One of the most acclaimed and significant action franchises of the twenty-first century is the John Wick series, characterized by unrelenting action, outstanding choreography, and an unexpectedly rich mythology. Screenwriter Derek Kolstad and director Chad Stahelski’s John Wick have revolutionised the action genre by fusing intensely choreographed battle scenes with poignant narratives and an original approach to world-building.
However, a common query among fans is: How many John Wick films exist? There are currently four main films in the John Wick franchise, as well as spin-offs such as Ballerina and The Continental. Let’s examine the development and history of these films in detail, as well as the series’ impact on the action genre.
John Wick’s Birth (2014)
Keanu Reeves played the lead in the first John Wick film, which came out in 2014. Keanu Reeves was well-known for his parts in films like The Matrix and Speed before John Wick, but the movie showed a different side of the actor as a violent, quiet killer.
The first film’s plot is surprisingly straightforward. Retired hitman John Wick is grieving the loss of his wife, Helen, who died of a terminal illness. She made arrangements for a puppy named Daisy as a last gift to help him deal with his loss. However, John Wick comes out of retirement to get revenge after a gang of Russian mobsters led by Iosef Tarasov (played by Alfie Allen) break into Wick’s home, take his car, and murder his dog.
The world of assassins, which is regulated by a stringent code of conduct and rules, most notably the ban on “business” (murder) on neutral grounds (such as hotels), is one of the many myths that are abundant in the world that John Wick introduces. These guidelines would later play a significant role in the series, giving it its distinct character, as would the covert assassin society.
John Wick was praised by critics when it was first released, mostly for Reeves’ performance, the world-building, and the choreography. The film brought life to the action genre by demonstrating that practical effects and hand-to-hand combat had a place even in a time when blockbusters with a lot of computer-generated imagery were the norm.
Chapter 2 of John Wick (2017)
A sequel was unavoidable given the first movie’s success. 2017 saw the release of John Wick: Chapter 2, which carried on the protagonist’s quest to leave his violent past. The film begins immediately after the first, with John Wick attempting to retire once more before being drawn back into the world of assassinations due to a blood oath he took to an old associate, Santino D’Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio).
John is given a mission by Santino, which is to assassinate his sister Gianna so that he can take her place at the High Table, a potent criminal organization. John grudgingly accepts, but after finishing the task, he is betrayed and must battle his way out of a lethal web of intrigue. The world-building created in the first film is further expanded in this film, which is distinguished by powerful, painstakingly choreographed fight scenes and stunning set pieces.
The assassin world’s rules are examined in greater detail in Chapter 2. The Continental, an opulent hotel where “business” is prohibited, is among the most prominent features. In the series, Winston (Ian McShane) leads the Continental, which serves as a neutral area for all assassins. A bounty on John’s head is also introduced in the movie, which foreshadows the mayhem that would occur in later installments.
Another critical and financial triumph, John Wick: Chapter 2 solidified the series’ status as one of the most significant action franchises of its era. It elevated the stakes for John Wick while deepening the assassin world and building upon the series’ mythos.
John Wick: Parabellum, Chapter 3 (2019)
When John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum came out in 2019, the franchise was already well-known throughout the world. The third movie starts right where Chapter 2 left off: after killing Santino D’Antonio on Continental soil, John Wick is deemed “excommunicado,” which means that all assassins are now pursuing him. Wick has nowhere to go and has to battle his way through several enemies to survive with a $14 million bounty on his head.
Several new characters are introduced in the movie, such as Sofia (Halle Berry), an old friend of John’s who owns a hotel in Casablanca that is modeled after a Continental. Additionally, some well-known characters are returned, such as Winston and Laurence Fishburne’s character, the Bowery King. Even more dramatic and intricate than the previous chapters, Chapter 3’s action scenes include a stunning fight between Wick and a gang of assassins in a library and then a horse stable.
The idea of consequences is one of Parabellum’s main themes. After pushing himself to the limit with his brutal retaliation and disobedience of the Continental’s rules in the previous films, John Wick now has to deal with the full repercussions of his choices. John is forced to face not only his past but also the very system that controls the assassin world because the stakes are higher than ever.
