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The Definitive John Wick Timeline: How To Watch All 6 Movies And Spin-Offs In Order

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The John Wick franchise has exploded into a global phenomenon, moving far beyond a simple revenge story to build a complex, rules-driven criminal underworld known as the High Table. With four main films—and two major spin-offs, *The Continental* and the upcoming *Ballerina*—the timeline has become intricate, leaving many fans wondering how to watch the entire saga correctly. As of December 2025, understanding the true chronological flow is essential for appreciating the full scope of John's journey from a retired assassin to the world's most wanted man.

The best way to experience the saga of Baba Yaga, played by the iconic Keanu Reeves, depends entirely on your viewing preference: do you want the original, impactful experience as the films were released, or do you want to dive deep into the lore with a chronological viewing order that incorporates the prequel series and the mid-quel film? This guide breaks down both definitive timelines, ensuring you don't miss a single chapter in the life of the legendary hitman.

The John Wick Franchise: Complete Release Order (The Original Experience)

For the first-time viewer, or for those who prefer to follow the story as the filmmakers intended, the release order is the most straightforward path. This sequence allows the mystery of the High Table and the rules of the assassin world to unfold naturally. This is the official order of theatrical releases and major streaming series events.

1. John Wick (2014)

The Origin of the Legend. The film that started it all introduces us to John Wick, a retired master assassin who left his life of violence for love. His brief retirement is violently shattered when Iosef Tarasov, the arrogant son of Russian mob boss Viggo Tarasov, steals his prized 1969 Ford Mustang and, more tragically, kills the beagle puppy, Daisy, a final gift from his recently deceased wife, Helen. This act of disrespect forces John back into the life he desperately tried to leave behind, kicking off an unstoppable chain of events. Key entities introduced here include the New York Continental Hotel, its manager Winston, and the hotel's concierge, Charon.

2. John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

The Blood Oath. Picking up just days after the first film, John retrieves his car and attempts to re-retire. However, an old colleague, Santino D’Antonio, arrives to call in a "blood oath" (a Marker) John made years ago to secure his freedom. Bound by the High Table's ancient rules, John is forced to assassinate Santino's sister, Gianna D'Antonio. When Santino places a massive bounty on John's head and destroys his home, John commits the ultimate transgression: killing Santino within the walls of the Continental. This sacrilegious act immediately renders John "excommunicado," setting the stage for the next chapter.

3. John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)

Excommunicado. The word *Parabellum* is part of the Latin phrase "Si vis pacem, para bellum"—"If you want peace, prepare for war." The film starts moments after Chapter 2 ends, with John on the run with a $14 million bounty on his head. Every assassin in the world is hunting him. He seeks help from entities like The Director (Anjelica Huston) in New York and Sofia (Halle Berry) in Casablanca. The High Table, represented by the ruthless Adjudicator, attempts to punish Winston and the Bowery King for aiding John. The film ends with John's alliance with the Bowery King, setting up a war against the High Table.

4. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

The Path to Freedom. After an eight-month recovery and planning period, John Wick uncovers a path to defeating the High Table once and for all. The new antagonist is the powerful and sadistic Marquis Vincent de Gramont, who is tasked with hunting John and dismantling his allies, including Winston and Charon. John is forced to challenge the Marquis to a duel to earn his freedom. The film is a global spectacle, taking John from New York and Osaka (introducing the entity Caine, played by Donnie Yen) to Berlin and finally Paris, culminating in a dramatic sunrise duel that seemingly brings John's saga to a close.

5. The Continental: From the World of John Wick (2023) - TV Series

This three-part limited series serves as a crucial prequel to the main films. It focuses on a young Winston Scott in 1970s New York City as he is dragged into the assassin world to seize control of the Continental Hotel from its current, brutal manager, Cormac. This series is a deep dive into the origins of the Continental's rules and the early life of a key John Wick entity.

