A Ranked Guide to John Wick–Inspired Movies

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The original publication date for this article was August 16, 2022. Following the release of the newest imitation of the John Wick series, titled Love Hurts, we’ve revised our list accordingly.

Initially, the first “John Wick” film took you by surprise. It stood out as the least profitable movie in the series, appearing similar to numerous other action films until it was watched. However, upon viewing, two facts became evident: More “John Wick” movies would be produced, and a multitude of films would attempt to emulate its style.

Everybody recognizes the distinctive features of a John Wick-style movie, whether it’s authentic or an imitation. These films usually star a lone protagonist who is grappling with a tumultuous past and yearning for peace. However, they are compelled to embark on a vengeance quest following an injustice done to them (or their beloved pet). They encounter a sinister group of faceless yet intimidating adversaries (frequently Russians) who meet their end in creative and elaborate manners. The plot is intricate, revealing its layers gradually throughout the movie. Naturally, the action sequences are thrilling and unique, although they have been replicated so often that they’ve started to resemble one another. And lastly, a sequel is always hinted at in these films.

For almost ten years now, Hollywood has been diligently searching for another action hero akin to John Wick, with varying levels of achievement. In fact, Netflix seems to be continuously producing imitators. The creators of John Wick are even on the hunt for their own successor. Here, we examine the films that attempt to capture the essence of John Wick, or simply his box office revenue.

12.
 Love Hurts (2025)

After winning an Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once, Ke Huy Quan found himself in a surprising predicament – his latest film, initially promising, turned out to be a disappointing flop. This movie, resembling the structure of Nobody (which you’ll find further on this list), casts Quan as a passive character with a hidden past. Intriguingly, he was once an accomplished action enforcer! However, his past catches up with him in the story. First-time director Jonathan Eusebio delivers the typical dose of chaos – gunfights, explosive actions, and comedic elements intertwined with fight sequences – but it fails to create much excitement. Regrettably, the romantic aspect between Quan’s character and Ariana DeBose’s (a woman who should have gone into hiding years ago) is more about arguments than flirtation, squandering their captivating charm. It’s disheartening that Quan’s anticipated action-comedy debut may not succeed, but if it does, it might signal the need for hyperviolent B-movies to come up with more innovative ideas – and soon.

11.
Day Shift (2022)

The movie “Day Shift” that Jamie Foxx stars in is an action-horror-comedy similar to “John Wick,” as it creatively imagines a world where vampires are causing chaos in the San Fernando Valley, necessitating a group of secretive vampire hunters whose mission is to eliminate them all. Chad Stahelski, director of “John Wick,” and frequent composer Tyler Bates produced this film. In “Day Shift,” we have the usual over-the-top action scenes mixed with a casual sense of humor that makes it clear not to take things too seriously. Jamie Foxx and Dave Franco share some fun moments as partners, but the movie lacks the cleverness and originality found in “John Wick.” J.J. Perry, who did stunt work on the first two “Wick” films, directed this movie, which is a fairly standard genre film. It’s notable that Snoop Dogg, playing a tight-lipped gun-wielding hunter, gives one of the best performances in the movie.

10.
The Mother (2023)

Over the years, Netflix has been known for producing typical action movies starring familiar faces, with actions similar to those seen in real films, yet lacking originality or boldness. The movie titled The Mother allowed Jennifer Lopez to take on a role reminiscent of Keanu Reeves, portraying an ex-assassin – She’s the Mother! – who ventures out from the freezing cold of Alaska to save her kidnapped child, whom she had given up for adoption years ago to keep her safe. This mission involves numerous motorcycle chases and snowmobile battles that draw inspiration from the intense, over-the-top style of John Wick, but despite Lopez’s best efforts, this film struggles to stand out due to its familiarity with past action movies. The director of Whale Rider, Niki Caro, tries to explore the idea that no one is a more formidable warrior than a mother defending her child, but even so, The Mother is an average event film attempting to capitalize on popular action trends.

9.
Hotel Artemis (2018)

Titled “Hotel Artemis,” this film, scripted by Drew Pearce who later penned the screenplay for David Leitch’s “The Fall Guy,” offers an intriguing twist on the concept of the Continental hotel from “John Wick.” Instead of a hotel, it presents a hospital setting. Moreover, it seems to have eschewed the action-packed sequences that are characteristic of the “John Wick” franchise. The ensemble cast, including stars like Jodie Foster, Sterling K. Brown, Brian Tyree Henry, Dave Bautista, Charlie Day, and Jenny Slate, appears surprisingly listless in their performances, with only Foster’s nuanced portrayal managing to retain a semblance of grace. Similar to the “The Continental” series, “Hotel Artemis” appears to prioritize world-building within the “John Wick” universe over action. However, unlike the series, it fails to capture our interest in this aspect as much as we care for the fighting sequences. This film serves as a clear demonstration of this fact.

8.
Silent Night (2023)

In 2023, Jesse Hassenger from GQ posed the question: “Could the character John Wick exist without John Woo?” This was in reference to renowned Hong Kong action director John Woo, who returned to American filmmaking after 20 years with Silent Night, a revenge thriller that bears similarities to the John Wick series. In this film, Joel Kinnaman plays Brian, an ordinary man transformed into a powerful warrior following the tragic death of his son. Since Brian becomes permanently mute as a result, the movie is mostly dialogue-free, which is unusual for action films but in line with what audiences love about Woo’s work: the dynamic gunplay and captivating slow-motion sequences. However, while Silent Night includes some of these elements, they are not as groundbreaking as in his earlier classics. One can’t help but wish that Woo would set aside the forgettable gimmicks typical of B-movies (like the no-talking premise) and instead create a John Wick spinoff, which would combine the best aspects of both worlds.

