Every Movie That Has Tried to Copy John Wick, Ranked

When John Wick came out in 2014, it did reasonably well in theaters, but it wasn’t an instant blockbuster. However, it quickly became influential. If one movie from the 2010s truly changed the action genre and inspired a wave of similar films – though it’s probably unfair to call them simple copies – it was John Wick. In less than fifteen years, nearly two dozen movies with a similar style have emerged, and they likely wouldn’t exist without the success and detailed world-building of that Keanu Reeves hit. Several key players behind John Wick also helped create these films. The film’s co-directors, David Leitch and Chad Stahelski, founded 87North Productions, which has produced many of them. The same is true for Thunder Road Pictures, another major production company involved with the franchise. They’ve also made a few films that have some John Wicklike elements, but aren’t quite close enough to be included in a list of direct imitators. Examples include The Fall Guy, The Informer, The Contractor, and Dust Bunny*.

Some action movies or those featuring assassins might feel similar to the John Wick films, but they aren’t really inspired by them in the same way. However, these other movies definitely wouldn’t exist without John Wick paving the way.

22) Love Hurts

Honestly, I was really excited when they decided to build a whole action franchise around Ke Huy Quan – he’s so charming! And leaning into his comedic timing seemed smart. But wow, Love Hurts just doesn’t deliver. It’s the only movie I’ve seen try to follow the John Wick formula and completely stumble right from the beginning, and it never gets back on its feet. It’s a real disappointment.

The movie’s story is weak and the action feels unoriginal, but its biggest problem is the lack of chemistry between the leads, Ke Huy Quan and Ariana DeBose – a gap made wider by their significant age difference. Both Love Hurts and Heart Eyes came out the same weekend, and both are love letters to their respective genres – kung-fu and slasher films. Even if Heart Eyes hadn’t been surprisingly good, Love Hurts would have been a major disappointment.

Stream Love Hurts on Prime Video.

21) Trigger Warning

Trigger Warning, featuring Jessica Alba’s return to the screen after a long hiatus, was produced by Basil Iwanyk of Thunder Road Films. While it aligns with the style of his previous movies, it’s surprisingly unmemorable.

People have compared this movie to ‘Rambo’ and ‘John Wick,’ and that’s not entirely off base, but it doesn’t deliver the same thrilling action. It feels like a pale imitation of those films, simply copying the action scenes without exploring what made the heroes so compelling. Sadly, it’s one of the weaker entries in a growing number of action movies that have ended up being released directly on streaming services – and it’s arguably the most disappointing of them all.

Stream Trigger Warning on Netflix.

20) The Mother

Jennifer Lopez is a talented actress – films like Out of Sight and Hustlers demonstrate her range. She clearly puts a lot of effort into The Mother, and her performance significantly elevates the movie.

Ultimately, this movie doesn’t offer anything we haven’t seen done better in similar action films focused on protecting children. It’s essentially the story of Sofia from John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum stepping out of hiding to safeguard the daughter she’s been separated from. While it’s intriguing to see Sofia grapple with the sacrifices she made to keep her child safe by staying away, Parabellum actually explored that conflict in a more compelling way. In short, The Mother retreads familiar ground already covered by a more interesting version in Parabellum.

Stream The Mother on Netflix.

19) The Protégé

Of all these films, The Protégé is perhaps the most underwhelming. If anyone was a natural fit to join the John Wick universe and match his abilities, it would have been Maggie Q.

Despite having a strong cast including Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Keaton, and the lead actress, this movie isn’t very memorable. While the fight scenes are decent and Q is convincingly tough, overall it’s the most unremarkable film on this list.

Stream The Protégé on Starz.

18) Hotel Artemis

Compared to the John Wick films, Hotel Artemis stands out as being quite different. It doesn’t feature much action, but it does share a key similarity: a hotel specifically for criminals. It’s clearly inspired by the Continental Hotel from the John Wick universe.

Actually, when you compare them all, this movie is more disappointing than The Protégé. Despite having a strong lead performance by Jodie Foster and great supporting actors like Dave Bautista and Jeff Goldblum, the film focuses too much on creating its world and doesn’t deliver a satisfying story. It’s all looks and no depth.

Stream Hotel Artemis on Paramount+.

17) Nobody 2

It felt inevitable that the creators of the action film Nobody would eventually send their hero on a getaway, and Nobody 2 delivered just that. If you were hoping for a typical, enjoyable action movie for the summer, it fit the bill.

Ultimately, the movie feels too similar to the original. While it’s a bit more upbeat and offers both action and humor, it doesn’t excel in either area enough to be truly memorable within those genres.

Stream Nobody 2 on Netflix.

16) Kate

Mary Elizabeth Winstead is a talented action star, and like Maggie Q in The Protégé, she deserves better than a mediocre script. However, Kate does a better job of building atmosphere and exploring its characters than that film did.

