100+ Movies like John Wick
25th Hour
Both "25th Hour" and "John Wick" center around a man facing his last day of freedom before a major life change - one going to prison, the other seeking vengeance. They deal with themes of loss, grief, and finding purpose amidst tragedy. The protagonists, Monty and John, are forced to confront their pasts and make difficult choices that will shape their futures. Both movies explore the criminal underworld, with the protagonists having ties to organized crime and facing betrayal from those close to them. Ultimately, the movies parallel each other in depicting the protagonists' journeys of redemption and self-discovery as they navigate the harsh realities of their circumstances.
John Wick: Chapter 2
John Wick and John Wick: Chapter 2 are part of the same action thriller film series, following the story of the former hitman John Wick. Both movies revolve around John being forced back into the criminal underworld due to a personal tragedy and having to confront powerful crime organizations. The first movie establishes John's backstory as a legendary assassin known as the Baba Yaga, who retired after falling in love and completing an impossible task for the Russian mafia boss Viggo Tarasov. When Viggo's son Iosef kills John's puppy, a gift from his late wife, John seeks violent revenge, leading to a conflict with Viggo's organization. In Chapter 2, John is compelled to honor a blood oath and assassinate a crime boss's sister, putting him at odds with the powerful High Table council. Both films feature intense action sequences, John's struggle to leave his past behind, and his unwavering determination to seek justice, even against formidable criminal forces. The movies also explore the rules and codes of the underworld, with the Continental Hotel serving as a neutral ground.
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum
Both "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum" and "John Wick" center around John Wick, a former hitman who is pulled back into the criminal underworld after a personal tragedy. In the first movie, John seeks vengeance against the Russian mafia after they kill his puppy, the last gift from his late wife. In the third movie, John is excommunicated from the assassin community and must fight for his life while seeking a way to be forgiven. The movies share the same gritty, action-packed style with intense fight sequences and a focus on John's unparalleled skills as a hitman. They explore the criminal underworld governed by strict rules and codes, with the Continental hotel serving as a neutral ground. John must navigate this world while dealing with powerful crime lords and facing betrayals from former allies. The movies parallel each other in John's journey of loss, grief, and finding purpose through violence. His love for his late wife drives his actions, whether seeking vengeance or a chance at redemption. The movies also feature recurring characters like Winston, the Continental's owner, and the High Table, the governing body of the assassin world that John must confront.
John Wick: Chapter 4
John Wick and John Wick: Chapter 4 follow the story of John Wick, a former hitman seeking vengeance against criminal organizations after they wrong him. In both movies, John is drawn back into the criminal underworld after a personal tragedy, and he must fight his way through waves of assassins and powerful adversaries. The movies share the central conflict of John battling the High Table, a shadowy criminal council that governs the rules of the assassin world. John's quest for vengeance leads him on a violent path of retribution, culminating in climactic showdowns against the leaders of the High Table. Key parallels include John's unwavering determination, his formidable skills as an assassin, and his willingness to take on seemingly insurmountable odds to achieve justice on his own terms. The movies also explore similar themes of grief, loyalty, and the consequences of a life of violence.
Max Payne
Both "Max Payne" and "John Wick" center around a grieving protagonist seeking vengeance after a tragic loss. Max Payne and John Wick are highly skilled and feared former hitmen who are drawn back into a life of violence after their loved ones are killed. They face off against powerful criminal organizations, including former employers and associates, who are involved in illegal activities related to a powerful drug/substance (Valkyr and the Russian mafia, respectively). The protagonists are betrayed by father figures (B.B. and Marcus) and must navigate the seedy criminal underworld, utilizing their skills and connections to exact revenge. They are aided by a female ally (Mona Sax and Winston) and ultimately confront and kill the main antagonists responsible for their suffering (B.B. and Viggo Tarasov). Both movies end with the protagonist finding a new purpose and a hint of a potential sequel.
Punisher: War Zone
Both "Punisher: War Zone" and "John Wick" center around a highly skilled and ruthless vigilante who seeks vengeance after losing a loved one and being provoked by a criminal organization. The protagonists, Frank Castle (The Punisher) and John Wick, were formerly elite operatives who left their violent pasts behind until a tragic event reignites their thirst for justice. They embark on a relentless quest to eliminate the criminal leaders and their associates responsible for their suffering, employing their lethal skills and resources from their former lives. The villains, Jigsaw and Viggo Tarasov, are powerful crime bosses who underestimate the protagonists' capabilities and face devastating consequences. The movies explore themes of grief, vengeance, and the moral ambiguity of vigilantism, as the protagonists navigate the criminal underworld and face formidable adversaries while seeking closure for their losses.
