John Wick Movies in Order: Release Order, Ballerina Timeline and What Comes Next

Watch the John Wick movies in release order: John Wick (2014), Chapter 2 (2017), Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) and Chapter 4 (2023). Then add the spin-off Ballerina (2025), which is set between Chapters 3 and 4. That gives you the complete story so far, and The Continental is optional extra context.

This guide covers all four main films, where Ballerina, The Continental, the games and the comics fit, and what is confirmed about Caine, Chapter 5 and the other projects. It is spoiler-free.

John Wick movies in release order

Dates are US release dates as listed on Wikipedia. David Leitch worked closely with Stahelski on the first film, but the Directors Guild of America credited only Stahelski as director, with Leitch as a producer. Streaming availability changes by country and service, so check your local provider.

Chronological order: where Ballerina fits

The four main films are told in release order. Ballerina is the only entry that breaks it:

1. John Wick (2014)
2. Chapter 2 (2017)
3. Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)
4. Ballerina (2025), set between Chapter 3 and Chapter 4
5. Chapter 4 (2023)

Wikipedia’s franchise page and the Chapter 4 page both place Ballerina between the third and fourth films. Our recommendation is to watch it after Chapter 4, because it is a spin-off with its own lead, Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro. Watching it in story order is also fine, since Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane and the late Lance Reddick appear in both. That is a viewing suggestion, not a studio rule.

Do the films connect directly?

Yes, more than most action series. The first film is a self-contained revenge story. From there the films lead into each other:

• Chapter 2 sees Wick pulled back into the underworld to honor a blood oath. It ends with him declared “excommunicado”, cut off from underworld resources.
• Chapter 3 – Parabellum picks up immediately after Chapter 2, with a large number of hitmen hunting him after a bounty is placed on his life.
• Chapter 4 starts with Wick recovering underground with the Bowery King after the end of Chapter 3.

So skipping Chapter 2 or Chapter 3 will leave you lost in Chapter 4. Watch the four main films in order.

The Continental and the other John Wick projects

The Continental: From the World of John Wick is a three-episode prequel miniseries that premiered on Peacock in the US on September 22, 2023, with the last episode on October 6, 2023. Each episode runs roughly 90 minutes. Set in 1970s New York, it follows how a young Winston Scott, played by Colin Woodell, takes over the New York Continental hotel. Wikipedia says it streams on Amazon Prime Video internationally. You do not need it to follow the films.

Games and comics also sit around the main story:

• John Wick Chronicles (VR, February 9, 2017) is set between the first two films.
• John Wick Hex (October 8, 2019) is a prequel game.
• John Wick: The Book of Rules (Dynamite Entertainment, November 29, 2017 to January 31, 2018) is a prequel comic mini-series written by Greg Pak.

What is next for the John Wick franchise?

Several projects are announced, but none has a release date. Wikipedia’s franchise page lists them as follows.

Two points are worth separating. It is confirmed that Chapter 5 is in development. Wikipedia reports that it will be a separate storyline that does not continue directly from Chapter 4 and does not feature the High Table, but that comes from reported statements, not a finished script. The filming dates for Caine also come from press reports cited on Wikipedia, so treat them as reported until the studio confirms them.

Is John Wick dead at the end of Chapter 4?

Wikipedia notes that Reeves said in March 2025 that the character is dead, while describing the ending as intentionally ambiguous. Chapter 5 has been announced regardless. We will update this guide when the studio confirms plot details or dates.

Box office at a glance

Wikipedia lists these worldwide totals:

Each main film earned more than the one before it. Budget figures are press estimates.

Where to start

• One film: Start with the original. Our John Wick review explains why we rate it 8/10 and why it works as a self-contained story.
• The full story: Watch the four main films in order, then Ballerina.
• If you only have time for the finale: Do not. Chapter 4 depends on the events of Chapter 2 and Chapter 3.

For more of the franchise, see the John Wick hub. If you like this kind of action, try our list of the best action movies of all time, the Mission: Impossible movies in order guide and the Matrix movies in order guide. Keanu Reeves fans may also want our look at his Speed review.

FAQ

What order should I watch the John Wick movies in?

Release order: John Wick (2014), Chapter 2 (2017), Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019), Chapter 4 (2023), then the spin-off Ballerina (2025).

Where does Ballerina fit in the John Wick timeline?

Between Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4. We suggest watching it after Chapter 4, but both orders work.

Do I need to watch The Continental?

No. It is a three-episode prequel set in 1970s New York about a young Winston Scott. The films do not require it.

How many John Wick movies are there?

Four main films and one spin-off, Ballerina, released between 2014 and 2025.

Will there be John Wick 5?

Chapter 5 was announced in April 2025 with Keanu Reeves starring and Chad Stahelski directing. It has no release date.

What is Caine?

Caine is a spin-off starring and directed by Donnie Yen, set after Chapter 4. It has no announced release date.