Power Ballad(2026)

Name: Power Ballad
Director: John Carney
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music, Musical
Released: May 29, 2026
Cast: Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Rory Keenan

Lionsgate

R
Rated R for language throughout and some drug use
1h 38m

Release Date: May 29, 2026 | Limited

A past-his-prime wedding singer in Dublin crosses paths with a fading boy-band star at a late-night gig, and the two end up bonding over a single song. When that song explodes into the hit of the year under the wrong name, the older man sets out to reclaim what he believes is his in a credit story.

Releases

Original Release | May 29, 2026

Jun 5, 2026 | Wide

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Current Showtimes

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Tue Jun 2
Wed Jun 3
Thu Jun 4
Fri Jun 5
Sat Jun 6
Sun Jun 7
Mon Jun 8

Director & Top Cast

John Carney
Director

Paul Rudd
Rick

Nick Jonas
Danny

Peter McDonald
Sandy

Marcella Plunkett
Rachel

Rory Keenan
Binzer

Keith McErlean

Kyle

Paul Reid

Bernard

Beth Fallon

Aja

Jack Reynor

Mac

Havana Rose Liu

Marcia

Naoimh Whelton

Laura

Sophie Vavasseur

Amanda

Juliette Crosbie

Barbara

Kelly Thornton

Linda

Robert Mitchell

George

Mae Higgins

Elaine

Tom Leavey

Wedding Guest

Other Details

Country of Origin: Ireland,United States

Language: English

Summaries

Plot Summary

Power Ballad is a 2026 American-Irish musical comedy directed by John Carney (Once, Sing Street, Begin Again) and co-written by Carney and Peter McDonald. The film stars Paul Rudd as Rick Power, a past-his-prime wedding singer, and Nick Jonas as Danny Wilson, a fading boy-band star whose late-night jam session with Rick produces a song that goes on to define his comeback. The supporting cast includes Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu, Jack Reynor, Rory Keenan, and Sophie Vavasseur. Cinematography is by Yaron Orbach, with editing by Stephen O'Connell. Set across Dublin and the music-industry circuit, the film explores themes of artistic credit, friendship, self-respect, fading fame, mentorship, and the price of ambition. Produced by Likely Story, Treasure Entertainment, 30West, Screen Ireland, and Distressed Films, it had its world premiere at the Dublin International Film Festival on March 1, 2026. Distributed by Lionsgate, it releases in limited US theatres on May 29 before a wider expansion on June 5. It is suited to fans of Carney's earlier music-driven work.

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Fun Facts

It was fully financed before a single frame was shot. 30West fully financed the film upfront, allowing production to begin immediately in Dublin, Ireland in May 2024 — with Paul Rudd starring as an American expat wedding singer who has lived there for 15 years.