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
Both "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" and "John Wick" revolve around a man seeking revenge after being wronged by powerful criminal figures. In Sin City, Dwight seeks vengeance against Ava Lord and her husband for betraying and nearly killing him, while in John Wick, the titular character goes on a rampage against the Russian mafia after they kill his puppy and steal his car. The protagonists are former hitmen or assassins who are pulled back into their violent pasts to settle scores. They enlist the help of allies, including other skilled fighters, to take down their enemies. The movies feature stylized action sequences and gritty, noir-inspired visuals as the protagonists systematically eliminate the criminal organizations. Ultimately, the heroes achieve their revenge but at great personal cost, leaving them scarred but alive to continue their lives.
Karam
Both "Karam" and "John Wick" center around a skilled assassin who is drawn back into a life of violence after a traumatic event involving the death of a loved one and their pet. In the "Karam", John Wargas is a contract killer who decides to leave his criminal life behind after accidentally killing an innocent family, but is forced to carry out a series of hits by a mobster who takes his wife Shalini hostage. Similarly, in John Wick, the titular character is a former hitman who comes out of retirement to seek vengeance after the son of a Russian crime boss kills his puppy, a gift from his late wife. The protagonists in both films are portrayed as highly skilled and ruthless killers who are driven by a personal code of honor and a desire to protect their loved ones. They face opposition from powerful criminal organizations and corrupt law enforcement officials, and must navigate a seedy underworld with its own set of rules and hierarchies. The movies feature intense action sequences and graphic violence as the protagonists systematically eliminate their targets. Ultimately, both films explore themes of grief, redemption, and the consequences of violence, as the protagonists struggle to find a way out of the criminal life they thought they had left behind. The "John Wick" plot parallels the "Karam"'s narrative arc of a skilled assassin being forced back into a life of violence due to tragic circumstances involving the loss of a loved one and a beloved pet.
A Good Day to Die Hard
Both "A Good Day to Die Hard" and "John Wick" involve a protagonist seeking vengeance after a personal tragedy, with John Wick avenging the death of his puppy and John McClane trying to rescue his son Jack. They face off against powerful criminal organizations led by ruthless leaders (Viggo Tarasov and Viktor Chagarin). The protagonists are highly skilled and resourceful, using their combat abilities to take down the villains' henchmen. There are intense action sequences involving car chases, shootouts, and hand-to-hand combat. The movies also explore themes of family, loss, and the protagonists' attempts to leave their violent pasts behind. Both climax with the protagonists confronting the main villains and ultimately emerging victorious, though at great personal cost.
Proud Mary
Both "Proud Mary" and "John Wick" follow a similar redemption arc for the protagonist, who is a skilled assassin seeking to leave their violent life behind. They are drawn back into the criminal underworld due to a personal tragedy - the death of a loved one in John Wick, and the abuse of a young boy in Proud Mary. This sets them on a path of vengeance against the criminal organizations they were once part of, leading to a climactic confrontation with their former bosses and associates. The protagonists form a bond with a surrogate child figure - a puppy in John Wick, and the young boy Danny in Proud Mary - which motivates their desire for a new life away from violence. Despite their ruthless pasts, they show compassion and a protective instinct toward these innocents. The movies also share elements of a secret society of assassins with their own rules and code, represented by the Continental hotel in John Wick. Ultimately, both protagonists eliminate the threats against them and their newfound wards, allowing them to pursue a fresh start together.
You Were Never Really Here
Both "You Were Never Really Here" and "John Wick" center around a highly skilled and traumatized loner who is drawn back into a life of violence to rescue someone close to them from a criminal organization. The protagonists, Joe and John Wick, are former operatives with a brutal past who are forced to use their lethal skills to take down powerful criminal syndicates that have wronged them. They face betrayal from those close to them and must navigate the seedy criminal underworld to achieve their goals. The movies explore themes of grief, trauma, and the cycle of violence, as the protagonists struggle with their inner demons while seeking vengeance and redemption. The action sequences are intense and gritty, depicting the protagonists' ruthless efficiency in dispatching their enemies. Ultimately, both movies culminate in the protagonists finding a glimmer of hope and a chance at a new life after confronting their past and exacting justice.
