News

It's a dangerous game to try and mix things up with a franchise, even more so when you dare to spin-off a big screen universe into a television show. That's the issue the "John Wick" property ran into when someone got the bright idea to give us "The Continental," a prequel series that explored how Winston (who's played by Ian McShane as an older man in the "John Wick" movies) came into ownership of the titular hotel -- a place where assassins can kick off their shoes and spend a few nights knowing their fellow hit-people are forbidden from killing anyone on the consecrated ground. But while "The Continental" was based on an interesting idea, its execution was anything but successful, with the show earning a pretty harsh response from critics.

/FIlm's own Jeremy Mathai called "The Continental" a "lifeless, joyless, and ultimately pointless return to the Wick-verse" in his review,...

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina passes one of its final box office milestones as the spinoff becomes available on VOD. The latest John Wick spinoff follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), who seeks revenge against an assassin cult responsible for her father's death. Despite high anticipation, Ballerina debuted with just $24 million during its opening weekend, but it steadily passed a few box office milestones.

Now, according to The Numbers, Ballerina has just crossed $130 million at the global box office. The box office total consists of $57 million domestically and $73 million internationally. However, it won't be enough to make any charting impact, as Ballerina remains the second-lowest-grossing movie in the John Wick franchise, just ahead of the original 2014 installment.

Why Ballerina Is Not Exactly A Disappointment Despite Underwhelming Box Office The John Wick Spinoff Is Doing Well On VOD

Although the $130 million box office sounds impressive at a glance, it's...

As Denzel Washington’s next movie, Highest 2 Lowest, prepares to begin its theatrical run, one of his older films has returned to streaming glory 15 years later. Washington stars alongside Gary Oldman and Mila Kunis in The Book of Eli, the 2010 R-rated dystopian western following a drifter who fights across a ravaged, post-apocalyptic America while protecting a sacred book that holds humanity’s only chance of salvation. The Book of Eli is streaming on AMC+ in America, and it’s one of the most popular movies on the streamer, charting in the top five in recent days. The film grossed $157 million at the box office against an $80 million budget, and it earned a 46% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a 64% on the audience-driven Popcornmeter.

Gary Whitta wrote the script for The Book of Eli, with Albert and Allen Hughes (The Hughes Brothers) stepping behind the camera to direct. Whitta...

It shouldn't be all that surprising that action franchises built around one unstoppable hero have a tough time extending their cinematic worlds beyond that central figure. Lionsgate is the latest studio to struggle in that regard, with John Wick himself proving to be the biggest problem with building out that particular cinematic universe. Try as they might, the studio and its burgeoning on-screen world can't escape the shadow of the Baba Yaga, as evidenced by the disappointment that was TV spin-off "The Continental." With the latest movie spin-off, "Ballerina," struggling at the box office, it looks like the John Wick saga might be dead in the water — at least until Keanu Reeves agrees to come back for one more round.

But the "John Wick" saga is far from the first action franchise to encounter this issue. Just look at the Jason Bourne films. Back in 2002, director Doug Liman and star...

After Keanu Reeves' assassin seemingly perished at the end of "John Wick: Chapter 4," it seems he's set for a return. "John Wick 5" will bring Keanu back from the dead, with studio Lionsgate keen to keep the franchise's momentum going after a couple of spin-off missteps, the latest being the Ana de Armas-starring "Ballerina."

Sadly, the box office returns for "Ballerina" appeared to be a death sentence for the John Wick universe, which only really seems to bring in crowds when the man himself is front and center. With a 76% Rotten Tomatoes score, an A- Cinemascore, and a title that makes no secret of the film being "From the World of John Wick," "Ballerina" should have done better than $109 million on a $90 million budget. So, why didn't it? Well, the obvious answer is, again, because John Wick wasn't the main attraction, and with TV spin-off "The Continental" also falling flat,...

The Baba Yaga makes a brief detour from his story in an unreleased From the World of John Wick: Ballerina clip.

The deleted scene, released by IGN, offers a more concrete explanation of how John Wick (Keanu Reeves) got involved in Eve Macarro's (Ana de Armas) journey during the spinoff's final act, leading to their much-hyped confrontation. Set aboard a train, it sees Wick awakened by an employee who reveals that the initial travel schedule has been changed, leading to him taking a call from Anjelica Huston's Director. Having lent him transport in John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum in exchange for a favor, the Director reveals she's cashing in that favor earlier than expected due to Eve's vendetta stirring up tension for the Ruska Roma. The Director also subtly threatens to revoke Wick's own protection if he doesn't comply, forcing him to go along with this request.

As the...

