paul Rudd movie. The Blob (1988) - Classic practical effects-driven horror. Nasty fun. Obsession - Impressive! Beaucoup spookoo. Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass - Great mid-budget comedy from David Wain. #LetterboxdFriday #LastFourWatched #FilmSky
positive · AI labelView post →#LetterboxdFriday #LastFourWatched 2 of my last 4 movies were seen in public movie temples. Remembering when Lady Chablis ruled the Earth. Charmed by Ozu. Taut tough guys in the Jungle. Loved Power Ballad, which reminded me of "My Name Is Julia Ross"... #FilmSky 📽 #MovieSky 🎬 #CinemaSky 🎞️
positive · AI labelView post →Power Ballad, Scary Movie (2026) - YMS youtu.be/unGDfeiVH4E
neutral · AI labelView post →Today at The Reveal, @kphipps3000.bsky.social and I are out there just liking movies: Keith on BACKROOMS and POWER BALLAD, me on PRESSURE. Consider it the start of low-key summer alternative-viewing season. thereveal.film/in-review-ba...
neutral · AI labelView post →Some recommendations from my recently enjoyed media consumption list… TV: Widow's Bay, Taskmaster S21, Legends (Netflix) Film: Obsession, Power Ballad, Exiled (Johnnie To), Wasteman Books: the Dungeon Crawler Carl series
neutral · AI labelView post →Christy @christylemire.bsky.social and Alonso @aduralde.bsky.social differ on whether Power Ballad is their tempo. #filmsky 📽
neutral · AI labelView post →Chicago - why wait for the latest from John Carney until June? You can see POWER BALLAD on Saturday, May 2 @musicboxtheatre.bsky.social as part of the Chicago Critics Film Festival. Get your tickets before they go! @chicagocritics.bsky.social www.musicboxtheatre.com/series-and-f...
neutral · AI labelView post →POWER BALLAD (2026) Streaming: September 26, 2026 Starz #PowerBallad whentostream.com/john-carneys...
neutral · AI labelView post →Watched "Power Ballad" Think "Music and Lyrics" meets "The Wedding Singer" A cute, sweet, and very small film, which makes it that much better. #scriptsky
positive · AI labelView post →Well, POWER BALLAD quickly escalated to the top of my (very short, I know) list of 2026 movies I have watched in theaters. This is another fantastic movie from John Carney, still not as great as SING STREET or ONCE but few movies can be that fantastic.
positive · AI labelView post →how am I expected to believe that this Power Ballad movie will be any good now that Adam Schlesinger is gone from us
neutral · AI labelView post →"The Amazing Digital Circus" finale movie makes $5 million in presales; a record for Fathom Events. cross-posted from: https://piefed.social/c/movies/p/1982727/the-amazing-digital-circus-finale-movie-makes-5-million-in-presales-a-record-for-fathom > > This past January, fans of the veteran YouTuber Markiplier turned his feature film debut “Iron Lung” into a global box office hit, convincing thousands of theaters to bring the movie to their screens. Now, that’s happening again with “The Amazing…
neutral · AI labelView post →POWER BALLAD (2026) Streaming: June 23, 2026 VOD/Digital (Apple, Amazon, Fandango at Home, etc.) #PowerBallad whentostream.com/john-carneys...
neutral · AI labelView post →POWER BALLAD: Never pass up a John Carney. Great movie.
positive · AI labelView post →Will the movie POWER BALLAD change your life? Will it win loads of awards? No, but Paul Rudd is SO charismatic as a wedding singer who missed his chance at fame. Family friendly fun with Nick Jonas!
positive · AI labelView post →Just saw POWER BALLAD, which is a nice little Sorta Movie They Don't Make Any More comedy, which is why it probably took five production companies to get it made
positive · AI labelView post →It is a TRAVESTY of filmgoing that we are the only ones in the theatre tonight for “Power Ballad”. It’s a perfect film. From beginning to end to music to heart to writing to… everything. This is officially the most underrated movie of all time. Go see it.
positive · AI labelView post →I’m not a fan of #PowerBallad. It did *NOT* put a song in my heart and it pains me to say, it’s John Carney’s worst film yet. My review: freshfiction.tv/power-ballad...
