Luckily, the “John Wick” franchise doesn’t feature any wild and unruly naming conventions like the “Fast & Furious” movies. This means you can (and should) simply watch them in order of release.
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“John Wick” (2014)
The first “John Wick” has a rather simple premise. John is a very skilled retired assassin whose wife has recently died, and when the puppy she bought for him is murdered by a bunch of gangsters, he goes on a bloody and violent killing spree. The movie also introduces a vast underworld of assassins with their own rules and lore that gets bigger and more complex with each film. “Chapter 2” complicates the plot when John is forced to pay an old debt that escalates into a city-wide manhunt — it also features an incredible set piece inside a subway station.
The third film, “Parabellum,” sees John Wick on the run from every assassin in New York (and several abroad) and escalates the action even more, with Halle Berry, some excellent doggos, and even a horse joining the action. Still, the highlight of the film is a knife-throwing scene, which shows how this franchise can turn even the simplest things into cinematic bliss.
If all that action isn’t enough for you, then “John Wick: Chapter 4” should hit the spot. The film features action scenes that put the rest of Hollywood to shame, including a lengthy, hour-long set piece with some of the best action ever put on film.
So what about that TV show? Even though the Peacock streaming series “The Continental” is technically a prequel to the first “John Wick,” you should watch it after the fourth “John Wick” movie.