Balls Up
Release poster
Directed by Peter Farrelly
Written by
  • Rhett Reese
  • Paul Wernick
Produced by
  • David Ellison
  • Dana Goldberg
  • Don Granger
  • Andrew Muscato
  • Rhett Reese
  • Paul Wernick
Starring
  • Mark Wahlberg
  • Paul Walter Hauser
  • Benjamin Bratt
  • Eva De Dominici
  • Daniela Melchior
  • Molly Shannon
  • Sacha Baron Cohen
Cinematography John Brawley
Edited by Sam Seig
Music by Dave Palmer
Production
companies
  • Skydance Media
  • Reese/Wernick Productions
Distributed by Amazon MGM Studios (via Prime Video)
Release date
  • April 15, 2026 (2026-04-15)
Running time
104 minutes[1]
Country United States
Language English

Balls Up is a 2026 American action comedy film directed by Peter Farrelly and written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. It stars Mark Wahlberg, Paul Walter Hauser, Benjamin Bratt, Eva De Dominici, Daniela Melchior, Molly Shannon, and Sacha Baron Cohen. It received generally negative reviews from critics.

Premise

After causing an international incident at the World Cup Final, rival co-workers must find a way out of Brazil alive.

Cast

  • Mark Wahlberg as Brad Lewison
  • Paul Walter Hauser as Elijah DeBell
  • Sacha Baron Cohen as Pavio Curto Bundchen
  • Benjamin Bratt as Senhor Santos
  • Luciano Szafir as Cristos
  • Eva De Dominici as Emilia
  • Daniela Melchior as Antonia / Isadora Costa
  • Molly Shannon as Burgess
  • Eric André as Eco Warrior Aaron
  • Chelsey Crisp as Eco Warrior Julie

Production

In June 2024, it was announced that Mark Wahlberg and Paul Walter Hauser were cast in the film, with Peter Farrelly directing from a script by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick.[2] In July 2024, Molly Shannon, Eva De Dominici, and Benjamin Bratt joined the film.[3][4][5] In August, Daniela Melchior and Eric André joined the cast.[6] In September, Chelsey Crisp joined the cast.[7]

Filming

Principal photography began in mid-July 2024 at Village Roadshow Studios in Queensland.[8] Some filming took place in places around Brisbane, Queensland, particularly in front of the Town Hall.

Release

The film was released worldwide on Prime Video on April 15, 2026.[9]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 31% of 29 critics' reviews are positive.[10] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 34 out of 100, based on eight critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.

References

  1. ^ "Balls Up". Amazon MGM Studios. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  2. ^ Gajewski, Ryan (June 20, 2024). "Mark Wahlberg, Paul Walter Hauser to Star in Peter Farrelly's 'Balls Up' For Amazon MGM". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 20, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  3. ^ Grobar, Matt (July 2, 2024). "Molly Shannon Joins Mark Wahlberg, Paul Walter Hauser In Amazon MGM Comedy 'Balls Up'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  4. ^ Vlessing, Etan (July 9, 2024). "Eva De Dominici Joins Mark Wahlberg in Peter Farrelly's 'Ball's Up' Action Comedy (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  5. ^ Grobar, Matt (July 18, 2024). "Benjamin Bratt Latest To Join Mark Wahlberg, Paul Walter Hauser In Amazon MGM's 'Balls Up'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 24, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  6. ^ Kroll, Justin (August 5, 2024). "Daniela Melchior Lands Female Lead In Peter Farrelly's Next Movie 'Balls Up' At Amazon MGM Studios And Skydance; Eric André Also On Board". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  7. ^ Grobar, Matt (September 9, 2024). "Peter Farrelly's Amazon MGM Action Comedy 'Balls Up' Adds Chelsey Crisp To Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  8. ^ Geisinger, Gabreilla (July 3, 2024). "'Balls Up' starring Mark Wahlberg and Paul Walter Hauser to film in Queensland". Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  9. ^ Greenawalt, Tyler (March 19, 2026). "How to watch 'Balls Up', premiering April 15 on Prime Video". Amazon News. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  10. ^ "Balls Up". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 18, 2026.