negative · AI labelView post →Batch of new stills from: ▪ ‘Masters of the Universe’ – June 5th ▪ ‘Power Ballad’ – June 5th ▪ ‘Scary Movie’ – June 5th ▪ ‘Disclosure Day’ – June 12th ▪ ‘The Furious’ – June 12th ▪ ‘Toy Story 5’ - June 19th ▪ ‘The Death of Robin Hood’ - June 19th ▪ ‘Leviticus’ – June 19th [📷 via Fandango]
neutral · AI labelView post →Power Ballad is a solid film that, like Disclosure Day, takes til the second act to pick up. Some good emotional beats, though it's not long enough to make it feel as impactful as it should. Rudd and Jonas both have good performances, just wish the film was longer to make up for it's potential 6/10
neutral · AI labelView post →John Carney's new film Power Ballad is in cinemas. Starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas it's a story with great central performances, catchy tunes and a big heart. I've given it 4 out of 5 stars. Here's my review. #FilmSky #SpéirGhorm www.thefourthwall.xyz/post/power-b...
neutral · AI labelView post →I am a sucker for most of John Carney’s movies, and I liked Power Ballad too -- although it approaches his familiar territory from a new direction.
positive · AI labelView post →Spontaneously went to see the movie Power Ballad and it was a gem of a film. I mean, it had Paul Rudd, so you can't go wrong, but it had an unexpected level of emotional depth and a satisfying end. And guitars! My friend and I were the only ones there. Sad, since it's so good!
positive · AI labelView post →Happy #LetterboxdFriday! Time to post your #LastFourWatched . Carolina Caroline: Easily 5 🌟 One of 2026s Bests. Power Ballad: Easily 5 🌟 One of 2026s Bests. SCARY MOVIE(2026): 3.3/5 🌟 Troy(2004) Umpteenth Rewatch of Theatrical Cut: 3/5. #ScaryMovie #SamaraWeaving #KyleGallner #NickJonas
positive · AI labelView post →Power Ballad - Movie Review geekerynz.blogspot.com/2026/06/powe...
neutral · AI labelView post →I am going to a 7:15 movie tonight. It has been decades since I have been to a movie at night. Got 2 free tickets to Power Ballad, so my roommate and I are going.
neutral · AI labelView post →So far, I'm 3 for 3 on these mystery movies. HOW TO MAKE A KILLING I SWEAR And now POWER BALLAD What's great is I'm going in so blind that I sometimes don't even know the movie exists at all, like I SWEAR or POWER BALLAD. And I still walk out pleasantly entertained.
positive · AI labelView post →Power Ballad After being let down of his recent films, Paul Rudd finally gets a good movie that he along with Nick Jonas are able to deliver with the dramedy elements from their performances with a good script to make this a enjoyable watch
positive · AI labelView post →Was so nice to go to the movies twice in one week. The Odyssey was really good too but was a big experience type movie that you go to watch on a big screen to appreciate the massive production. Power Ballad on the other hand was perfect for the indie theater.
positive · AI labelView post →#filmsky Freeline Media critic @mikeymcfilms.bsky.social notes that Paul Rudd in back with a new film, Power Ballad. Does the film sing all the right notes, or redefine the term "cringe"? Check out Mike's review to find out! freelinemediaorlando.com/mike-at-the-...
neutral · AI labelView post →Now Watching Power Ballad
neutral · AI labelView post →I’m having a middle-aged moment (not a seniors moment as I’m still gorgeous) Came to cinema to finally watch Devil Wears Prada 2 but got here at 10.20 instead of 11.20 and proceeded to walk into the wrong cinema 🤪 I’m currently watching the new Nick Jonas film Power Ballad I’m the only here 😭
neutral · AI labelView post →Now seated 🫡 #FilmSky #PowerBallad
neutral · AI labelView post →Tis the season for #siff! Last year I picked up a six pack of tickets and I’ve done it again this year. Tonight is was a good end to a hard week with Power Ballad—a sentimental film about what music can mean to people who create and perform it. And Paul Rudd never ceases to be charming.
positive · AI labelView post →In this issue, you’ll find reviews of John Carney’s latest music-based movie, Power Ballad, Ben Wheatley’s action film Normal, Steven Soderbergh’s art thriller The Christophers, and plenty more. GET A COPY: greatmagazines.co.uk/empire-summe...
