The “John Wick series review” query has spiked in 2025, fueled by the release of From the World of John Wick: Ballerina on June 6, which grossed over $150 million worldwide and earned a Certified Fresh 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. With Keanu Reeves’ Baba Yaga still the gold standard of action cinema, the franchise—now a billion-dollar empire—boasts four main films, a prequel series, and expanding spin-offs. From the 2014 puppy-revenge thriller that launched it all to Chapter 4’s epic 169-minute spectacle, the John Wick series redefined gun-fu, blending balletic fights, absurd world-building, and Reeves’ stoic charm.
John Wick series review ranks all entries, breaks down strengths/weaknesses, and analyzes why it’s the most consistent action saga since Die Hard. With Ballerina proving the universe’s staying power (despite mixed reviews calling it “the weakest but still one of 2025’s best action films”), we cover Rotten Tomatoes scores, box office, and fan takes from X. Whether you’re rewatching for Chapter 5 hype or discovering the High Table, this guide has everything.
What Makes the John Wick Series Special?
John Wick isn’t just action—it’s a love letter to stuntwork, with director Chad Stahelski (a Reeves’ Matrix stunt double) choreographing fights like “ballets of blood.” The series’ hallmarks: Innovative gun-fu (blending martial arts and marksmanship), a Byzantine assassin underworld (High Table, Continental hotels, gold coins), and Reeves’ minimalism (“Yeah” as dialogue gold). No CGI crutches—practical effects shine, from Chapter 4’s Paris staircase slaughter to Ballerina’s ballet-inspired kills.
Critics praise consistency: 86% average RT score across films, with Chapter 4 at 94% (“piles on more of everything—never too much Keanu dispatching enemies in balletic style”). Fans on X call it “most consistently good film series,” with Ballerina earning 4/5 stars for “fierce Ana de Armas and creative fights.” Box office: $1 billion+ total, Chapter 4’s $440 million leading. It’s not flawless—plot thinness irks some—but the spectacle endures.
John Wick Series Timeline: From 2014 to 2025
The saga spans a decade, with Ballerina fitting between Chapters 3 and 4:
| Year | Title | Director | RT Score | Box Office (Global) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | John Wick | Chad Stahelski | 86% | $86M |
| 2017 | Chapter 2 | Chad Stahelski | 89% | $171M |
| 2019 | Chapter 3 – Parabellum | Chad Stahelski | 89% | $327M |
| 2023 | Chapter 4 | Chad Stahelski | 94% | $440M |
| 2025 | Ballerina (Spin-Off) | Len Wiseman | 85% | $150M+ (Ongoing) |
The Continental (2023 miniseries) prequels 1970s hotel origins, scoring 70% RT but criticized as “bizarre misfire.” Upcoming: Chapter 5 (new storyline, no High Table focus), Caine spin-off (Donnie Yen), anime prequel, and Under the High Table series.
John Wick Series Review: Individual Movie Breakdowns
John Wick (2014)
Reeves shines as retired hitman John Wick, pulled back after thugs kill his dog (gifted by his late wife). Plot: Simple revenge, but Stahelski’s debut dazzles with club shootouts and car chases. RT: 86% (“stylish, thrilling return for Keanu—franchise starter”). Strengths: Inventive fights, Michael Nyqvist’s villainy. Weaknesses: Thin plot, but “plots don’t matter—stories do.” Fan take: “Best action movie with constant intensity—incredible stunts.” 8.5/10 – Perfect origin.
John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
Wick repays a blood oath, delving into the Continental and High Table. RT: 89% (“doubles down on thrilling choreography—sequel perfection”). Strengths: Catacomb pencil kills, Riccardo Scamarcio’s Santino. Weaknesses: Escalating absurdity risks parody. Fan take: “Expanded world, non-stop action—Keanu at his best.” 9/10 – Franchise peak.
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)
Excommunicated, Wick fights for survival with Halle Berry’s Sofia. RT: 89% (“fast-paced prelude to Chapter 4—horse-fu and book-fu shine”). Strengths: Mark Dacascos’ Zero, diverse fights. Weaknesses: Overlong mythology. Fan take: “Nonstop extravagant—progressive world-building.” 8.5/10 – Solid escalation.
