John Wick Trilogy Surges on HBO Max, Smashing Streaming Records

Few action franchises have left as big a mark as the John Wick series, and right now, the original trilogy is enjoying a serious resurgence on HBO Max. First hitting screens in 2014, the debut film didn’t just surprise punters with its success—it completely upended what audiences expected from action flicks. Since then, the series has inspired a wave of imitators, with films like Atomic Blonde and Extraction owing plenty to its style and approach. Each new chapter has only built on the last, and even the more recent fourth instalment was a box office juggernaut. But it’s the first three films—the core trilogy—that are currently climbing the streaming charts and winning over a new generation of fans.

At the moment, the John Wick trilogy is sitting near the top of HBO Max’s weekly rankings. The original film is holding strong in second place, just behind Leonardo DiCaprio’s One Battle After Another, while John Wick: Chapter 2 is right behind in third. Chapter 3—Parabellum isn’t far off, landing in fifth, with Twilight wedged in between. It’s a testament to the staying power of the franchise that these films are still drawing in viewers years after their initial release.

Origins and Impact of a Modern Classic

The brainchild of screenwriter Derek Kolstad, the John Wick saga kicked off under the direction of Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, both of whom cut their teeth as stunt performers before moving behind the camera. Leitch stepped back after the first film, leaving Stahelski to steer the ship solo for the sequels. Of course, the face of the franchise is Keanu Reeves, who brings the titular character to life. For those few who haven’t caught the films, Reeves plays a retired assassin drawn back into the criminal underworld after a brutal attack leaves him without his beloved dog and car—hardly your average motivation, but one that struck a chord with audiences.

The official synopsis for the first film sums it up neatly:

"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

It’s one thing to launch a successful action series, but it’s another to see each entry outdo the last. The first John Wick film was both a critical darling and a commercial hit, boasting an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and raking in $86 million worldwide. The numbers only went up from there. By the time Chapter 4 rolled around, the franchise was pulling in over $447 million globally and holding a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score. According to IMDb user ratings, the first three films make up the highest-rated action trilogy ever put to screen.

While the main series has gone from strength to strength, the spin-offs haven’t quite hit the same heights. The Continental, a prequel series on Peacock, split opinion among both viewers and critics, with even some of the original cast voicing their disappointment. The Ana de Armas-led Ballerina fared a bit better, earning $137 million worldwide and a 75% Rotten Tomatoes score, but most reckon it didn’t quite capture the magic of the main films.