Although the movie follows a familiar plot, its strengths ultimately overshadow its weaknesses. Winstead delivers a fantastic performance, the vibrant neon visuals fit the style of the ‘John Wick’ universe perfectly, and the story’s sadness stays with you long after it ends.

Stream Kate on Netflix.

15) Fight or Flight

Between the lengthy shots, assassins, and stylish gunplay, it’s clear Fight or Flight takes inspiration from the John Wick films—and it’s even produced by the same company, Thunder Road Films. Sadly, it wasn’t a commercial success for them.

Despite not being an instant hit, this movie will likely gain a following over time. Think of it as a lighter, more fun version of ‘John Wick.’ Josh Hartnett is perfectly cast in the lead role – he’s a talented actor who deserves more recognition and skillfully balances action with humor.

Stream Fight or Flight on Paramount+.

14) Pretty Lethal

The latest film in the emerging ‘Wickian cinema’ style is Pretty Lethal, and it’s the first to seriously try telling a scary story. It mostly succeeds, thanks to a diverse and well-acted group of five main characters played by Iris Apatow, Maddie Ziegler, Avantika (from Mean Girls), Millicent Simmonds (from A Quiet Place), and Lana Condor.

While Ziegler truly shines, Uma Thurman is also enjoyable as the ruthless Russian gangster holding the young women hostage after killing their leader. Think of her as the Ruska Roma from the John Wick movies, except these women weren’t professionally trained assassins – they were forced into this life by difficult circumstances.

Stream Pretty Lethal on Prime Video.

13) Day Shift

Like how Passenger 57 was essentially Die Hard on a plane, Day Shift is like John Wick, but with vampires. It’s a bit ridiculous, but surprisingly, it’s entertaining.

I’ve been thinking about Day Shift, and to me, it feels a lot like John Carpenter’s Vampires, but brighter and funnier. The main bad guy isn’t particularly memorable, but honestly, Jamie Foxx and Dave Franco are fantastic together – they have amazing chemistry! And the vampire hunting action is just really fun to watch, which makes the whole movie enjoyable.

Stream Day Shift on Netflix.

12) Silent Night

Oh, how things come full circle. We just wish they had come all the way full circle.

As a huge fan of action cinema, I was really hyped when I heard John Woo – a massive influence on the John Wick movies, and someone they actually helped bring back into the spotlight with their ‘gun-fu’ style – was directing a film for the same production company. Sadly, Silent Night just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I appreciated the ambition of trying a mostly silent film, but it ended up feeling strangely distant, and I found myself disconnected from the story. Honestly, I think Woo would have been perfect for a Wick spin-off; something that felt more connected to that world would have been amazing, rather than this which, while okay, just feels like it exists in the same general universe.

Stream Silent Night on Peacock.

11) Nobody

Many might disagree with Nobody being ranked so low. It’s understandable, considering it was written by Derek Kolstad, the creator of the John Wick franchise and the writer of the first three John Wick movies (he wrote the first two entirely on his own).

While it’s fun to see comedic actor Bob Odenkirk excel in action, the movie itself isn’t particularly remarkable beyond that. The bus sequence is a standout action scene, comparable to those in the John Wick films, but overall, Nobody lacks the compelling storyline that makes the top action movies so engaging. Despite being ranked at number 11, we actually enjoy Nobody quite a bit.

10) Extraction

We previously mentioned that Nobody could have used a stronger opening. Extraction improves on this, largely because its story centers around a father dealing with loss.

Action heroes are most compelling when they’re at their lowest point, willing to risk everything on one final mission to feel alive again. We connect with them because they seem indifferent to the consequences. This is true for Chris Hemsworth’s character, Tyler Rake, in Extraction, and in the sequel, he surpasses even his initial portrayal.

Stream Extraction on Netflix.

9) Extraction 2

What makes Extraction 2 better than the first film? It comes down to the action: it’s even more intense and impressive. The incredible 21-minute single-shot sequence is one of the most spectacular action scenes in recent movies.

As a fan, I’m really excited to see where they take this series next! Extraction 2 definitely sets things up for a much bigger story, and honestly, that’s great. These movies aren’t trying to be masterpieces, they’re just pure, thrilling fun, and I’m here for it.

Stream Extraction 2 on Netflix.

8) Gunpowder Milkshake

Let’s talk about Gunpowder Milkshake, a surprisingly great action movie that often gets overlooked. Like the first John Wick, it introduces us to a hidden world of assassins. While this world shares similarities with Wick‘s, it feels fresh and avoids feeling like a copycat.

Some might call Gunpowder Milkshake a female-led John Wick, but that’s actually a compliment. The film expertly delivers thrilling action, featuring a talented cast and giving Karen Gillan plenty of opportunities to showcase her impressive acrobatic skills and creative use of weapons. It’s a stylish, clever, and fast-moving movie, with a standout performance by Gillan. While the story feels complete on its own, the ending leaves room for potential sequels.

Stream Gunpowder Milkshake on Netflix.

