How to watch all the John Wick movies in order — and which is the best?

Who would've guessed back in 2014 that John Wick would blow up like this? The first movie drops—just a man and his dog, some sweet gun-fu, and Keanu being peak Keanu. Next thing you know, we’re knee-deep in a whole underground world of assassins with gold coins, blood oaths, and hotels that make the Ritz look like a Motel 6.

What started as a revenge flick just spiraled into a massive universe with spin-offs, TV shows, and the whole chaos. Keanu Reeves is straight-up possessed by the spirit of John Wick. And those action scenes are like ballet but with bullets and broken noses.

John Wick isn’t just about watching people get thrown through the glass in slow-mo, the movies reshaped action flicks—suddenly everyone’s trying to do “gun-fu,” everyone’s wearing black suits with skinny ties, and neo-noir is cool again.

The filmmakers sweat the details, too. There’s this whole assassin code, weird Continental hotels, and somehow they make it all feel deep, not just window dressing. And every new movie adds more eccentrics and rules, so you never really know what’s next.

So, here’s what you’re in for: a guide to binging all the John Wick movies in the right order, a look at how the story and style keep evolving, and, we’ll settle the question—Which John Wick is THE John Wick?

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An overview of the John Wick franchise

When John Wick dropped in 2014, it hit like a sledgehammer through all those CGI-smothered superhero flicks. Chad Stahelski just tossed Keanu Reeves into this whirlwind of practical stunts and those satisfying long takes where you actually see what’s going on. None of that shaky cam. And the story sounds simple.

Guy loses his dog (his dead wife’s last present), some punks steal his car, and, he’s back in the game, painting the town red. That’s it on the surface. But, there’s this whole secret world bubbling underneath—fancy coins, secret societies, their own little rules.

Now we’ve got a whole buffet of sequels, spin-offs, prequels—basically, the John Wick Cinematic Universe is turning into its own beast. Four main movies, and by the looks of it, they’re not slowing down.

What sets Wick apart? There’s this assassin code—break it and, well, good luck. The High Table pulling the strings, mysterious hotels where killing’s off-limits, and those gold coins that feel like Monopoly money for murderers.

None of that world-building feels tacked on, either. It’s baked into every decision these people make. That’s what lifts John Wick out of the usual mindless action sludge and makes it something you actually wanna talk about after the credits roll.

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Watching the John Wick movies in order

If you wanna dive into the world of John Wick, just watch the movies in the order they were released. The story makes way more sense that way. Each movie just piles more chaos and intrigue on top of what came before, so jumping around would just make your brain hurt.

Sure, now they’re spitting out prequels and spin-offs, so if you’re a die-hard completionist, maybe you’ll wanna mess with the timeline, but release order’s the move for basically everyone.

Here’s the rundown:

The whole thing kicks off with the OG John Wick in 2014—Keanu’s sad, he’s lost his wife, and then someone messes with his dog. Big mistake. Now, there's a whole lot of shooting, headshots, and those gold coins.

Then you get John Wick: Chapter 2 in 2017, where there are a bunch more rules and even crazier villains. It just gets messier for John.

Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) picks up right where Chapter 2 left off. John’s excommunicated, every assassin in the world wants him dead, and he’s running for his life.

Then fast-forward about eight months, and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) drops, and things get even more over-the-top.

Now, for the extras: There’s Ballerina (released in 2025), which jumps in between Chapters 3 and 4. It’s got a new assassin out for revenge, but John shows up for a cameo. And if you’re into lore, The Continental (2023) is a prequel TV show that digs into the history of that fancy hitman hotel.

Watching in release order is your best bet. Mixing things up can get confusing and take away from the full experience.

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Recommended viewing order

Release order:

John Wick (2014)

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

Ballerina (2025)

The Continental (2023, optional prequel series)

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Chronological order:

The Continental (2023, prequel)

John Wick (2014)

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)

Ballerina (2025, set between 3 & 4)

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

If you’re on the hunt for the John Wick movies, you’ve got options. They’re floating around everywhere: Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, and sometimes they’ll just randomly pop up on Netflix. It kind of also depends on where you live, so you’ll wanna double-check what’s streaming in your neck of the woods.

Or go old-school and grab a Blu-ray if you’re into physical media.

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Film-by-film analysis

John Wick (2014)

The OG John Wick features Keanu Reeves, grieving, minding his own business, and then some individuals jack his car and kill his dog. Not just any dog, either. This is the last piece of his wife, and these guys just stomp all over it.

The plot’s simple, but that’s the magic. The fights are crisp, stylized, and somehow almost balletic. Critics loved it, especially Keanu’s stone-cold focus and the movie’s neon-soaked vibe.

Socials exploded over the soundtrack and the sheer coolness. Suddenly, everyone wanted to dress in black suits and talk about Baba Yaga.

The film resurrected Keanu’s career. Plus, it changed how Hollywood does action—everybody started chasing that John Wick flavor.

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John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

So, John can’t catch a break. He’s dragged back in—again—because of this blood oath thing, and everyone’s out to get him. The world gets bigger: more rules, more secret societies, and that wild “marker” system.

Critics loved the way it turned the Wick-verse into this sprawling, rule-laden playground. The Rome set pieces are on point. That finale in the mirror maze is trippy and awesome.

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John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)

Now John’s been kicked out by the assassin club—officially “excommunicado.” There’s a $14 million bounty on his head, and you better believe everybody wants a piece.

You get library fights, horse chases through New York, and Halle Berry with attack dogs. The action’s bonkers, the world-building is nuts, and the humor gets a little darker.

Social media couldn’t stop talking about the opening horse scene. Plus, we meet new power players like the Adjudicator and the Elder, so the secret society just gets more frenzied.

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John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

Four movies in, and somehow, it just keeps getting better. John takes the fight global—Paris, Berlin, Tokyo. People are calling it the best of the bunch, and it’s hard to argue. The set pieces are massive (Arc de Triomphe shootout), and the emotional element lands.

The movie is almost three hours long, but nobody is complaining because it just rips from start to finish. The way they wrap up John’s story is surprisingly touching, too.

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Ballerina (2025)

Ana de Armas as Rooney, another assassin with a grudge. Set between 3 and 4, and diving into the whole Ruska Roma vibe. Keanu and some OGs pop up, but Rooney’s front and center.

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The Continental (2023, TV Prequel)

This miniseries goes way back to the 70s. It’s all about the origin of the Continental Hotel and Winston Scott’s rise. Not essential if you’re just in it for Wick, but if you’re a lore nerd, it’s a goldmine.

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Which John Wick movie is the best?

If we're just going off numbers, people are obsessed with John Wick: Chapter 4. The Rotten Tomatoes score is through the roof (94%), and critics fell over themselves praising the action and the way it wraps up John’s whole saga.

It’s got the flashiest fights and the wildest set pieces, and it just feels like the filmmakers emptied the tank on this one.

That said, you’ll find die-hard fans for every movie. Some folks swear by the first one—can’t beat that raw, stripped-down revenge vibe. Others dig Chapters 2 and 3 for all the insane world-building.

The bottom line is that the “Best” is kind of a mess—it’s all about what you’re into. Want emotional gut punches? Go with the original. Love lore and high-stakes chaos? Parts 2 and 3 are your jam. Just want to see Keanu Reeves outdo himself yet again? Chapter 4’s your ticket.