If you’re a fan of the John Wick franchise, you know there’s nothing quite like the stylish, hyper-violent, gun-fu action that Keanu Reeves delivers as the legendary hitman Baba Yaga. The John Wick movies have set a new standard for action cinema with their intricately choreographed fight scenes, slick world-building, and unflinching brutality.
Once you’ve experienced the rush of watching John Wick blast and punch his way through armies of bad guys, it’s hard not to crave more of that sweet, sweet adrenaline. Luckily, there are plenty of other great action flicks out there that can scratch that same itch. Here are 20 movies like John Wick that are sure to get your blood pumping:
1. The Raid: Redemption (2011)
When it comes to intense, close-quarters action, it doesn’t get much better than The Raid: Redemption. This Indonesian martial arts film follows a SWAT team that becomes trapped in a tenement run by a ruthless mobster and his army of killers and thugs. With no way out, they have to fight their way through the building floor by floor.
The Raid is a no-holds-barred assault of jaw-dropping stunts, bone-crunching fights, and nonstop chaos. The combat is lightning fast and absolutely brutal. Starring the insanely talented Iko Uwais, the fight choreography is among the best ever put on film. If you love the relentless pacing and violence of John Wick, The Raid delivers that same punch to the face.
2. Nobody (2021)
What if John Wick was just a regular suburban dad? That’s essentially the premise of the awesome action-comedy Nobody. Bob Odenkirk stars as Hutch Mansell, a mild-mannered family man who seems content to live a boring life – until his house gets robbed and he fails to defend his family.
This triggers something in Hutch and he returns to his secret former life as an assassin, taking on a dangerous Russian crime lord. Odenkirk is perfectly cast, bringing both everyman relatability and surprising grit to the role. The action, with its mix of gunplay and hand-to-hand combat, is exhilarating. Nobody doesn’t take itself too seriously, balancing the violence with dark humor, but when it goes hard, it GOES HARD.
3. Atomic Blonde (2017)
Imagine if John Wick was a badass female spy and you’ve basically got Atomic Blonde. Charlize Theron stars as Lorraine Broughton, an MI6 agent sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents.
Theron absolutely kills it in the role, oozing cool charisma and dishing out punishment. The fight scenes are spectacularly choreographed, brutal and often done in long unbroken takes that will leave you breathless. With its neon-drenched ’80s aesthetic and pulsing soundtrack, Atomic Blonde is a slick, stylish spy thriller that packs one hell of a punch.
4. The Man from Nowhere (2010)
This South Korean action-thriller has drawn many comparisons to John Wick and it’s easy to see why. The Man from Nowhere follows a mysterious and shady former special agent who embarks on a bloody quest for vengeance after his only friend, a little girl who lives next door, is kidnapped by a vicious drug gang.
Lead actor Won Bin is a force of nature as the quiet pawnshop keeper hiding a dark past. When he explodes into action to save the girl, the results are jaw-dropping. The fights are fast, fluid, and ultra-violent, with some creative use of knives and other weapons. The Man from Nowhere also has surprising emotional depth, making the stakes feel even higher. It’s one of the best action movies to come out of Korea.
5. Extraction (2020)
This Netflix original movie feels like John Wick meets Man on Fire. Extraction stars Chris Hemsworth as Tyler Rake, a black-market mercenary who is hired to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord. But the mission takes him to the murky underworld of weapons dealers and drug traffickers in Bangladesh.
Hemsworth commands the screen as a haunted soldier-for-hire and really throws himself into the demanding action. First-time director Sam Hargrave, a veteran stunt coordinator, crafts some truly spectacular set pieces, including an epic 12-minute long take. With its gritty tone and unflinching violence, Extraction is a must-watch for any John Wick fan.
6. Polar (2019)
Based on the web comic of the same name, Polar is a neon-noir action flick with style to spare. Mads Mikkelsen stars as Duncan Vizla, aka the Black Kaiser, a legendary assassin trying to retire when his former employer marks him as a liability and sends a squad of younger killers to take him out.
Mikkelsen is perfectly cast as the world-weary hitman forced back into the game. He’s just so effortlessly badass. The action scenes are a visual feast, full of bright colors, graphic novel-inspired visuals, and creatively gory kills. Polar fully embraces its own ridiculousness and just has a blast, much like the John Wick movies.
7. Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)
Imagine John Wick crossed with Kill Bill but with a quirky sense of humor and you’ll get Gunpowder Milkshake. Karen Gillan stars as Sam, a second-generation assassin who must reunite with her estranged mother (Lena Headey) and her lethal associates (including Angela Bassett, Michelle Yeoh and Carla Gugino) to protect an 8-year-old girl.
