Ever since Keanu Reeves first stepped back into the world of action cinema as the grieving, vengeance-fueled assassin in “John Wick” (2014), the franchise has exploded into a genre-defining series of operatic shootouts, meticulously choreographed scenes and ever-expanding worldbuilding from the mind of Chad Stahelski. With the recent addition of “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina” now playing in theaters from Lionsgate, it’s the perfect time to assess where each installment stands in the hierarchy of this stylish and savage series. I know some will have their own feelings about this beloved franchise, but here is how I personally rank the “John Wick” films, from the bullets that barely hit the mark to the grandiose barrage of carnage that redefined action filmmaking.
5. From The World Of John Wick: Ballerina (2025)
I know, I know. We may not be off to a good start here. But despite some creative setpieces and a physically committed performance from Ana de Armas, “Ballerina” ultimately feels like a side-step rather than a bold leap forward for the franchise. The spin-off that takes place between “Chapter 3 – Parabellum” and “Chapter 4” attempts to maintain the franchise’s sleek visual language without the presence of cinematographer Dan Laustsen while telling yet another revenge story, but neither lands are hard and ferociously as what came before it. There are glimpses of greatness – particularly in the fight scenes’ (Grenades! Flamethrows! And Plates! Oh My!), which many assume Stahelski came in and re-shot, the expanded role of the Ruska Roma within the world of “John Wick” but with a lackluster villain, story and forced utilization of Keanu Reeves himself, despite the respected effort, it never quite dances to the same beat of that which came before it.
4. John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)
Here is where I think I’m likely to lose some of you. “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” is insanely action-packed and delivers some outrageous and inventive set pieces that showcase Keanu Reeves at his most physically committed (that is, until the fourth installment). With shootouts on horseback, sword fights on motorcycles, and scene-stealing support from Halle Berry (and her dogs), the film is a spectacle of violence that pushes the genre’s boundaries. However, while it delivers plenty of thrills, it lacks the emotional weight and personal stakes of the first two installments, favoring sheer chaos over character development and getting bogged down in the expansion of its worldbuilding. The narrative often spins its wheels, offering little resolution and leaving the story incomplete, especially for those expecting a trilogy capstone at the time of its release. Visually dazzling and undeniably fun, it holds up a bit better now, but it still feels very much like a middle chapter.
3. John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
The second chapter is where the franchise fully started to embrace its mythic undercurrent. Picking up immediately after the first film, this sequel deepens our understanding of the shadowy assassin underworld and plunges John deeper into a life he desperately wants to leave behind. While the pacing and reintroduction of characters can sometimes feel clunky, once the action kicks in and Wick is pitted against Santino D’Antonio, the bullets, and blood never stop flowing, with standout set pieces, dry humor, and imaginative kills following, all topping the first film. It crescendos to a shocking moment of ice-cold vengeance on Continental grounds that drastically ups the stakes and sends audiences out on a high with anticipation for what will come next. “John Wick: Chapter 2” proved that the first film was no fluke as it does what every effective sequel should do: ups the ante, delivering on more of what audiences loved about the first film, and serving as a bridge to a grander, darker mythology that fans were eager to explore.
2. John Wick (2014)
The one that started it all still holds tremendous power despite lacking the grandiosity of what would follow with its sequels and Laustsen’s gorgeous camerawork and lighting. With its streamlined revenge plot, mournful tone, and what was, for many, their first introduction to gunfu, “John Wick” was a sensational discovery for many in 2014 as it felt like a shot in the arm for the action genre. Even all these years later, its lean, focused, and deeply satisfying storytelling still holds up. The emotional hook of the death of a puppy as a symbol of Wick’s recently departed wife may sound absurd on paper, especially at this point in Reeves’s career when it looked like his better days may have been behind him, but Reeves dug deep physically and emotionally to deliver a performance of quiet intensity that audiences could get behind and are still rooting for today. There may be fewer shootouts than in later installments, but they all hit hard because the stakes were so personal.
1. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
There’s no debate for me – “John Wick: Chapter 4” is the crown jewel of the franchise and one of the greatest action films ever made. Period. Every element that defines the series, from the intricate lore to the hard-hitting action, a wide array of colorful characters, and impeccable style, culminates in this grand, globe-trotting epic that pushed the runtime to nearly three hours and earned every minute of it. From the sword fighting at the Osaka Continental to the insanity of the car stunts at the Arc de Triomphe and the painful stairway sequence in Paris, each set piece feels like a masterclass in practical action filmmaking, with every department working at the peak of their prowess. Director Chad Stahelski really cemented himself as a household name here if he had not done so already as he balances scale and soul with an emotional story arc that also contains another wearied and awe-inspiring performance from Reeves as the Baba Yaga. The film’s Western-like final act is bold, emotional, and poetic. Many considered it so perfect that they felt the franchise should end here with Wick at peace, seemingly free of The High Table for good. I, myself, have wrestled with this because as extremely satisfying as an ending as this feels for Wick and the franchise, the introduction of several new characters, such as Donnie Yen’s blind but deadly Caine and Rina Sawayama as Shimazu Akira, make me want to see more from these characters and this world. We may have “Ballerina” to tide us over, but if Stahelski and Reeves can crack it and handle it, I say bring on more pain for “Chapter 5.”
As the universe of “John Wick” continues to expand, with spin-offs and potential sequels on the horizon, it’s clear that what began as a simple tale of vengeance has become a sprawling saga unlike anything else in modern cinema. Do you agree with my ranking? Which is your favorite film in the “John Wick” franchise? Have you seen “Ballerina” yet? If so, what did you think? Please let us know in the comments section below or on our X account.