A John Wick spinoff movie that made $105 million at the box office is now available on digital platforms after spending one month in theaters. The action franchise started in 2014 with John Wick, starring Keanu Reeves as the legendary assassin who comes out of retirement to seek revenge against those who killed his dog, a final gift from his recently deceased wife.

Since then, the franchise and its intricate mythology have expanded significantly with three sequels and John Wick: Chapter 5 currently in the works, all directed by Chad Stahelski. Other than the mainline movies, there have also been various spin-offs that have expanded the franchise. This includes the Peacock miniseries The Continental, exploring the origins of the titular hotel and assassin safe haven.

There are also several John Wick spinoff movies in the works, including one focused on Caine with Donnie Yen reprising his role from John Wick: Chapter 4 in addition to directing.

Despite a worrying opening, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina continues to climb Lionsgate's charts. The fifth movie in the John Wick franchise follows ballerina Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) as she attempts to avenge her late father. Alongside de Armas, Keanu Reeves reprises his role as John Wick and helps Eve fight against the villainous Cult.

Ballerina is not the first spin-off in franchise history, coming after the TV show The Continental, but it is the first to reach theaters. As Lionsgate hopes to expand the franchise without involving Wick in every project, Ballerina gives a taste of the expanded assassin's world and consequences.

According to a report by Deadline, the movie is expected to earn $2 million in its fourth weekend at the domestic box office. That represents a 55% drop from last week, but it also means that it will cross the $55 million mark by the end of this weekend.

Ballerina Worldwide Box Office ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Ballerina spins its way into Lionsgate’s top 50 highest-grossing films, pulling in more than $105 million worldwide after about three weeks on the big screen. The film, with Ana de Armas leading the story as Eve Macarro, follows her quest for revenge after her father’s murder. However, the film’s box office run has felt more like a slow burn than a big bang despite coming from the hit world of John Wick.

Ballerina Crosses $105 Million At Worldwide Box Office

Ballerina opened with a modest $24 million weekend and has steadily climbed, hitting $52.3 million in the US and $53 million overseas, making it a total of $106 million per The Numbers. That’s enough to push past films like Escape Plan ($103.7m), My Bloody Valentine ($102.8m), and even a couple of Saw titles (Saw VI and Saw). Ballerina now sits at number 48 on Lionsgate’s all-time list.

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina hits a major box office milestone, enough to land on the studio's highest-grossing charts. The new spinoff centers on Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), who seeks revenge against a group that killed her father. Despite its anticipation, the John Wick movie debuted with just $24 million during its opening weekend.

According to The Numbers,Ballerina has just crossed $105 million at the global box office after being in theaters for roughly three weeks. The latest milestone consists of $52.3 million domestically and $53 million internationally.

This is enough for the spinoff to land in Lionsgate's top 50 highest-grossing charts, ranking at no. 48. It was able to surpass movies like My Bloody Valentine, Escape Plan, and two Saw installments.

Why Is Ballerina Not A Box Office Success Despite The Global Milestone? Ballerina Just Recently Surpassed Its Budget Amount

While Ballerina was able to climb Lionsgate's highest-grossing charts, that...

Three years after it came to an end on TNT, the underrated crime thriller starring The Pitt's Shawn Hatosy, Animal Kingdom, is finding new life on Netflix. Hatosy plays a very different character from Dr. Jack Abbot in the HBO Max series, taking on the role of a mentally disturbed ex-con in this one, which was adapted from the Australian film of the same name and focuses on a man who moves to Southern California to live with his freewheeling relatives after his mom dies. The catch? They all make their living through unsavory activities.

Hitting Netflix earlier this month, Animal Kingdom has been a huge success thus far on the streaming service, and currently sits in the #6 position on the list of Top 10 TV Shows in the United States. Its Netflix debut is also a huge win for star Jake Weary, who now appears in two hit streaming shows,...

Netflix's new gritty crime series with a John Wick-like premise tops the global streaming charts one week after its release. Following one man's desire for revenge after his puppy was fatally harmed, the Keanu Reeves-led film kickstarted a franchise, followed by three more sequels as the conflicts intensified between the titular assassin and the crime world he once swore to serve. Recently, Reeves returned to the world of John Wick in the Ana de Armas-led Ballerina that sees a new assassin embark on a journey of revenge.

While the franchise's TV series The Continental failed to achieve the same level of success as the main feature films, Netflix's streaming library has beenhome to many fabulous crime series, including Ozark, Killing Eve, Peaky Blinders, Better Call Saul, and The Blacklist. Series such as the true-crime-inspired Mindhunter and Narcos, the latter of which chronicles the rise of the cocaine trade in Colombia,...