Killing Them Softly
Both "Killing Them Softly" and "John Wick" revolve around a central character who is a highly skilled and feared hitman in the criminal underworld. They are drawn back into their former lives of violence after a personal tragedy - the death of a loved one in John Wick, and the killing of a symbolic gift representing hope in Killing Them Softly. The protagonists seek vengeance against the criminal organizations responsible, methodically hunting down and eliminating their targets despite facing opposition from powerful crime bosses and bounties placed on their heads. The movies explore themes of grief, retribution, and the brutal codes of the underworld, with the protagonists portrayed as ruthless yet principled killers. The stories climax with the central characters confronting the leaders of the criminal enterprises in a final showdown after a series of violent encounters with henchmen and hired assassins.
Never Die Alone
Both "Never Die Alone" and "John Wick" revolve around a former criminal seeking redemption and vengeance after a tragic event. In Never Die Alone, King David returns to settle an old score with a drug lord after being betrayed, while in John Wick, the titular character seeks revenge against the Russian mafia after they kill his puppy - a gift from his late wife. The protagonists are hardened, skilled killers who were once part of a criminal underworld but left that life behind, only to be pulled back in by violent circumstances. Their quests for vengeance lead them to confront their former associates and bosses, uncovering betrayals and double-crosses along the way. The movies explore themes of grief, loss, and the struggle to find purpose and meaning after tragedy. Both protagonists exhibit ruthless determination and a willingness to use extreme violence to achieve their goals, while also showing glimpses of their humanity and capacity for love.
Safe
Both "Safe" and "John Wick" center around a highly skilled former operative who is drawn back into a life of violence after a personal tragedy. In the "Safe", Luke Wright's pregnant wife is killed by the Russian mafia, leading him to become a homeless drifter until he encounters a young woman in danger and decides to help her. In the "John Wick" John Wick, John's wife dies and he receives a puppy to help cope, but when the puppy is killed by the son of a Russian mobster, John seeks violent revenge. The movies share a similar structure of the protagonist being forced to confront their past and use their deadly skills to take on powerful criminal organizations. They both involve rescuing a young woman who is being held captive and used by the villains. The protagonists form an unlikely bond with these women as they work together to survive and take down the antagonists. Both movies feature intense action sequences and fight scenes as the highly skilled protagonists battle their way through numerous henchmen and corrupt officials. There are betrayals and shifting alliances as the protagonists navigate the criminal underworld. Ultimately, the movies culminate in a final confrontation between the protagonist and the main villain, with the protagonist emerging victorious but at great personal cost.
Wrong Turn at Tahoe
Both "Wrong Turn at Tahoe" and "John Wick" revolve around a skilled, ruthless hitman who is drawn back into a life of violence after a personal tragedy. In the "Wrong Turn at Tahoe", Joshua is a former hitman working for the crime boss Vincent, who is driven to seek vengeance after Vincent kills his wife. Similarly, in John Wick, the retired hitman John Wick is pulled back into the criminal underworld after the son of a Russian mob boss kills his beloved dog, a gift from his late wife. Both protagonists embark on a path of brutal retribution against the criminal organizations they were once part of, fueled by their grief and a desire for justice. The movies share themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of a violent lifestyle, as well as intense action sequences depicting the protagonists' lethal skills. The central conflict arises from the protagonists' former associates underestimating their resolve and capabilities, leading to a climactic confrontation with the crime bosses.
Acts of Vengeance
Both "Acts of Vengeance" and "John Wick" follow a similar revenge plot where the protagonist seeks vengeance after their loved ones are killed by criminals. In Acts of Vengeance, Frank Valera's wife and daughter are murdered, while in John Wick, John's puppy (a gift from his late wife) is killed. This inciting incident sets the protagonists on a path of violence and retribution against the criminal organizations responsible. The protagonists are both former skilled killers who come out of retirement to pursue justice through brutal means. Frank Valera was a lawyer but learns combat skills to take down the Russian mafia, while John Wick was a legendary hitman in the criminal underworld known as the "Baba Yaga." They display exceptional combat abilities and an unwavering determination to achieve their goals. The antagonists are members of the Russian mafia who underestimate the protagonists' resolve. In Acts of Vengeance, it's a corrupt police officer named Hank Strode who murdered Frank's family, while in John Wick, it's the son of a Russian mob boss, Iosef Tarasov, who sets events in motion by stealing John's car and killing his puppy. Both movies feature a supporting female character who aids the protagonist - Alma in Acts of Vengeance and the hotel owner Winston in John Wick. There are also mentor figures who guide the protagonists, such as Marcus for John Wick. The movies culminate in intense action sequences as the protagonists confront and defeat their enemies to achieve vengeance.