6. Ballerina (2025) - Spin-Off Film

The next theatrical release in the universe is *Ballerina*, a spin-off starring Ana de Armas as Rooney, a ballerina-assassin seeking vengeance for the murder of her family. Crucially, this film is a "mid-quel" that takes place chronologically between the events of *John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum* and *John Wick: Chapter 4*. Keanu Reeves is confirmed to appear as John Wick, along with other franchise veterans like Winston and Charon, providing a bridge between the two main chapters.

The Complete John Wick Chronological Timeline (For Lore Experts)

For fans who want to watch the story unfold in the exact order of events, this is the definitive chronological timeline. This viewing order is ideal for understanding the deep lore, the history of the High Table, and the motivations of characters like Winston and John.

  1. The Continental: From the World of John Wick (TV Series)
    • Timeline Placement: 1970s.
    • Why it's First: This is the earliest story in the franchise, detailing the rise of Winston and the New York Continental's management, long before John Wick's story begins.
  2. John Wick (2014) - Chapter 1
    • Timeline Placement: Post-1970s, modern day (around 2014).
    • Why it's Second: This is the beginning of the main character's arc, detailing the death of Helen and the inciting incident that brings Baba Yaga out of retirement.
  3. John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
    • Timeline Placement: Immediately following Chapter 1.
    • Why it's Third: The events of the first three films happen in rapid succession, with no significant time gap.
  4. John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)
    • Timeline Placement: Immediately following Chapter 2.
    • Why it's Fourth: John is declared excommunicado and is on the run within the first minute of the film's start.
  5. Ballerina (2025) - Spin-Off Film
    • Timeline Placement: Between Chapter 3 and Chapter 4.
    • Why it's Fifth: The film is set during the eight-month gap between John's fall from the Continental roof in *Parabellum* and his recovery at the start of *Chapter 4*. This is where John is recovering and planning his war with the Bowery King.
  6. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
    • Timeline Placement: Eight months after Chapter 3 / Ballerina.
    • Why it's Sixth: John is fully recovered and prepared to take the fight directly to the High Table and the Marquis.

The Future of the John Wick Universe: Chapter 5 and Beyond

Following the definitive, and seemingly final, ending of *John Wick: Chapter 4*, the franchise's future is pivoting toward expanding the universe through its numerous compelling entities and spin-offs. While there are currently no concrete plans for a *John Wick: Chapter 5*, the possibility remains open, as the studio is keen on continuing the profitable franchise. Director Chad Stahelski has confirmed he and Keanu Reeves are open to returning if they can find a story that matches the quality of the first four films.

The focus, for now, is on the "World of John Wick" cinematic universe. The *Ballerina* film is set to be the first major test of this expansion, exploring the Ruska Roma crime syndicate and the assassin training facility led by The Director. This move is a clear strategy to build topical authority and explore the vast network of the High Table. Furthermore, there is talk of a potential second spin-off series, which could focus on the character Caine, the blind assassin played by Donnie Yen in *Chapter 4*, or even the mysterious Elder, the only person above the High Table.

The franchise has successfully introduced a rich tapestry of characters and concepts that can sustain future projects:

  • The High Table: The shadowy council of twelve crime lords that govern the assassin world.
  • Markers: The blood oath tokens that bind assassins to a debt.
  • The Adjudicator: The High Table's enforcer and investigator.
  • The Continental: The neutral ground hotels where no "business" (killing) is allowed.
  • The Bowery King: The leader of an intelligence network disguised as a homeless organization.
  • Ares: The mute assassin and bodyguard to Santino D'Antonio.
  • Zero: The lead assassin and fan of John Wick in *Parabellum*.

Whether Keanu Reeves returns as John Wick or the franchise continues through new characters like Rooney, the rules and lore established across the four main films and the spin-offs are the foundation of one of the most exciting action universes in modern cinema. Watching the films and shows in the correct chronological order is the ultimate way to appreciate the full, dark, and complex story of Baba Yaga.

john wick movies in order
john wick movies in order

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