The movie has a unique visual flair, with its retro diners, bowling alleys, and neon-lit libraries. The fight scenes are slick and stylish, often set to a catchy soundtrack. Gillan makes for a badass heroine and the supporting cast of female assassins all get moments to shine. It’s great to see an action flick so dominated by women. Gunpowder Milkshake is a fun, poppy blast of action.
8. Equilibrium (2002)
This underrated sci-fi action gem stars Christian Bale as John Preston, an elite law enforcer known as a “Grammaton Cleric” who is tasked with eradicating all emotion in a dystopian future where feelings are outlawed. But when Preston misses a dose of the emotion-suppressing drug and begins to feel, he turns against his overlords.
Equilibrium is famous for its inventive “gun kata” fight style, a fictional martial art that incorporates guns into lightning fast hand-to-hand combat. Bale fully commits to the intense physicality and makes for a compelling action lead. The movie’s unique premise and stylized action set it apart. If you want something like John Wick with a sci-fi twist, check out Equilibrium.
9. The Night Comes for Us (2018)
Another Indonesian action extravaganza, The Night Comes for Us stars The Raid‘s Iko Uwais as Ito, a former triad enforcer who turns against his old gang to protect a young girl. This sparks an all-out war as the triad sends an army of killers, led by Ito’s former best friend, after them.
The Night Comes for Us takes the brutal, bone-crunching action of The Raid and cranks it up to 11. This movie is absolutely relentless in its violence, with some of the most wince-inducing, blood-soaked fights you’ll ever see. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart. But if you can stomach it, the sheer adrenaline rush is unmatched. Fans of John Wick‘s more extreme elements will get a kick out of this one.
10. Oldboy (2003)
Park Chan-wook’s twisted thriller is a classic of South Korean cinema. Oldboy follows Oh Dae-su, a man imprisoned in a room for 15 years without knowing his captor’s motives. When he’s finally released, he embarks on a quest for revenge, aided by his fists and a hammer.
Oldboy is famous for its brutal, hard-hitting action, including a showstopping single-take hallway fight. But it’s also a dark, complex character study with a gut-punch of an ending. Its mix of stylish action, neo-noir mystery, and psychological drama make it a must-see for fans of John Wick‘s more cerebral elements.
11. The Villainess (2017)
If you loved the female-led action of Atomic Blonde, you need to check out this South Korean revenge flick. The Villainess stars Kim Ok-bin as Sook-hee, a woman trained from a young age to be an assassin. After completing a mission, she gets a new face and identity, but her past comes back to haunt her.
The Villainess features some truly jaw-dropping action sequences, including a bravura opening POV fight scene that will leave you breathless. Ok-bin is a revelation as the deadly anti-heroine, equally convincing in the dramatic moments and the brutal action. The movie also has a complex, twisty plot that keeps you guessing. It’s a must-see for fans of stylish, female-driven action.
12. Upgrade (2018)
This sci-fi action-horror hybrid stars Logan Marshall-Green as Grey Trace, a man left paralyzed after a mugging that also killed his wife. He’s implanted with an experimental AI chip called STEM that allows him to walk again – and to take violent revenge on those responsible.
Upgrade has some of the most unique and inventive action scenes in recent memory, with Marshall-Green’s movements a jerky, unnatural mix of human and machine. The fights are bloody and intense, with a darkly humorous edge. The movie also has a pulpy cyberpunk aesthetic and a surprisingly engaging mystery. It’s the perfect pick for fans of John Wick‘s more outlandish, sci-fi-tinged elements.
13. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
The original Bourne trilogy set a new standard for gritty, grounded action thrillers and influenced countless movies, including John Wick. The Bourne Ultimatum, the third and arguably best installment, sees amnesiac assassin Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) uncovering more secrets about his past while evading the CIA.
Damon is fantastic as the tortured super-soldier, and the supporting cast, including Joan Allen, Julia Stiles and David Strathairn, is top-notch. But it’s the action that really shines. From a pulse-pounding car chase in New York to a brutal hand-to-hand showdown in Tangier, The Bourne Ultimatum delivers one white-knuckle set piece after another. It’s a masterclass in visceral, hard-hitting action.
14. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
The Mission: Impossible franchise has been a reliable source of spectacular action for over two decades, but it reached new heights with Fallout. Tom Cruise once again stars as IMF agent Ethan Hunt, who races against time to recover stolen plutonium while battling a devious arms dealer and a team of rogue assassins.
Fallout features some of the most audacious, jaw-dropping stunts ever put on film, from a HALO jump to a helicopter chase over the Kashmir mountains. Cruise famously does his own stunts and the authenticity is palpable. The movie also has a labyrinthine spy plot full of double-crosses and a strong emotional core. It’s blockbuster action filmmaking at its finest.
