Ana de Armas has broken her personal record for highest opening weekend box office with her new action film, Ballerina, which debuted to $51 million worldwide. The achievement marks a major milestone in de Armas’ career, signaling her growing influence as a lead actor and setting a new bar for her future projects in Hollywood.
Ballerina Arrives With High Expectations and Delivers Big Numbers
After years of playing supporting roles, Ana de Armas was placed at the center of Ballerina, a spin-off of the hugely popular John Wick series. Taking on such a role came with risk, as many film franchises have struggled to replicate their main series’ success in spin-offs. Even more, action films led by women have sometimes faced skepticism in the broader industry, raising the stakes for both de Armas and the production as a whole.
Despite the challenges, fans of Ana de Armas responded enthusiastically, turning out in large numbers during the film’s opening weekend. The strong turnout translated into box office receipts that quickly surpassed her previous debuts, demonstrating both her drawing power and the enduring appeal of the John Wick universe. Early reactions from moviegoers and critics have also been notably positive, underscoring the film’s early momentum.
Paving Her Own Path Beyond Supporting Roles
Ana de Armas’ career has included standout performances in films such as War Dogs, Blade Runner 2049, and No Time to Die, where she often played supporting characters with unique presence. Yet, her breakout as a lead came in 2019’s Knives Out, where she played a central figure embroiled in a murder mystery, earning acclaim for both her acting range and screen charm. Knives Out itself became a massive success, collecting $312 million worldwide and bringing in $26 million during its first weekend, according to industry reports.
That opening weekend performance by Knives Out stood as her best to date for a lead role, positioning her as more than just a supporting player in Hollywood. The film’s success confirmed that de Armas could anchor complex stories and attract audiences on her own merit.
Ballerina Surpasses Past Records and Industry Norms
Ballerina’s association with the John Wick franchise raised expectations for action, style, and production quality, as audiences have come to expect technical excellence from every installment. With Ana de Armas stepping into the starring role, the film faced pressure to not only honor that legacy but also prove itself as a worthy continuation of the action universe.
So far, Ballerina is meeting and even exceeding those expectations. Reviewers and fans alike have praised the film, which currently boasts a 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes—an indicator of strong word of mouth and positive reception. Box office tracking further confirms its success, as Ballerina’s $51 million worldwide opening has officially set a new high for Ana de Armas in a leading part. This nearly doubles the opening weekend record she previously held with Knives Out, illustrating her rapid ascent as a star who can lead major productions.
While the $51 million debut is an outstanding accomplishment for de Armas personally, it also stands out as an impressive result for lead-driven action films, particularly those that put new faces at the helm of established franchises. The result helps challenge long-held assumptions in the film industry about audience interest in action movies led by women and signals opportunities for more diverse storytelling moving forward.
Ballerina is now playing in theaters, marking an exciting new chapter for Ana de Armas as she cements her place in blockbuster cinema. With her highest-ever opening weekend box office performance, all eyes are on what projects she will tackle next and how this new record might influence casting and production decisions within the industry. As Ballerina continues its run, it may yet set additional milestones for both the actress and the action film genre as a whole.
