Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas square off over a stolen hit in the latest crowd-pleaser from the writer-director of Once and Sing Street, arriving on Premium Digital and VOD.
John Carney has built an entire career on the transcendent power of a great song, and Power Ballad finds him exploring its flip side: what happens when someone steals one. The latest from the writer-director of Once and Sing Street arrives on Premium Digital and Premium Video on Demand beginning June 23 from Lionsgate. After a warm reception on the festival circuit and in theaters, this is a feel-good charmer I am happy to see reaching the at-home crowd.
A Hit Song and a Bitter Rivalry
The premise is classic Carney with a sharper edge. When Rick, played by Paul Rudd, a past-his-prime wedding singer living in Ireland, meets fading boy-band star Danny, played by Nick Jonas, 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.
What sets Power Ballad apart from Carney’s earlier work is its focus. Rather than dreamers on the outside clawing toward the spotlight, this is a story about two seasoned musicians and the messy questions of ownership, ego, and credit that surround a hit. Critics have praised it as one of Carney’s most winning films since Once, a warm, funny, surprisingly nuanced crowd-pleaser anchored by Rudd’s immensely sympathetic everyman and an unexpectedly layered turn from Jonas as a pop star quietly eaten by guilt.
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A Cast in Fine Voice
The pairing at the center is the draw. Paul Rudd, beloved from Ant-Man, Anchorman, and I Love You, Man, carries the film as Rick, while Nick Jonas, of Camp Rock and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, draws on his own boy-band history for a sly, self-aware performance as Danny. The supporting cast includes Peter McDonald of The Stag, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Carney, Marcella Plunkett of Once, Havana Rose Liu of Bottoms, and Jack Reynor of Midsommar.
As with every Carney film, the music is the real star. Power Ballad features Rudd and Jonas performing everything from Stevie Wonder to Thin Lizzy, but the centerpiece is the original tune “How to Write a Song (Without You),” written by Carney and his longtime collaborator Gary Clark. Performed throughout the film in evolving arrangements, it is the kind of earworm-with-a-heart that fans of “Falling Slowly” will recognize instantly, and several critics have flagged it as one of the year’s best original songs.
Bonus Features
The release comes with a healthy slate of extras.
- The Making of Power Ballad
- The Music of Power Ballad
- The Power of Paul Rudd
- Theatrical trailers
- Fandango Exclusive: The Power of Music
Where and When to Watch
Here is the rollout.
- Available: June 23, 2026
- Rent: via Premium Video on Demand, for a 48-hour period
- Buy: via Premium Electronic Sell-Through on participating platforms, including Movies Anywhere, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Google TV, YouTube, and more
- Distributor: Lionsgate
The Vitals
The quick-scan version.
| Title | Power Ballad |
| Directed by | John Carney |
| Written by | John Carney and Peter McDonald |
| Starring | Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu, Jack Reynor |
| Original song | “How to Write a Song (Without You)” by John Carney and Gary Clark |
| Distributor | Lionsgate |
| Premiere | 2026 Dublin International Film Festival; SXSW 2026 |
| Theatrical release | May 29, 2026 |
| Digital release | June 23, 2026 |
| Learn more | Wikipedia and Rotten Tomatoes |
The Synopsis
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 writer-director John Carney, Power Ballad is a feel-good story about music, self-respect, friendship, and the price of ambition.
Where It Stands
Power Ballad comes home as exactly the kind of warm, music-soaked crowd-pleaser Carney does better than anyone, elevated by a winning Rudd-and-Jonas pairing and an original song built to stick with you. With a quick digital bow and a solid set of extras, it is an easy recommendation for a feel-good night in. I will have a fuller AndersonVision look as the home release rolls out.
For more, here is our coverage of music-driven cinema, and our running file on Lionsgate releases is right this way.