7.
Bullet Train (2022)

In his reunion with Brad Pitt, whom he worked with on “Fight Club” as a stunt double, director David Leitch saw “Bullet Train” as an opportunity to break free from the constraints of the “John Wick” genre. To his credit, Leitch manages to step out of that mold, but unfortunately, ends up trapped in another. Indeed, “Bullet Train” seems like a deliberate exploration of the Tarantino/Ritchie formula, gathering an eclectic group of underworld characters who are all on the same train. The dialogue is quick and witty, much like the bullets it depicts. Pitt, along with talented actors like Brian Tyree Henry, Michael Shannon, and others, strive to emulate the casual cool of “Pulp Fiction,” but their efforts feel forced. Even the fight scenes appear unoriginal. Leitch demonstrates he’s got a lot of style, but originality and depth are in short supply.

6.
Kate (2021)

In this action-thriller titled “Kate,” Mary Elizabeth Winstead assumes the role of a lethal assassin, diagnosed with a poison that gives her only 24 hours to live. The film’s director, Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, known for “The Huntsman: Winter’s War,” creates a gritty, neon-lit environment where Winstead’s hand-to-hand combat skills shine. However, the movie, produced by Chad Stahelski, is a moderately forgettable Netflix production marred by typical B-movie cliches. One such cliche involves Winstead forming a bond with a young woman (Miku Martineau) she must protect throughout the film. Despite Winstead’s captivating performance as Kate, who weakens due to the poison’s effects, “Kate” never transcends its familiar plotlines and predictable twists. A well-known actor delivers a minor supporting role, hinting at a more significant part in the narrative than initially suggested. With minimal expectations, viewers might find it less disappointing.

5.
Monkey Man (2024)

In this film, Dev Patel, both as actor and director, portrays the lead role in a deeply personal project centered around a man seeking vengeance against those who murdered his mother and destroyed his village when he was young. The movie demonstrates Patel’s impressive action abilities and growing prowess as a leading figure. However, structurally, the film feels somewhat formless: The narrative doesn’t fully develop until well into the movie, and the transformation of Patel’s character from an aspiring individual to a world-destructor occurs swiftly and without proper buildup, giving off a “Happy can now putt” impression. Despite its noble intentions and Patel’s captivating presence on screen, the film struggles to break free from its Netflix-esque generic four-quadrant mold.

4.
Violent Night (2022)

The concept is straightforward: Imagine Santa Claus transformed into a tough, grouchy character, and place him in an action-packed movie that combines elements of “Die Hard” and “Home Alone.” In this film titled “Violent Night“, David Harbour portrays Santa as a blend of John Wick’s ruthlessness and John McClane’s wit, delivering humorous one-liners while simultaneously cracking skulls. The movie, produced by Leitch’s company, 87North, offers an explanation for why Santa Claus is such an exceptional fighter, which adds to the film’s appeal. Despite its simple premise, the movie delivers more than expected, balancing escalating violence with a heartwarming message about cherishing the holiday spirit. To put it another way: The Santa from “Miracle on 34th Street” wouldn’t have slain nearly as many villains as this Santa does.

3.
Nobody (2021)

As a passionate cinephile, I’ve got to share some insights about Derek Kolstad, the mastermind behind every John Wick film – and only John Wick movies, excluding 2023’s John Wick 4. Now, while he might seem like a one-trick pony with his style, it doesn’t diminish the enjoyment I get from his work. The recent release, Nobody, is a testament to this. It’s got that familiar feel of John Wick, but with Bob Odenkirk as the mild-mannered dad who hides a ruthless assassin within, making it an engaging watch during these pandemic times. However, let’s be honest, it leans a bit too heavily on the John Wick formula. We’ve got the Russian bad guys, the deadpan one-liners, the intense action sequences, and even a ‘One Good Man’ pushed to his limits. Yet, watching Saul Goodman (Odenkirk) dish out brutal justice for two hours is an unending spectacle. Despite the strong resemblance to John Wick, I wouldn’t bet on a sequel given how hard Odenkirk pushes those boundaries!

2.
Sisu (2023)

The essence of John Wick’s cool lies in the undeniable truth: He seems virtually indestructible. (Though that was challenged in the last movie, we’ll see if that continues.) Regardless of the harm inflicted upon him, he persists. The Finnish World War II film ‘Sisu‘ explores this concept to its maximum extent: What if a man is absolutely invincible? Jorma Tomilla portrays the protagonist, a Finnish miner merely attempting to return home with his wealth during the war’s final stages, who encounters Nazis, then more Nazis, and then even more Nazis … It’s fair to say that significantly fewer Nazis survive by the film’s end than at its beginning. As the movie progresses, its absurdity escalates in a violent, over-the-top manner that is undeniably entertaining: At one point, Sisu annihilates a plane. The film maintains this atmosphere like an old spaghetti western, its humor subtly hinted at: It’s a joy to watch.

1.
Atomic Blonde (2017)

Do you recall the animated series titled “Aeon Flux”? Charlize Theron’s exceptional talent for action roles, marked by her impressive physique and intense charisma, was evident even when the series faltered in 2005. After the success of “Mad Max: Fury Road” with Theron as Furiosa, it seemed only natural that she would land a role like John Wick. This led to the release of “Atomic Blonde,” which also marked the first solo directing venture for David Leitch following his collaboration with Chad Stahelski on “John Wick.” In this film, Theron’s ability to portray both cold detachment and a vulnerable soul, combined with her proficiency in delivering powerful punches, makes her character Lorraine particularly fitting. The intricate yet chaotic fight scenes, while the plot may blur, remain etched in memory. Could we possibly see a team-up between John Wick and Lorraine in the future?

Grierson & Leitch frequently discuss films and run a podcast centered around cinema. To stay updated, consider following them on Twitter or checking out their website.

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2025-02-08 20:55