When it was first released in 2014, John Wick was an entirely new type of action movie. While it initially appeared to be a standard but original thriller, it quickly proved to be anything but. With Keanu Reeves showcasing his unique gun-fu fighting style, the franchise drew in enthralled audiences by building on its unique lore and exceptional fight choreography. Across five movies, including the recent spinoff From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, it has earned over $1 billion at the worldwide box office.

While the most recent mainline John Wick movie implied that Wick would not return, John Wick: Chapter 5 has been confirmed and is in active development. Reeves will be working alongside director and creator Chad Stahelski again, as the two add another story to Wick's tragic life. It is coming after two major spinoffs were already released, including Ballerina and the TV miniseries, The Continental. As Chapter 5 remains in development,...

Ana de Armas’ Ballerina received mixed reactions from fans and critics, with some calling it an uninspired action franchise feeding off John Wick’s popularity. A spinoff only works when it distinguishes itself from the original material, and director Len Wiseman insisted this is what he did with the movie.

Wiseman is no stranger to the action genre. He’s known for helming Kate Beckinsale’s Underworld, Bruce Willis’ Live Free or Die Hard, and Colin Farrell’s Total Recall, so Ballerina should have been easy-peasy for him. The mission was to make it stand out and not look like a rip-off of John Wick.

Ballerina director states his movie is not another version of John Wick Ana de Armas in a still from Ballerina / Credits: Lionsgate Films

The idea for Ballerina came as early as 2017 after Lionsgate Films acquired Shay Hatten’s action thriller script. The concept was planned...

A couple of years ago, Lionsgate found itself in a pickle. The studio's crown jewel franchise, John Wick, was seemingly at a dead end, with the protagonist having been killed off in the fourth film, John Wick: Chapter 4. By that time, the franchise had grossed over $1 billion at the global box office. Before the studio officially announced that the series would be back with a fifth installment, it put together a streaming show in order to keep the franchise ticking. The show, The Continental: From the World of John Wick, is experiencing a spike in interest on Prime Video, probably thanks to the release of last week's From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, the franchise's first theatrical spin-off.

According to FlixPatrol, The Continental was the eighth-biggest show on Prime Video on June 11, with 97 points. The three-episode series has accumulated a total of 444 points so far this year. Led by Colin Woodell,...

11 years ago, Keanu Reeves hadn’t had a hit movie in several years, Chad Stahelski was a stunt performer who had yet to direct a movie, and action cinema was in a bit of a rut. All that changed with the release of a little movie called “John Wick,” one that brought some much-needed spark to its genre.

Named after Reeves’ taciturn lead, the original 2014 “John Wick” was on paper a relatively straightforward revenge story, following a legendary hitman who reenters the criminal underworld to get revenge on the men who killed his dog (a storyline that provided a long-lasting icon for animal lovers everywhere). What made it stand out against a sea of similar films was the care with which Stahelski and writer Derek Kolstad fleshed out this world, placing Wick’s quest for vengeance in an over-the-top universe of cartoonish assassins who abide by their own rules and...

One unique quality of the “John Wick” franchise — and one Lionsgate has been happy to tout — is that each entry in the series has been bigger than the last. Audiences can’t seem to get enough of “Wick.”

But for the franchise’s first (big screen) spinoff, one that’s introducing a new character and turns Keanu Reeves’ iconic Wick into a supporting character, it would not have been fair to expect “Ballerina” to continue that growth streak. Still, the Ana de Armas-led action film underperformed even with lower expectations. Opening to an estimated $25 million domestic, it’s lower than all but the original “Wick” movie from 2014, which opened to $14.4 million before becoming a sleeper hit.

Tracking suggested “Ballerina” could surpass $35 million domestic and take down “Lilo & Stitch” from the #1 spot. With $32.5 million, the Disney live-action remake will stay on top for a third week. And even Lionsgate...

Chad Stahelski explains why he has no interest in doing a live-action John Wick prequel movie, and says Keanu Reeves agrees with him. Reeves indeed seemed ready for a break from the rigors of shooting and stuntwork after Baba Yaga was apparently killed in the closing moments of John Wick: Chapter 4. But the Wick franchise is proving as unrelenting as its namesake character. All indications are that John Wick 5 is coming, and Reeves will be back. In the meantime, fans can enjoy spinoff Ballerina, currently in theaters, while also looking forward to a recently-announced anime prequel.

Cool as an anime-style John Wick movie is likely to be, questions continue to arise about a possible live-action film in the same prequel vein, but director Stahelski is quick to shoot down such speculation, explaining recently why a non-animated John Wick origin story isn't something he or Reeves are interested in (via...