15. The Killer (1989)
Any discussion of stylish action movies has to include the work of Hong Kong legend John Woo. The Killer, one of his most celebrated films, stars Chow Yun-fat as Ah Jong, an assassin who accidentally damages the eyes of a beautiful singer during a shootout. He takes on one last job to pay for her surgery, but things go wrong when his boss double-crosses him.
The Killer is a masterpiece of gun fu, with beautifully choreographed shootouts that are equal parts graceful and violent. Chow is the epitome of cool as the trench coat-wearing, gun-slinging hitman with a heart of gold. The movie also has a strong emotional core, with the bond between Ah Jong and the singer unexpectedly poignant. John Wick owes a huge debt to the groundbreaking work of John Woo.
16. The Equalizer (2014)
Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall, a former special agent who faked his death to live a quiet life in Boston. But when he comes out of his self-imposed retirement to rescue a young girl, Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), he finds himself face to face with ultra-violent Russian gangsters.
The Equalizer is a gritty, stylish action-thriller that lets Washington really flex his action chops. The fight scenes are brutal and inventive, with McCall using everything from corkscrews to barbed wire to dispatch his foes. Washington brings his trademark intensity and charisma to the role, making McCall a compelling anti-hero. If you love John Wick‘s themes of a retired killer drawn back into the game, The Equalizer delivers that in spades.
17. A Bittersweet Life (2005)
This South Korean neo-noir stars Lee Byung-hun as Kim Sun-woo, a high-ranking enforcer and manager for a cold and calculating crime boss. He’s tasked with watching the boss’s young mistress, but when he makes the mistake of falling for her, he pays a terrible price and is left for dead. He survives and plots his revenge.
A Bittersweet Life is a stylish, moody thriller with bursts of intense violence. Lee is magnetic as the slick, sharply-dressed anti-hero whose cool exterior masks boiling emotions. The action is fast and furious, with several memorable set pieces including a stunning hallway fight. The film also has a strong emotional core, with Sun-woo’s journey from cold-hearted killer to a man seeking redemption. It’s a must-see for fans of neo-noir and Korean action cinema.
18. The Protector (2005)
Thai martial arts star Tony Jaa made his debut in 2003’s Ong-Bak, but it was 2005’s The Protector (also known as Tom-Yum-Goong) that really showcased his incredible skills. Jaa plays Kham, a young fighter raised to be the guardian of a family of war elephants. When the elephants are stolen by an international crime syndicate, Kham must travel to Australia to get them back.
The Protector features some of the most jaw-dropping martial arts action ever put on film. Jaa’s Muay Thai fighting style is a thing of beauty, and he performs all his own stunts without wires or CGI. The highlight is an astonishing four-minute long take where Kham fights his way up a spiral staircase, taking on dozens of thugs. It’s an action scene for the ages. If you love John Wick‘s intense, close-quarters combat, The Protector delivers that in spades.
19. Collateral (2004)
Michael Mann’s neo-noir thriller stars Tom Cruise against type as Vincent, a ruthless contract killer who hijacks a cab driven by Max (Jamie Foxx) and forces him to drive him around Los Angeles for a night as he carries out a series of hits.
Shot in a grainy, digital style that gives the nighttime L.A. streets an eerie glow, Collateral is a tense, gripping thriller. Cruise is chillingly effective as the gray-haired, sharply-dressed assassin, his calm demeanor masking a shark-like brutality. Foxx is also excellent as the put-upon cabbie in way over his head. The action is swift and sudden, often erupting out of nowhere. The highlight is a blistering close-quarters gunfight in a nightclub. Collateral may not be as action-packed as John Wick, but it shares that film’s sleek style, fatalistic tone, and depiction of an underworld “hidden” in plain sight.
20. Dredd (2012)
Based on the cult British comic book, Dredd stars Karl Urban as Judge Dredd, a law enforcer given the power of judge, jury and executioner in a dystopian future city. Dredd is tasked with evaluating a rookie judge named Anderson (Olivia Thirlby) who has powerful psychic abilities. The two are soon trapped in a 200-story high-rise controlled by a vicious drug lord named Ma-Ma (Lena Headey) and must fight their way to the top floor.
Dredd is essentially The Raid meets Robocop, with Urban’s Dredd an unstoppable force much like John Wick. The action is ultra-violent and stylishly shot, with Dredd’s high-tech weaponry put to very bloody use. Urban is perfectly cast, his chin the only part of his face you see, but he still exudes a grim charisma. The world-building is also top-notch, immersing you in the grimy, neon-lit hellscape of Mega-City One. Dredd is a cult gem and a must-see for any action fan.
These 20 action-packed movies all deliver the same kind of stylish thrills, intense combat, and compelling anti-heroes as the John Wick series. Whether it’s martial arts mayhem, gun-fu action, or gritty crime thrillers, these films will definitely scratch that John Wick itch. So queue them up, sit back, and enjoy the ride!