Another huge hit, John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum received accolades for its world-building and breathtaking action scenes. John Wick’s status as one of the most recognizable action heroes in movies was cemented by the movie.
Chapter 4 of John Wick (2023)
The fourth installment of the John Wick series, John Wick: Chapter 4, was released in 2023. The film, which was directed by Chad Stahelski, begins with John Wick carrying on his fight against the High Table, the formidable criminal organization that rules the assassin world. John wants to destroy the High Table for good after surviving the events of the last movie, but as the fight for his life and freedom gets more intense, he must contend with both new foes and old allies.
Chapter 4’s emphasis on John’s search for peace is one of its main features. John Wick’s life has grown increasingly perilous and complex with each film, and the fourth explores his inner turmoil as he looks for a solution. The action sequences in the movie are more visually spectacular and explosive than ever before, with each set piece becoming increasingly complex. The stakes are higher than ever before.
Chapter 4 introduces new characters, such as the Marquis (Bill Skarsgård), a strong member of the High Table entrusted with killing John Wick, and the Tracker (Shamier Anderson), a shadowy assassin hired to track down John Wick. Fan favorites like Winston, the Bowery King, and Charon, the Continental’s concierge (played by Lance Reddick), are also returning in the movie.
Reviews for John Wick: Chapter 4 have been overwhelmingly positive as of 2023, with many people complimenting the film’s action, depth, and Keanu Reeves’ performance. It has paved the way for further franchise developments and is generally considered to be among the best entries in the series.
The Continental and Ballerina are the spin-offs.
The Continental and Ballerina are two noteworthy spin-offs that have added to the John Wick universe in addition to the main series.
The Continental (2023)
The Continental, a three-part limited series on Peacock that debuted in 2023, delves into the history of the Continental hotel, which is a neutral location for assassins that is heavily featured in the John Wick films. The show centres on Colin Woodell’s character, Winston Scott, who is a young man, and his quest to take command of the Continental in the 1970s. It delves into the hotel’s early history, its regulations, and the criminal underworld that constitutes John Wick’s universe.
Reviews of the series were mixed to positive, with some praising its stylish ’70s aesthetic and its rich expansion of the John Wick universe, while others criticised its pacing and shallow character development. However, The Continental has made a substantial contribution to the development of the world that John Wick presented, giving fans a more in-depth examination of the incidents and figures that influenced the universe.
Ballerina (2025)
Another spin-off from the John Wick universe is Ballerina (2025), which centres on Eve (played by Ana de Armas), a former ballerina who becomes an assassin and seeks retribution for her family’s murder. The movie explores Eve’s quest for justice as she makes her way through the lethal world of assassins. Ballerina, which was directed by Len Wiseman, shares a world and characters with the main John Wick films.
Overall, Ballerina was well received for its action scenes and Ana de Armas’ portrayal, which gave the universe a new dimension by providing a female assassin’s perspective.
The John Wick Franchise’s Prospects
Although John Wick’s journey comes to a satisfying end in John Wick: Chapter 4, the franchise’s story is far from over. There is a lot more to discover in this universe, especially since the Ballerina spin-off and The Continental series have already expanded the world. The story of John Wick’s struggle against the High Table and the criminal underworld will also continue with the confirmed production of a fifth John Wick movie.
Given the popularity of the franchise and the extensive world-building that has occurred, there is also a chance that there will be more John Wick tie-ins and spin-offs. Beyond the primary film series, there is a lot of room to explore the expansive John Wick universe.
In conclusion
How many John Wick films are there, then? In addition to the spin-off series The Continental (2023) and the movie Ballerina (2025), the series currently consists of four major motion pictures: John Wick (2014), John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019), and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023).
Action moviegoers now have a new kind of hero in the form of a tenacious, expert assassin who is torn between honour and treachery thanks to the John Wick franchise. Fans can anticipate even more intense action and in-depth explorations of the assassination world as the series grows, demonstrating that John Wick’s legacy is far from over.