This article contains spoilers for "Ballerina."

If there's one thing the industry is deathly allergic to when it comes to franchise filmmaking, it's finality. I'll never forget going to see "John Wick: Chapter 4," a strikingly beautiful action epic for the ages, and arriving at the film's final moments. The blocking of a sunrise overlooking a cemetery all but premeditated a shot of its legend hiding in the distance, but to my pleasant surprise, the film simply ended. The legendary John Wick (Keanu Reeves) was dead, and that was that. I've rarely felt so relieved to see such a bold and concrete statement from a franchise that could have milked this character dry. It was a nice thought.

Spin-offs of the Wick-verse were inevitably going to happen, but Lionsgate doing everything in their power to nudge Chad Stahelski into willing "John Wick: Chapter 5" into existence feels so deflating. For four films,...

Just because a movie or show is spun off from a hit doesn’t mean it will stand on its own. This is the case with pretty much everything that is linked to John Wick. We saw it over the weekend with Ballerina – which seriously underperformed at the box office – and we saw it with TV series The Continental. And while John Wick franchise head Chad Stahelski still has faith in Ballerina as a producer, he continues to look down upon The Continental.

Chad Stahelski recently sat down with The Hollywood Reporter for an extensive interview in which he discussed not only the John Wick movies but the multiple spin-offs that have been out and are in the works. One of the key takeaways that that he says those who actually worked on The Continental just assumed that because it was a John Wick spin-off that it would be a hit.

The following article contains spoilers for the John Wick franchise.

Chad Stahelski, the filmmaker behind the visionary action franchise John Wick, has offered his harsh opinion on the TV spin-off released by Peacock, The Continental. The director behind all the John Wick films participated in the TV project as executive producer. However, he still slammed the series, saying that it lacked everything that made the action movies led by Keanu Reeves so memorable.

Stahelski recently sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to talk about the extremely successful action franchise, which has recently released its latest spin-off, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina. The film stars Ana de Armas, and actually features Reeves reprising his role as the legendary assassin-for-hire. Ballerina takes place between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4, and early reviews confirm that it's a solid addition to the franchise. Unlike The Continental: From the World of John Wick.

The official convoluted yet more beguiling title to the 2025 movie Ballerina directed by Len Wiseman is From the World of John Wick: Ballerina. We all know that this is because firstly, ‘Ballerina’ is a terrible film name and John Wick is a fantastic fan favourite franchise.

Ballerina isn’t the first spin-off to use the moniker of one of Keanu Reeves most popular and pain-inducing characters. The excellent prequel TV miniseries The Continental, which detailed the rise to power of one of John Wick’s key characters Winston Scott was also tagged as being ‘From the World of John Wick’.

But what does that strange subtitle actually mean? Well, what started as a seemingly middle of the road revenge story in 2014, penned by Derek Kolstad, has turned into a sprawling epic all action quadrilogy. It was elevated above other martial arts and trigger happy flicks by its lead actor, some...

Warning! Spoilers for "Ballerina" follow.

The villains of the "John Wick" films are largely incidental. They can be effective challenges for Mr. Wick (Keanu Reeves), but no one goes to these movies for the bad guys. We go to see John blow them away. Does the new spin-off "Ballerina" change that?

The primary villain of "Ballerina" is a man called the Chancellor. True to his title, the Chancellor leads a community of assassins based in the Austrian mountains. Eve's (Ana de Armas) late mother was a member of the Chancellor's community but tried to leave with her husband, Javier (David Castañeda). The Chancellor came to retrieve Eve and murdered Javier, but Eve escaped to be raised by the Ruska Roma mafia.

Our Ballerina now wants revenge on the man who murdered her father. It's a tale as old as time — definitely much more old hat than tearing through the New...

A few months ago, when I was covering CinemaCon for the site, I had the thrill of interviewing none other than Ana de Armas, who teased her role in the John Wick spin-off Ballerina, which opened this week. I enjoyed the action-packed film, and in our chat she talked about her approach to action, and how it felt to reunite with her former Knock Knock co-star, Keanu Reeves, who had actually just filmed the first John Wick when they filmed that Eli Roth movie. She mentioned how surreal it feels to now be leading an instalment in the series with him.

We also got the chance to talk to Norman Reedus, who plays a small, but pivotal role in the film as an assasin who seeks shelter in The Continental, and reminds de Armas’s Eve Macarro of her father, who died protecting her as a child, paving the way for an action-packed second half.