neutral · AI labelView post →Chicago Critics Film Festival - Saturday's lineup: 11:30 AM - Shorts Program #1 2:00 PM - Tuner 4:30 PM - Carolina Caroline 7:15 PM - Power Ballad 9:45 AM - I Want Your Sex (SOLD OUT/RUSH LINE) 11:59 PM - Leviticus @chicagocritics.bsky.social @musicboxtheatre.bsky.social
neutral · AI labelView post →Chicago premieres of The Invite! Power Ballad! When a Witness Recants! Chili Finger! The Sun Never Sets! Time and Water! Maddie's Secret! Late Fame! And so many more! The 2026 @chicagocritics.bsky.social schedule is here! www.rogerebert.com/festivals/ch...
neutral · AI labelView post →This year’s Dublin International Film Festival will present the World Premiere of Power Ballad for its Closing Night Gala – the latest musical-comedy from Irish director John Carney. 🎶 💚 Proudly supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland as the Festival's Official Industry Partner. #IrishFilm
neutral · AI labelView post →there’s never much commotion around a new John Carney movie but I saw Power Ballad and loved it, much better than Flora and Son
positive · AI labelView post →It’s so weird to me that a crowd pleasing movie like Power Ballad starring Paul Rudd would have such little marketing and be in so few theaters. This movie would have killed 20 years ago when we used to make movies.
positive · AI labelView post →I wrote about POWER BALLAD and how it sucks when a good movie fails to find its audience. robsaucedo.substack.com/p/when-a-fil...
positive · AI labelView post →Wrote about Power Ballad, which is what would happen if Lurker was a gentle '90s Mirimax comedy.
neutral · AI labelView post →#NickJonas and #PaulRudd battle it out at the box office in #PowerBallad
neutral · AI labelView post →With Power Ballad, director John Carney once again proves that nobody captures the emotional power of music quite like he does. Featuring terrific performances from Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, the film blends humor, heart, and aching sincerity into one of the year’s best films.
neutral · AI labelView post →I loved Power Ballad. Now, I’m a sucker for John Carney movies, but this one really hit me in the feels. Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd are perfectly cast. The film rules. My rave review at Awards Radar has more: awardsradar.com/2026/05/27/f...
positive · AI labelView post →We go together Better than birds of a feather, you and me ... ooh, sorry, earworm! Cain Noble-Davies reviews POWER BALLAD, starring Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd, in cinemas Thursday
neutral · AI labelView post →Saw POWER BALLAD tonight, the new film from (Once and Sing Street director) John Carney. Perfectly decent, though a tad boomerish. Sort of a PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE riff except instead of William Finley you have impossibly handsome Paul Rudd, and instead of a phantom you have Irish people.
neutral · AI labelView post →Trailers in front I Love Boosters Spider Man Brand New Day The Odyssey Scary Movie The Mandalorian and Grogu In the Grey Power Ballad The Hunger Games Sunrise of the Reaping And my theater got the Digital Circus standee!
neutral · AI labelView post →Power Ballad is the latest film to be written and directed by John Carney. Like he did with his other projects (Once, Sing Street, Flora and Son), he places the music front and center. Rick (Paul Rudd) is a former rock star who set his career aside for his wife and... #FilmSky 📽
neutral · AI labelView post →Just saw it. Sadly he’s right. I’d rather be living in the movie Power Ballad.
neutral · AI labelView post →Just watched Power Ballad. It's by the director of Sing Street which if you haven't seen, do. This is Paul Rudd at his very best. FWIW, this movie pulled more on my heart strings than The Odyssey.
positive · AI labelView post →Review: Power Ballad – “A satisfying watch.” Read it here bit.ly/3QeLZli by @filmhill.bsky.social #PowerBallad #film #PaulRudd #NickJonas #JohnCarney #Music
neutral · AI labelView post →gina19e.substack.com/p/the-subjec... I wrote a review of the new movie "Power Ballad." Thanks for reading! It's free.
neutral · AI labelView post →I just saw Power Ballad and it might be the best movie of the year. I cannot recommend it enough. It’s full of heart, music, love. I cannot explain how much I loved this movie.
positive · AI labelView post →#NowWatching in theaters #PowerBallad #FilmSky
neutral · AI labelView post →There are a LOT of big movies out right now, but don’t let Power Ballad slip through the cracks. Excellent film about the dark side of the music industry and rediscovering the love for art. Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas were great!
positive · AI labelView post →
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