The John Wick franchise is adored by both action enthusiasts and dog lovers.
It feels as if the original film has been part of cinematic history for much longer than its 11 years due to its significant impact on Hollywood. From its spectacular “gun fu” choreography to Keanu Reeves’ resurgence as a leading man, the scrappy indie thriller introduced Reeves as a retired hitman who returns to the underworld for a quest of vengeance. Since then, the franchise has expanded to include three additional Wick films, a prequel TV series, and now a new cinematic spinoff. Ballerina stars Ana de Armas as a dancer and assassin trained within the same crime syndicate that unleashed Wick.
To celebrate the recent addition, here is a ranking of all the films in the John Wick series. (For those catching up: Ballerina is currently in theaters, while all four Wick films are available to stream on Lionsgate)
5. John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)
Excommunicated from his guild of assassins and facing a $14 million bounty, thanks to the omnipotent High Table, John engages in fierce fights involving blades and even rides a horse through New York to evade a city teeming with hidden assassins. He travels to Morocco seeking aid from Sofia (Halle Berry), a friend who shares his love for dogs, only to find himself back in New York for an ultimate showdown against martial arts expert Zero (Mark Dacascos). While this third installment delivers impressive action and an engaging storyline, it ultimately feels less impactful due to a convoluted finale and underdeveloped secondary characters.
4. Ballerina (2025)
While Wick is known for his weapon proficiency, Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) embraces a much wider arsenal. This rookie assassin goes rogue from her family to seek vengeance against the cult responsible for her father’s death. Her mission of revenge involves an exhilarating flamethrower showdown and a wild fight with dinnerware, all while she makes new allies and enemies, including a confrontation with Wick himself. As a spinoff, Ballerina captures the essence of a John Wick noir thriller while also offering a unique and fresh perspective.
3. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
In this expansive installment, Wick decides to take action against the High Table. The Marquis (Bill Skarsgård), a sadistic new villain, enlists Wick’s old friend and blind martial arts master Caine (Donnie Yen) to take him down, leading to a climactic battle in Paris. This fourth chapter excels in delivering breathtaking action sequences, featuring an incredible fight set in a German nightclub, an exhilarating overhead “doll house” showdown where Wick uses incendiary bullets, and a thrilling traffic chaos scene at the Arc de Triomphe.
2. John Wick (2014)
The inaugural Wick film holds a special place in the hearts of fans for its intense action and the notorious scene where the villains kill a puppy. The emotional weight of this incident, particularly as it was the last gift from his deceased wife, justifies John’s return to the violent world he tried to escape. This film features notable performances from Willem Dafoe and John Leguizamo, while Reeves shines as he seeks revenge against the dog-killing son of a Russian mafia boss (Alfie Allen), marking the unforgettable inception of the legendary hard-luck assassin.
1. John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
While the first film was impressive, Chapter 2 amplifies the extraordinary stunts and heart-stopping gun battles, deepening the mythology of John’s universe. Viewers gain insight into the High Table, the assassin hotel The Continental, and John’s extensive backstory within this world. When Wick is compelled to honor a blood oath to underworld boss Santino D’Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio), chaos ensues as he fully returns to the treacherous realm. John’s act of killing Santino on Continental grounds—a significant breach of protocol—sets off a chain of events that marks him as a wanted man across subsequent films.
