John Wick Trilogy Surges on HBO Max, Ignites Streaming Charts

Few action franchises have left as lasting a mark as the John Wick series, and now its original trilogy is storming the streaming charts once more. First released in 2014, the debut film didn’t just surprise audiences—it completely upended the action movie playbook, setting a new standard for the genre. Its influence can be seen in later hits like Atomic Blonde and Extraction. Each new installment built on the last, with the fourth film smashing box office records. But it’s the first three films—the core trilogy—that are now enjoying a major resurgence on streaming platforms.

Currently, the John Wick trilogy is available on HBO Max, where it’s climbing the weekly rankings. As of this week, the first film holds the number two spot among the platform’s most-watched movies, with John Wick: Chapter 2 right behind in third place. Only Leonardo DiCaprio ’s One Battle After Another sits above them. Meanwhile, John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum lands at number five, just behind Twilight.

Origins and Creative Team

The John Wick universe was brought to life by screenwriter Derek Kolstad. The first film was co-directed by Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, both of whom have backgrounds as stunt performers. After the initial movie, Leitch stepped back from directing but continued as an executive producer, while Stahelski took the reins for the sequels. The franchise ’s lead, Keanu Reeves, is instantly recognizable as the relentless former hitman. For those unfamiliar, Reeves plays a retired assassin who’s pulled back into the criminal underworld after a group of mobsters kills his dog and steals his car—a motive that’s become iconic in its own right.

The official synopsis for the first film reads:

"Legendary assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) retired from his violent career after marrying the love of his life. Her sudden death leaves John in deep mourning. When sadistic mobster Iosef Tarasov (Alfie Allen) and his thugs steal John's prized car and kill the puppy that was a last gift from his wife, John unleashes the remorseless killing machine within and seeks vengeance. Meanwhile, Iosef's father (Michael Nyqvist) — John's former colleague — puts a huge bounty on John's head."

Box Office Triumphs and Critical Acclaim

Building a successful action series is no small feat, but this franchise managed to outdo itself with every new release. The first film was both a critical and commercial hit, earning an 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes and grossing $86 million worldwide. The numbers only soared from there: the fourth installment boasts a 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating and raked in over $447 million globally. According to IMDb user ratings, the original trilogy stands as the highest-rated action series ever made.

Spin-Offs and Expanding the Universe

While the main films have been celebrated, the franchise’s spin-offs haven’t enjoyed the same level of success. The Continental, a prequel series on Peacock, received mixed reactions from both viewers and critics, with even some original cast members voicing their disappointment. The Ana de Armas-led spin-off, Ballerina, fared a bit better, pulling in $137 million worldwide and earning a 75% Rotten Tomatoes score. Still, most fans and critics agree it didn’t quite capture the magic of the main trilogy.