5. John Wick
Despite it being one of the newest entries on this list, few people would argue that John Wick should rank among the best movie franchises of all time. The movies star Keanu Reeves as the eponymous hero, a retired hitman who is forced back into action when his peaceful existence is threatened. Currently comprised of four main movies and spin-off, John Wick is undoubtedly one of the most respected action franchises of modern times.
Building upon the beloved status of its star, John Wick has made its protagonist one of the most likable and deadly movie characters of all time. A hitman with a heart of gold and a man of few words, Wick is already an action movie icon, despite not having been around as long as may of his contemporaries. This is a huge part of the franchise’s appeal, but it’s not all.
The John Wick movies revel in their dedication to factual accuracy regarding their action scenes. Reeves himself has become an expert marksman in order to play the role, and the hyper-violence and staggering body counts on display in each of the John Wick movies are testament to the thrills offered by the franchise. There are few franchises in cinema with the same clear sense of identity as John Wick, and that’s ultimately why it earns a place on our list.