The John Wick franchise isn’t just a movie series; it’s an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride that mixes intense action, deep emotions, and unforgettable moments. Thanks to Keanu Reeves, we’ve come to know John Wick as the ultimate assassin—a master of sleek, stylized combat. Once you enter his world, there’s no going back. But with all the heart-pounding chaos across multiple films, you might be asking yourself: where do you even begin (or restart) this wild journey?
Whether you’re diving into the saga for the first time or gearing up for a rewatch, this guide will help you find the perfect order to experience every twist and turn of John Wick. Get ready, because this isn’t just about watching films—it’s about stepping into the boots of a man who is both legend and myth.
The Perfect Chronological Order to Experience the Aura of John Wick!
Following the chronological order to watch John Wick franchise is pretty straightforward. Especially the four main movies in the franchise. The first four John Wick instalment takes place within roughly the same year. Though the timeline is not clearly defined, but it is supposed to be somewhere between 2014 to 2015. This is to create a significant relationship with the first movie release.
Advertisement The current and planned spin-offs disturbs the timeline in actual. The prequel spin-off TV show is set in 1970s but was released in 2023. This showcases the story of Winston and how he became the man seen in the core films. Similary, another upcoming spin-off is due in 2025, but it showcases the timeline in between John Wick chapter 3 and 4.
Here is the perfect John Wick movies in chronological order:
| Movie/Show | Year/Decade In Universe | Release Year | |
| #1 | The Continental | 1970s | 2023 |
| #2 | John Wick | 2014 or 2015 | 2014 |
| #3 | John Wick: Chapter 2 | 2014 or 2015 | 2017 |
| #4 | John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum | 2014 or 2015 | 2019 |
| #5 | Ballerina | 2014 or 2015 | 2025 |
| #6 | John Wick: Chapter 4 | 2014 or 2015 | 2023 |
John Wick Movies and Spinoffs in Order of Events
With four main films, a prequel series, and several upcoming spin-off projects, there has never been a better time to be a John Wick fan. There arguably hasn’t been a weak installment in the franchise yet. and some may be looking to revisit this story from start to finish or get on the bandwagon to see it for the first time.
Check out all the John Wick movies in order of their release to catch up with the world of the most dangerous hitman.
The Continental: A Thrilling 1970s TV Show Set in the John Wick Universe
| Director(s) | Albert Hughes, Charlotte Brändström |
| Cast | Mel Gibson, Colin Woodell, Mishel Prada, Ben Robson |
| Release Date | September 22, 2023 |
| IMDb Rating | 7.2/10 |
| Streaming Channel | Peacock |
It is a spinoff which takes place over 40 years before the John Wick events. In this miniseries, Winston Scott appears as a young man. He is going to war against Cormax (Mel Gibson) to take revenge for his brothers death and planning to getting back The Continental.
Though the assassin hotel isn’t much glamorous as it shows in the John Wick films, due to labor strikes, criminal activities and corruption in the streets of New York. However, it still shows the origin of the story. It tells the Winston’s High Table backstory and shows how the hotel became the most powerful Continental in the world.
John Wick 1, 2, & 3: The Action That Took Place Within a Single Week
The first three films of John Wick franchise had very minimal gap. It seems like just a week or two passed between the start of John Wick and the end of John Wick Chapter 3 – Parabellum.
Well, we figured the first three movies almost happened in like a week, week and a half, somewhere in there.
by Chad Stahelski
The fast-paced events happening in such a short amount of time create a sense of urgency and tension. Let’s find out what happend in those events chapter-wise:
1. John Wick (2014): The Beginning of the Vengeance Saga
| Director(s) | Chad Stahelski |
| Cast | Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Bridget Moynahan, and more |
| Release Date | October 24, 2014 |
| IMDb Rating | 7.4/10 |
| Streaming Channel | Amazon Prime |
The story begins, when the son of John Wick’s former employer kills a puppy. The puppy was given to John after his beloved wife’s death. This lit the fire and brought the set off an events which shook the Baba Yaga out of him.
Despite of being most wanted, John goes after him, along with his entire group. This situation creates tension and a sense of urgency as well.
2. John Wick Chapter 2 (2017): A Deadly Favor and a Global Hunt
| Director(s) | Chad Stahelski |
| Cast | Keanu Reeves, Common, Laurence Fishburne, Riccardo Scamarcio, and more |
| Release Date | February 10, 2017 |
| IMDb Rating | 7.4/10 |
| Streaming Channel | Amazon Prime, Apple TV |
In second chapter, John faced consequences after killing Viggo Tarasov. He asked The Continental manager – Winston (Ian McShane) for help. Winston reminds him about the code of conduct in their world.