Lionsgate is rapidly expanding the "John Wick" universe. "Ballerina," aka "Ballerina: From the World of John Wick," is in theaters now and serves as the first theatrical spin-off in the very successful action movie franchise. It's not the first spin-off overall, though. That distinction goes to "The Continental," a prequel TV series the producers once called a "genius idea." It turned out to be a big swing and a miss, sort of existing as the oft-ignored stepchild of the universe at present.

The series takes place in the 1970s and centers on a young Winston Scott (Colin Woodell), the character played by Ian McShane in the films, and shows us how he came to control The Continental hotel in New York City, a famous safe haven for assassins. On paper, it doesn't sound like a bad story to tell. The execution, however, left much to be desired. /Film's Jeremy Mathai called "The Continental" a "lifeless,...

Filmmaker Chad Stahelski helmed the four John Wick movies, all of which have been huge critical and commercial successes. The first big screen spin-off, Ballerina, is now playing in theaters, and the movie (which includes a cameo appearance from Keanu Reeves' assassin) is off to a strong start.

In contrast, The Continental: From the World of John Wick TV series on Peacock drew mixed reviews and came and went without leaving much of a lasting impact. It boasted a solid cast, including Mel Gibson and Colin Woodell, but Winston Scott's early years lacked that John Wick magic.

Talking to The Hollywood Reporter (via ActioNewz.com), Stahelski confirmed that neither he nor Reeves were closely involved with the show...and that he wasn't a fan of what The Continental tried to be.

"Keanu and I were — I wouldn’t say sidelined, but our opinion was heard and not really noted.

Yeah, I'm thinking spoiler warnings are back. Continue reading only after watching "Ballerina".

Finally, over a decade after the first "John Wick" movie arrived and promptly rewrote how we look at action movies, the series has experienced its first big-screen expansion into franchise territory. The question of whether we truly needed a spin-off movie about a new character originating from one of the Wick-verse's many colorful factions of assassins is certainly a valid one, and the jury remains out for the time being. But, from a more metatextual point of view, the idea of whether a "John Wick" movie centered on someone other than Keanu Reeves' title character could possibly sustain itself might be even more compelling.

Even the most cynical of viewers will likely walk away from "Ballerina" convinced that Ana de Armas holds her own (and then some) as our new vengeance-driven hero Eve Macarro, but star power...

Ballerina now ties for a Rotten Tomatoes record with another John Wick movie. Ana de Armas leads the franchise's first movie spinoff, with her character Eve Macarro seeking revenge against an unorthodox organization, Cult. Although the spinoff faced several delays and reported reshoots, it finally made its way to theaters, with critical reception trending generally positive. ScreenRant's Rachel Labonte gave Ballerina a 6 out of 10 stars, praising de Armas' performance while noting issues with the plot and silly villain. Overall, the spinoff has a 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, and it's the lowest among the whole John Wick movie franchise.

However, per Rotten Tomatoes,Ballerina now ties with John Wick: Chapter 4 with the best audience score in the entire franchise. With over 500 audience ratings calculated, the spinoff currently has a 93% Popcornmeter. While the score is likely to change as more moviegoers see the newest installment, it does show that the general audience...

You know a spinoff is in big trouble when the guys who made the franchise aren’t involved. That’s exactly what happened with The Continental, the Peacock series that aimed to expand the John Wick universe by exploring Winston’s rise in the 1970s. While it found an audience and broke some streaming records, John Wick director and co-creator Chad Stahelski says he and Keanu Reeves were mostly sidelined — and it shows.

“Keanu and I were — I wouldn’t say sidelined, but our opinion was heard and not really noted,” Stahelski revealed to THR. “[The studio] tried to convince me they knew what they were doing. A group of individuals thought they had the magic sauce.”

What exactly went wrong? Stahelski didn’t mince words about what makes the Wick universe work — and why a checklist approach just doesn’t cut it.

“If you take out Basil Iwanyk’s producing intuitiveness,...

After four movies and killing nearly 1000 people, Keanu Reeves' time as the iconic assassin came to an end in 2023's John Wick: Chapter 4... or did it? Following the film's release and dominating box office success, franchise director Chad Stahelski said that he and Keanu Reeves were having discussions about John Wick 5, despite Chapter 4 bringing the character's arc to a very definitive close. With the upcoming release of Ballerina, the first feature film spin-off, Stahelski has updated fans about the future of the John Wick franchise, and things are looking positive.

Chad Stahelski spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about his work on the John Wick franchise, Ballerina, the Wick Is Pain documentary, and the possibility of John Wick 5. "I’m not going to lie to you, it’s a bit of a conundrum," Stahelski said of (spoiler alert!) killing John Wick at the end of Chapter 4. The last time the...