Running Scared
Both "Running Scared" and "John Wick" revolve around a central character who is drawn back into a life of violence and crime after a personal tragedy. In Running Scared, Joey Gazelle is an undercover FBI agent who gets entangled with the mob after a young boy finds a gun from a botched drug deal. In John Wick, the titular character is a former hitman who seeks vengeance after Russian gangsters kill his puppy, a gift from his late wife. The protagonists are forced to confront their violent pasts and navigate the criminal underworld, facing off against powerful crime bosses and their henchmen. Both movies feature intense action sequences and shootouts as the main characters fight to survive and seek retribution. The movies explore themes of grief, loss, and the struggle to find purpose and meaning in life after a devastating personal tragedy. The protagonists are driven by a desire for justice and a willingness to use extreme violence to achieve their goals, blurring the lines between hero and antihero. The plots are propelled by a series of escalating conflicts and betrayals within the criminal organizations, leading to a climactic showdown between the main character and the crime boss. Both movies also feature a mentor figure who aids the protagonist, as well as a hotel that serves as a neutral ground for the criminal underworld.
The Punisher
Both "The Punisher" and "John Wick" center around a highly skilled and ruthless former hitman who is driven to seek vengeance after a tragic event involving the death of a loved one. In The Punisher, Frank Castle's entire family is murdered by the Saint crime family, leading him to wage a one-man war against them. Similarly, in John Wick, the titular character is pulled back into his former life as a hitman after the son of a Russian crime boss kills the puppy gifted to him by his late wife, motivating him to seek brutal revenge. The protagonists in both films are portrayed as unstoppable forces of retribution, meticulously planning and executing their vengeance against the criminal organizations responsible for their loss. They leverage their extensive skills and resources from their past lives as hitmen to systematically dismantle their enemies. The movies also explore the concept of a secret criminal underworld with its own rules and code of conduct, represented by the Continental hotel in John Wick. Both films feature intense action sequences and graphic violence as the protagonists confront and eliminate their targets. The stories culminate in a final confrontation between the protagonist and the crime boss, where the protagonist emerges victorious but at a significant personal cost. Ultimately, the movies depict the protagonists' journeys from ordinary men to relentless avengers, driven by a desire for justice and a willingness to embrace their violent pasts.
Nobody
Both "Nobody" and "John Wick" revolve around a seemingly ordinary man who is revealed to have a secret, violent past as a highly skilled assassin or "auditor". After a traumatic event involving the loss of a loved one (a wife in John Wick, a pet in Nobody), the protagonist is pulled back into their former life of violence to seek vengeance against the criminal underworld. They utilize their lethal skills to systematically eliminate the antagonists, members of the Russian mafia, who are portrayed as powerful crime lords with vast resources. The protagonists are aided by allies from their past, including a mentor figure. The movies explore themes of grief, finding purpose, and the struggle to lead a normal life after being consumed by violence. Both culminate in a final confrontation where the protagonist defeats the main antagonist and his forces, securing a chance to move on with their life, though hinting at the potential for further conflict.
Interview with a Hitman
Both "Interview with a Hitman" and "John Wick" follow a skilled assassin who is drawn back into the criminal underworld after a personal tragedy. In Interview with a Hitman, Viktor is a professional hitman who tries to leave his life of crime after falling in love, but is pulled back in by his former mafia employers seeking revenge. Similarly, in John Wick, the titular character is a former hitman who comes out of retirement to seek vengeance after his prized car is stolen and his dog is killed by the son of a Russian crime boss he used to work for. The protagonists' motivations are rooted in their grief and desire for justice, leading them on a path of violence and retribution against the criminal organizations they were once part of. Both movies explore the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of a life of violence. The assassins' skills and reputations as feared killers are emphasized, as they methodically eliminate their targets while navigating the complex underworld of organized crime. The movies also share similar narrative structures, with the protagonists being drawn back into their former lives, facing off against their former employers and allies, and ultimately seeking closure and a chance at redemption or a new beginning after exacting their revenge.