John was approached by Santino D’ Antonio and asked for a favor of killing Santino’s sister in Rome. This call shattered John peace and led him being declared as excommunicado. He also had a bounty of $14 million on his head. Now every assassian is after him and John is fighting for his life. Eventually, he faked his death to escapte and planned to take down the High Table.
3. John Wick Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019): A Fight for Survival and Revenge
| Director(s) | Chad Stahelski |
| Cast | Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Laurence Fishburne, Mark Dacascos, and more |
| Release Date | May 17, 2019 |
| IMDb Rating | 7.4 |
| Streaming Channel | Amazon Prime, Apple TV |
The third chapter of this franchise continues the momentum of the previous films. No major time jumps seen in this chapter. After John is excommunicated, he’s forced to fight against an army of assassins. They are after the $14 million bounty on his head.
This chapter keeps the tension high, with John embarking on a globe-trotting journey. This journey leds him to finally confront the High Table and end the deadly cycle once and for all.
4. John Wick’s Ballerina Spinoff: Set Between Chapters 3 and 4
| Director(s) | Len Wiseman |
| Cast | Ana De Armas, Keanu Reeves, Lance Reddick, Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston |
| Release Date | June 6, 2025 |
| IMDb Rating | N/A |
| Streaming Channel | N/A |
The upcoming John Wick spin-off, John Wick Presents: Ballerina is expected to release in 2025. It is set between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4. The film follows Ana de Armas as Rooney – she is a ballerina training to become an assassin like Baba Yaga.
Rooney’s story connects with the main John Wick series, with Keanu Reeves making a small appearance to guide her journey. According to Entertainment Weekly, Reeves decided when the spin-off would take place, which helped shape how Armas’s character fits into the John Wick timeline and how involved Reeves would be.
Armas has been training quite extensively for her own action sequences that will no doubt rival the original film.
By Keanu Reeves
5. John Wick Chapter 4: Set Six Months After Chapter 3
| Director(s) | Chad Stahelski |
| Cast | Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, and more |
| Release Date | March 24, 2023 |
| IMDb Rating | 7.6 |
| Streaming Channel | Starz |
John Wick: Chapter 4 takes place six months after John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. He had a brutal battle with High Table’s forces and got shot by Winston. John recovers with the Bowery King before plotting his revenge.
It was appropriate to highlight that even John Wick needs to recover and contemplate his next move against the High Table.
by Chad Stahelski
John decides to take on the High Table head-on. They send Marquis Vincent de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård) to duel him, with freedom on the line. The film marks a return to the original’s focus on John actively seeking revenge, rather than just being hunted by his enemies.
Why Should You Watch the John Wick Movies in Order?
The John Wick series isn’t just about jaw-dropping stunts and incredible fight scenes. It tells a story—a gritty, emotional journey of a man seeking justice and redemption. Watching the John Wick movies in order ensures you won’t miss any key moments.
From his initial motive to avenge his beloved dog to unraveling a hidden underworld of assassins, every detail builds on the last. So, buckle up and get ready to dive into one of the most epic action franchises of all time.
FAQs
As of now, John Wick 5 has not been confirmed as the final film. There are discussions about the future of the franchise.
The best John Wick movie is subjective. Many fans consider Chapter 2 or Chapter 4 to be the strongest due to their action and storytelling.
There are currently four John Wick movies. The fifth installment is in discussion, along with spin-offs.
John Wick: Chapter 4 is not confirmed as the final film. It serves as a significant turning point in the franchise.
No, Winston is not John Wick’s father. He is a trusted ally and friend who runs The Continental Hotel.
John Wick: Chapter 2 is often considered superior by fans due to its expanded world-building and intense action sequences.
Conclusion: The Future of the John Wick Franchise
In the end, now you must understand why its essential to watch John Wick movies in order. The John Wick franchise started in 2014 and successfully blended the old-school cool of ’80s action heroes with a touch of modern thrill in cinema. As the franchise grew, Wick’s thirst for vengeance went beyond avenging his dog’s death. He explored the themes of loyalty and betrayal as he takes on the entire world single-handedly.
There are four movies to watch in a particular order if you want to initiate yourself into the John Wick fandom. So grab your popcorn and watch John Wick movies in order before the new chapter releases!