As the “John Wick” series enters its second decade, Lionsgate has made it clear that the Baba Yaga and his world of assassins are a big part of their theatrical future. We will get answers on how big its reach could be starting this weekend with “Ballerina,” a spinoff starring Ana de Armas as a new vengeance-seeking killer.

“From the World of John Wick: Ballerina” got its start as a BlackList script written by Shay Hatten after being inspired by watching “John Wick: Chapter 2,” which Lionsgate enjoyed so much that they picked it up in 2017 and called on Hatten to rewrite his script to fit into the “Wick” universe known as The Continental.

Now it is part of a flurry of new “Wick” IP coming from Lionsgate in the years ahead. Along with “Ballerina,” Lionsgate is developing “John Wick 5,” a new mainline sequel that will bring back Keanu Reeves...

John Wick director Chad Stahelski opens up about his less-than-stellar experience on The Continental.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Stahelski was asked about why he was less involved in The Continental, the John Wick spinoff series, than he had been with the films. "Keanu [Reeves] and I were — I wouldn’t say sidelined, but our opinion was heard and not really noted," Stahelski replied. "[The studio] tried to convince me they knew what they were doing. A group of individuals thought they had the magic sauce."

"But if you take out Basil Iwanyk’s producing intuitiveness, if you take out Keanu’s way of delivering quirky dialogueand if you take out all the visuals I have in my head… then it’s not the same thing," Stahelski continued. "They thought this was as easy as using anamorphic lenses, do a kooky hotel, put in weird dialogue, and insert crime drama. If you saw our process,...

It’s been 11 years since John Wick introduced us to a grieving hitman who just wanted to mourn his wife and pet his dog in peace. That small film, directed by Chad Stahelski and written by Derek Kolstad, sparked a full-blown action franchise, resurrected Keanu Reeves’ career, and added “gun-fu” to the pop culture dictionary. Now, after four adrenaline-drenched films and a misfired detour in the form of The Continental, we’re back in that violent, suit-tailored universe with Ballerina, a new spin-off that gives Ana de Armas all the powers of Baba Yaga. Just like the first film in the franchise, the story here is straightforward. Eve Macarro lives with her father, Javier Macarro (David Castañeda), near the coast, protected by the surrounding waters and the army of guards around their home. But things take a turn for the worse when The Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne) comes looking for Javier.

John Wick creator Chad Stahelski is attempting one of the trickiest pivots in Hollywood: Turn a series of hit movies with a dead hero into a broader franchise. His four John Wick films starring Keanu Reeves as a stoic ronin gunslinger have been a rousing success for studio Lionsgate. But his last effort, 2023’s John Wick: Chapter 4, killed off its world-weary protagonist in a finale that felt perfectly fitting. After the film grossed nearly half a billion dollars, Lionsgate and Stahelski suddenly had a high-class problem: John Wick the franchise clearly has a lot more life left in it, while the John Wick character was seemingly six feet under.

What to do? Lionsgate attempted (without Stahelski and Reeves) a Peacock spinoff TV limited series titled The Continental, which fell flat (Stahelski has thoughts about this). This week sees the release of the franchise’s first spinoff movie, Ballerina, which...

Where To Watch All John Wick Movies & Series On Ott(Photo Credit –Facebook)

After a delay of one year, the eagerly anticipated John Wick spin-off Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas in the titular role, is slated for a theatrical release on June 6, 2025, in the US and on June 13 in Indian theatres. The action thriller film has been directed by Len Wiseman and has already received a critics’ score of 78% on Rotten Tomatoes. If you’re interested in checking out or revisiting all John Wick films and the spin-off series The Continental, then we have got you covered. Here is where you can watch them on Ott platforms in India.

1. John Wick Release Year – 2014 Director – Chad Stahelski IMDb Rating – 7.5/10 Streaming On – Lionsgate Play & Amazon Prime Video (Rent)

Plot: This high-octane action thriller follows legendary former hitman John Wick (played by Keanu Reeves), who has left the world of crime behind to live a peaceful life.

Tom Cruise’s latest adventure as Ethan Hunt is about to begin its third weekend in theaters, and he’s already endorsing the next movie he thinks is worth seeing. Cruise took to his personal Instagram to help promote the release of Ballerina, the John Wick spin-off film led by Ana de Armas coming to theaters this weekend. He posted a photo of himself with Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning director Christopher McQuarrie with the caption, “Your mission, should you choose to accept it: a weekend of action on the big screen.” The duo is standing in front of two large posters for Ballerina and The Final Reckoning. Cruise and Armas are both set to star in an upcoming underwater thriller, Deeper, which features a script from McQuarrie. Doug Liman is currently attached to direct.