7) Atomic Blonde

The trailer for Atomic Blonde immediately showed the impact of John Wick. The film featured a long, unbroken fight scene with Charlize Theron taking on several opponents, and it was clear this movie was adopting the same action style as John Wick.

I first really noticed David Leitch with Atomic Blonde – it was his debut as a credited director, and what a debut! Looking back, it feels like the world got introduced to a truly gifted action director. He’s since given us fantastic films like Deadpool 2, Hobbs & Shaw, Bullet Train, and The Fall Guy – honestly, he hasn’t made a bad movie yet. But even with all those fun, energetic films under his belt, Atomic Blonde still stands out to me. It’s just more gripping, with a really clever story full of twists, betrayals, and that classic Cold War feeling of distrust.

Stream Atomic Blonde on HBO Max.

6) Sisu: Road to Revenge

As a big action fan, I’ve been hearing a lot about Sisu and its follow-up, Sisu: Road to Revenge, and how they’re similar to the John Wick movies. But it’s interesting to learn they aren’t actually connected creatively. The director, Jalmari Helander, has said the original Rambo and the films of John Woo were actually bigger influences on his work, which makes a lot of sense when you watch them!

It’s clear what movies Sisu takes inspiration from, and honestly, it feels a lot like John Wick. The main character barely speaks and seems nearly invincible – he could practically be taking notes on how to be like John Wick! Both films are a lot of fun for fans of the John Wick series, although the sequel isn’t quite as good as the first one. But that’s more a testament to how amazing the original is, not a criticism of Road to Revenge, which is a really good action movie in its own right.

Stream Sisu: Road to Revenge on Netflix.

5) The Beekeeper

What sets The Beekeeper apart from other Jason Statham movies like A Working Man? While A Working Man being based on a book isn’t the deciding factor, The Beekeeper really emphasizes powerful, secretive groups – a key element also found in the John Wick films.

Jason Statham plays a character who’s taking down a criminal operation built on scams, while also being connected to a secret network of assassins. The film features plenty of stylish gunplay, and while director David Ayer never explicitly stated it, this movie – one of Statham’s best – clearly owes a debt to the John Wick franchise and likely wouldn’t exist without it.

Stream The Beekeeper on Prime Video.

4) Monkey Man

Dev Patel’s first time directing, Monkey Man, is a powerful and visually striking revenge story. It’s particularly moving – perhaps the most emotionally resonant one we’ve seen, considering how many revenge films we’ve covered.

Dev Patel’s new film, Monkey Man, powerfully conveys both his character’s anger and suffering, while also showcasing his incredible ability to survive seemingly impossible circumstances. Though the movie is well-made and generally moves at a good pace, it can be quite intense and bleak. Fans of John Wick will definitely want to see it.

3) Bullet Train

Bullet Train is definitely the most visually striking movie on this list, but its cool style doesn’t overshadow the story. It aims to tell a big, exciting story all within one location, and it succeeds brilliantly.

Brad Pitt is fantastic in Bullet Train, playing against his usual type as a hitman who’s constantly lost and unsure of his surroundings. He’s incredibly entertaining, bringing a fresh spin to the action hero role. The supporting cast is also excellent, portraying a group of eccentric assassins, each with their own unique skills and approaches. While it’s hard to say what a follow-up would look like, a Bullet Train 2 is definitely something that should happen.

Stream Bullet Train on Hulu.

2) Violent Night

Despite being a darkly violent film, Violent Night cleverly mixes different genres and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It explores themes of greed and anger with plenty of action, but also includes moments of humor – like a joke involving vomiting – and features an over-the-top, cartoonish death for the villain, who gets comically stuck and disappears into a small chimney.

Despite a surprisingly good script, the movie really relies on David Harbour’s performance, and he truly shines as Santa Claus – it’s arguably his best role yet. He perfectly captures Santa’s weariness while still making you believe he’ll step in and help when it matters, like when a sweet little girl needs saving. Hopefully, the next installment will be just as good, because this film quickly became a new holiday favorite for viewers who connected with its unique style.

Stream Violent Night on Peacock.

1) Sisu

Imagine John Wick, but grittier and with a focus on fighting Nazis. That’s Sisu. The main character, Aatami Korpi, is relentless in his pursuit of Nazis, and he doesn’t hold back – leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. For many viewers, that’s incredibly satisfying.

This movie perfectly captures the spirit of the John Wick films. It features a protagonist who tries to leave a violent past as a soldier behind, but is pulled back in, leading to explosive consequences. With a fantastic performance by Jorma Tommila, a clear and compelling story – arguably even better than the first John Wick – and brutally effective action, it’s a truly gripping experience. It’s intensely action-packed, but remains enjoyable enough to watch again and again.

Stream Sisu on Prime Video.

I’m a huge fan of the Wick films and I’m really curious to hear which one you love the most! Let me know in the comments, and let’s chat about it all over at the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-04-12 22:18