Power Ballad, directed by John Carney, debuted in limited release on May 29, 2026, before opening nationwide on June 5, 2026 [1]. The film stars Paul Rudd as Rick, a washed-up wedding singer, and Nick Jonas as Danny, a former boy band member [1, 2]. Beth Fallon appears as Rick’s teenage daughter Aja [2].
The story explores fading stardom, friendship, and music through the complex relationship between Rick and Danny. Conflict arises when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs, "How to Write a Song Without You," into a hit without giving proper credit several weeks after they meet in the film’s timeline [2].
Power Ballad holds an 85% critics score and an 83% verified audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 123 reviews [1]. Critics have praised the film for its warmth, heartfelt performances, and authentic emotion. Ian Freer of Empire Magazine called it "a catchy Valentine to the transcendent properties of music" with "native wit, warmth and generosity" [1]. Richard Brody of The New Yorker described it as "a sentimental tale of family and friends both fostering and thwarting a dream," noting its strong emotional current despite leaving some ideas unexplored [1].
Owen Gleiberman at Variety highlighted Paul Rudd’s performance, saying Rudd makes Rick "a fully felt presence, a gifted musician with a dad-rock swagger" [1]. However, not all reviews were uniformly positive. Katie Walsh of Tribune News Service said the film "feels like it might blow away with a puff of wind" and "doesn’t have the staying power" [1].
John Carney, who co-wrote the film’s original songs, previously directed acclaimed music-themed films Once and Sing Street [1, 2]. Power Ballad’s blend of comedy and drama centers on heartfelt storytelling set to an original soundtrack.
The film continues to be shown in theaters across the US following its June 5 nationwide release.