Ballerina is the first spin-off film to come from the John Wick universe, which...

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina takes place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, and follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.

There's been some scepticism surrounding the movie, particularly after reports of issues on set. However, Lionsgate would later deny that Chad Stahelski had to step in and take charge of things from Len Wiseman, a filmmaker with a spotty track record at best (his credits include Underworld and Total Recall).

Still, de Armas has showcased her action star abilities in No Time to Die, and it sounds like she and Wiseman have delivered with this first big screen John Wick spin-off.

The review embargo for Ballerina lifted last night, and critics have mostly positive things to say. While it doesn't sound like the movie breaks any new ground, de Armas is being unanimously praised,...

The world of John Wick expands this weekend with the arrival of Ballerina in cinemas, and MovieWeb has one final exclusive look at Ana De Armas' introduction to the franchise. You can see our final new image along with previously shared images in this article.

Ballerina is the latest installment of the John Wick saga, and just like the event-series, The Continental, the movie builds on the lore of the franchise with a mix of new and old characters in a story that takes place between the events of John Wick Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick Chapter 4. Check out our final preview image below.

Lionsgate

The movie sees de Armas playing Eve Macarro, an assassin being trailed in the traditions of the Ruska Roma. However, her life takes an even darker turn when she is forced to head down a path of vengeance to find and kill those responsible for the death of her family.

From The World of John Wick: Ballerina's debut Rotten Tomatoes score preserves John Wick's impressive streak despite its ranking in the overall franchise. From The World of John Wick: Ballerina isn't the first official John Wick spinoff – that honor belongs to The Continental: From The World of John Wick, a prequel miniseries that explores the mystery of John Wick's assassin-friendly hotels. Ballerina, on the other hand, follows Ana de Armas' Eve Macarro, who was adopted by the Ruska Roma after her father was brutally murdered. What follows is, of course, a fast-paced tale of revenge.

Despite being the John Wick franchise's first official movie spinoff (which includes a Keanu Reeves cameo), Ballerina hasn't quite managed to reach the heights of its predecessors. Currently, Ballerina's Rotten Tomatoes critics' score stands at a respectable 77% (it debuted at 75%). That gives Ballerina the second-lowest score in the franchise, far above The Continental's...

Ana de Armas proves that her character, Eve Macarro, can definitely hold her own in the Baba Yaga’s (Keanu Reeves) universe, but except for the poorly received Peacock series The Continental, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina registers the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score of the entire action franchise. While most of the reviews posted on Rt by the critics praise de Armas and appreciate Reeves’ return as the Boogeyman, the Tomatometer currently sits at 78% against 80 reviews. MovieWeb’s 3.5/5-star assessment, which praises de Armas’ physicality and performance, reads as follows:

"Armas is in peak physical form in the wicked fight scenes. Although she's not tall or strong enough to overpower bigger opponents, Eve shreds her enemies with tactical precision, and guns are her weapon of choice. As in John Wick, a bullet through the head is the quickest way to take down a target, and Eve rarely misses.

Ballerina & John Wick(Photo Credit –Instagram/Facebook)

Ana de Armas has stepped into the John Wick universe with and as Ballerina. The spin-off feature has finally revealed its critical reception after Lionsgate lifted the review embargo. With a Rotten Tomatoes score reflecting the franchise’s signature action-packed quality, the film proves it can stand tall alongside Keanu Reeves’ iconic series. But does it live up to the John Wick legacy, or is it merely a gender-swapped retread? And what’s the controversy surrounding its censorship of negative reviews? Let’s dive in.

Ballerina Wins Over Critics With Grit & Grace

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina has landed a respectable 77% on Rotten Tomatoes. Based on 69 reviews, with 53 critics giving it a thumbs-up, the actioner has the certified fresh badge for now. While the score could shift as more reviews roll in, it marks a strong debut for Ana de...

You know the saying, “Too much of a good thing can turn a gourmet feast into reheated leftovers”? Well, I’m watching Lionsgate reach for the microwave. Imagine John Wick, not as the blood-slicked ballet of bullets we’ve gasped over, but as an animated figure, possibly PG-13, spun out by AI in three hours flat. That’s not innovation; that’s franchise taxidermy.

Michael Burns, Lionsgate’s vice chairman, recently admitted they’re playing AI roulette with Runway, tinkering with cheaper, faster, algorithmically generated content. Repackage the classics, sprinkle in anime, and resell to teens… voilà! But here’s my two-cent howl: Keanu Reeves deserves a gracious exit, not a Saturday morning cartoon send-off.

