"Ballet dancer" tops cinematic charts in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States
In the world of action-packed cinema, the highly anticipated spin-off from the John Wick franchise, Ballerina, has made its mark. Starring Ana de Armas as the lead character Eve Macarro, a ballerina turned assassin, the film has been a box office success since its release on June 6, 2025, after a delay from its original date in 2024.
Set between John Wick: Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, Ballerina features Keanu Reeves reprising his iconic role as John Wick, though the plot deviates from the usual High Table storyline, focusing instead on new threats that Wick faces. The film had its world premiere in early June 2025, with Lionsgate, the production studio, embargoing negative and critical reviews until one day before release to help manage the film’s reception.
Ballerina received mixed early reactions but was aimed to generate strong box office performance, with projections around $39 million to $48 million opening weekend, targeting $45 million. Although described by some as underwhelming at the box office, Ballerina still set franchise records during its run and was generally well-received by audiences.
In terms of streaming, Ballerina is expected to debut on Starz around November 2025 after its theatrical run. Additionally, the full John Wick film series will be available on Hulu starting August 15, 2025, but this does not explicitly include the spinoff.
Regarding its release in Russia, Lionsgate had a policy change in late 2023, resuming the release of films in the Russian market after suspending them in 2022 due to geopolitical issues. However, specific details about Ballerina’s Russian release or local box office success have not been detailed in the sources available. Lionsgate plans to release Ballerina in Russia through the Russian distributor Atmosphere Cinema.
Meanwhile, in the Russian film industry, Kraken, featuring Alexander Petrov and Viktor Dobronravov, collected 19.8 million rubles over the weekend. The Tender Man, another domestic production, collected 16.1 million rubles from June 5 to 8.
The change in Lionsgate’s policy is due to "the passage of time" and "a change in sentiment". This marks a significant shift in policy, as many studios had previously suspended releases in Russia.
As the John Wick franchise continues to expand, Ballerina offers a fresh and captivating storyline that appeals to both fans of the original series and new audiences alike. With its unique blend of ballet and action, Ballerina is a film not to be missed.
The highly anticipated spin-off from the John Wick franchise, Ballerina, has contribution to both the action-packed cinema and entertainment world, showcasing a unique blend of ballet and action. As the John Wick franchise expands, Ballerina is also expected to appeal to movie-and-tv enthusiasts when it debuts on streaming platforms like Starz and Hulu.
