All 5 ‘John Wick’ Movies and the Show, Ranked (Including Ballerina)
The John Wick series has redefined action movies with its blend of sleek style and raw emotion. Keanu Reeves’ brooding assassin sparked a franchise that now spans five films and a TV miniseries, each adding new layers to a world of deadly elegance.
From gritty origins to bold spinoffs, here’s how the saga stacks up, starting with the least impactful and ending with the absolute best.
6. The Continental: From the World of John Wick (2023)
Set in the 1970s, this prequel series follows a young Winston Scott, portrayed by Colin Woodell, as he rises in New York’s criminal underbelly to claim The Continental hotel. Mel Gibson’s menacing Cormac drives the conflict with cold ambition.
The show delivers stylish action and explores the franchise’s lore, but it lacks the emotional pull of John Wick’s story. New characters keep things fresh, yet the absence of familiar faces makes it feel like a side note in the saga.
5. Ballerina (2025)
Ana de Armas shines as Eve Macarro, a ballerina turned assassin trained by the Ruska Roma, seeking vengeance in this spinoff set between the third and fourth Wick films. Keanu Reeves cameo, alongside Ian McShane and Lance Reddick, ties it to the main series.
‘Ballerina’ dazzles with creative fights, like flamethrower duels and roller-skate chases, but its story feels lighter than the core films. It proves the universe can grow beyond Wick, even if it doesn’t hit the same peaks.
4. John Wick (2014)
The film that launched the franchise introduces Keanu Reeves as John Wick, a retired hitman avenging his stolen car and murdered puppy. With John Leguizamo and Willem Dafoe in supporting roles, it crafts a lean, brutal tale.
‘John Wick’ blends heart and groundbreaking ‘gun-fu’ action, setting the stage for the series. Its straightforward plot is gripping, though later entries outdo it with bigger scope. It’s a timeless spark that ignited a phenomenon.
3. John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
Forced back into action by a blood oath, John Wick navigates Rome’s underworld, facing off against Riccardo Scamarcio’s crime lord. Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King adds a sly charm to the expanding assassin world.
‘Chapter 2’ ramps up the action with iconic moments like the pencil kill, diving deeper into the High Table’s rules. It trades some of the first film’s raw emotion for spectacle, but the result is a thrilling escalation.
2. John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)
Hunted with a $14 million bounty, John Wick battles through New York and Morocco. Halle Berry’s Sofia and her fierce dogs steal the spotlight, while Mark Dacascos’ Zero brings intensity. Horse chases and knife fights push the action to new heights.
‘Parabellum’ delivers relentless energy and richer worldbuilding, though its story can feel dense. The sheer creativity of its fights makes it a standout, perfectly bridging the series’ past and future.
1. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
The pinnacle of the franchise, ‘Chapter 4’ follows John Wick’s war against the High Table across Paris, Japan, and beyond. Donnie Yen’s blind assassin Caine and Bill Skarsgård’s cruel Marquis elevate every scene. The Arc de Triomphe battle and overhead shotgun sequence are breathtaking.
This nearly three-hour epic balances jaw-dropping action with deep emotion. Every frame feels crafted to perfection, making ‘Chapter 4’ the ultimate John Wick experience and a high bar for the series’ future.