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
Wick challenges the High Table in a global odyssey. RT: 94% (“revolutionary action—balletic, never too much Keanu”). Strengths: Paris staircase, Bill Skarsgård’s Marquis. Weaknesses: 169-minute runtime. Fan take: “Best action franchise—evolves with humor and spectacle.” 9.5/10 – Magnum opus.
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (2025)
Ana de Armas’ Eve seeks revenge in Ruska Roma traditions, set between Chapters 3-4. RT: 85% (“creative fights, funny duels—worthy spin-off, best of 2025 action”). Strengths: De Armas’ fierceness, Keanu cameo, ballet-gun-fu. Weaknesses: Slow start, generic plot. Fan take: “Lives up to the franchise—Ana carries it, must-see.” 8/10 – Strong expansion.
John Wick Series Ranked: From Worst to Best
Based on RT scores, box office, fan sentiment, and innovation:
- Chapter 4 (2023): 94% RT, $440M – Epic scale, revolutionary fights.
- Chapter 2 (2017): 89% RT, $171M – World-building peak, pencil kills iconic.
- Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019): 89% RT, $327M – Diverse action, Halle Berry shines.
- John Wick (2014): 86% RT, $86M – Flawless origin, pure revenge bliss.
- Ballerina (2025): 85% RT, $150M+ – Fresh spin-off, de Armas elevates.
The Continental Prequel Series (2023): Quick Review
The Continental: From the World of John Wick (3 episodes) explores 1970s hotel origins with Colin Woodell as young Winston. RT: 70% (“bizarre misfire—swaps Reeves for Mel Gibson, lacks Wick’s spark”). Strengths: 1970s vibe, cameos. Weaknesses: Uneven pacing, forgettable. 6/10 – Fun for die-hards, but not essential.
Why the John Wick Series Review in 2025 Still Holds Up
In 2025, post-Ballerina, the series’ legacy shines: Practical stunts inspire (Stahelski’s doc Wick Is Pain details Reeves’ training), and consistency trumps Marvel’s sprawl (“most consistently good series”). Chapter 4’s “balletic style” redefined action; Ballerina adds female-led fury without diluting Wick’s essence. X fans rave: “Ballerina’s action better than ever.” It’s not just fights—it’s a universe of gold coins and unbreakable codes.
Common Criticisms and Fan Debates in the John Wick Series
Critics note plot thinness (“plots don’t matter”) and runtime bloat (Chapter 4’s 169 minutes). Fans debate: Is Ballerina “weakest but best 2025 action”? Violence gratuitous? (Body count: 439 across films.) Yet, X consensus: “Unmatched consistency.”
Future of the John Wick Universe: Chapter 5, Anime, and More
Chapter 5 (TBD 2026-2027) shifts from High Table to new storyline, with Reeves returning. Caine spin-off (Donnie Yen), anime prequel, and Under the High Table series expand the lore. Stahelski: “Radically different—grief-focused.” Ballerina’s success ($150M+) greenlights more spin-offs.
FAQs About John Wick Series Review
What is the John Wick series review consensus? Highly positive: 86-94% RT average, praised for action choreography and world-building. Ballerina (2025) at 85%: “Creative fights, worthy spin-off.”
Which John Wick movie is the best? Chapter 4 (2023): 94% RT, “revolutionary—balletic Keanu.” Fans agree: “Unforgettable spectacle.”
Is Ballerina a good addition to the John Wick series? Yes, 85% RT: “Ana de Armas carries it—funny, bloody fights; best 2025 action despite slow start.”
How many John Wick movies are there in 2025? 5: 4 main + Ballerina spin-off. The Continental series (2023) prequels.
When is John Wick 5 coming out? TBD 2026-2027; new storyline, no High Table focus.
Conclusion
The John Wick series review in 2025 reaffirms its throne as action royalty: From 2014’s puppy-fueled fury to Ballerina’s vengeful ballet, it’s a masterclass in stuntcraft and style. Chapter 4 reigns supreme (94% RT, $440M), but Ballerina’s 85% proves the universe thrives beyond Reeves. With Chapter 5, anime, and spin-offs incoming, Baba Yaga’s legacy endures—practical, balletic, unbreakable. Rewatch on Netflix or catch Ballerina in theaters. What’s your favorite? Share on X: #JohnWickSeriesReview