I believe John Wick deserves a mythic exit, not a software update. The man has bled enough. Reeves should exit stage left, his dignity unbent, before Wick becomes a franchise on algorithmic autopilot.

Lionsgate wants AI to reimagine movies,...

Ballerina will dance into theaters everywhere this weekend, and we finally have an idea of how it stacks up to previous films in the John Wick franchise. The review embargo for the Ana de Armas-led spin-off film lifted tonight, and early reviews for the film began pouring in. At the time of writing, Ballerina sits at a 76% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, lower than any previous Keanu Reeves-led movie in the franchise. It is, however, higher than the 63% earned by the Peacock spin-off series, The Continental. This 76% score on Rotten Tomatoes comes from 63 reviews, so while it is subject to change, it likely won’t move too far in either direction. If it holds film at above 75%, it will earn the “certified fresh” rating once enough reviews have come in.

There have been plenty of questions raised about how Keanu Reeves will appear as John Wick in...

Ballerina has gotten its debut Rotten Tomatoes score. While the new John Wick spinoff has debuted fresh, it comes with a caveat.

Currently, with its early reviews, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina has a score of 76% on Rotten Tomatoes. This is a respectable score, but it's the lowest of the movies in the John Wick franchise at this point. John Wick: Chapter 4 is still the highest at 95%, while the others include John Wick at 86%, John Wick: Chapter 2 at 89%, and John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum at 89%. Ballerina has a stronger score than the Peacock prequel series, The Continental, which is scored at 63%.

"Ballerina can't elevate itself from 'pretty good' to 'great' the same way previous entries in theJohn Wick franchise have, but it's an enjoyable time at the movies with some fantastic action scenes and one badass leading lady," Bleeding Cool critic Kaitlyn Booth said of the film.

Tasha Robinson of Polygon similarly stated,...

Finally, here's a movie that answers the question, "What would happen if two people shot flamethrowers at each other?" In "Ballerina," things get off to an extremely bumpy start, plodding along with an almost alarming dullness. And then, suddenly, "Ballerina" finds its footing and starts unleashing one delightfully absurd action scene after another. The bottom line: any time the film leans into action, it's a blast. Anytime it slows down to have characters deliver dreary world-building exposition, it's an absolute slog liable to put you in a coma. Perhaps all the action will be enough for some viewers, and I'll confess there are several violent scenarios here that had me laughing with glee and appreciating their inventiveness. But gosh, everything surrounding those action scenes is a real drag, man.

As the marketing makes clear, "Ballerina" is a spin-off of the "John Wick" franchise. Every trailer has put Keanu Reeves' monosyllabic assassin front and center,...

So many of us stumbled blindly into that first John Wick movie, back in 2014 — how were we ever so young and innocent?! — and settled in for what seemed like a simple B-movie starring one half of the Point Break bromance duo/Bill and Ted team. From the moment that Keanu Reeves slapped a gold coin down on the Continental Hotel’s check-in counter, however, audiences slowly realized that this kinetic revenge thriller was taking place in a unique ecosphere of its own. This was just one corner of a far larger sandbox,...

Whether or not Lionsgate’s John Wick spinoff Ballerina clears or falls under $30M this weekend in U.S./Canada, consider the win in favor of exhibition which will have that much more money in the marketplace.

The Ana de Armas action movie is also bowing in 82 countries in what’s expected to be another $30M for a global take, give or take, around $60M; that offshore cash on par to the start of John Wick: Chapter 3. Lionsgate is self-distributing in the UK and Latin America.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

The Len Wiseman $80M-$90M directed movie (largely funded from foreign sales), which was delayed by a year for additional shooting is expected to rank second during the first weekend of June where Disney’s Lilo & Stitch will threepeat No. 1 with $35M, -43%. Lilo & Stitch is flying past $300M this week,...

Ian McShane's Winston has been a constant throughout the John Wick franchise. The character debuted alongside Keanu Reeves' eponymous assassin in 2014's John Wick, and Winston has appeared in every entry since, including the upcoming Ballerina spin-off film and Peacock's divisive prequel series, The Continental (played by Colin Woodell). John Wick 5 appears to be an increasingly strong possibility at Lionsgate, and Ian McShane is expecting to reprise his role for a sixth time.

Ian McShane recently sat down with Dexerto to discuss his return to the franchise in the upcoming From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas. In the build-up to Ballerina's release, which is set between the events of John Wick Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, Reeves' potential return for a fifth film was the big question on every fan's mind. Thankfully, Ian McShane wasted no time in answering it. "Nobody really believes he died,...

Guys, Dexter’s back again, and no, this time you’re not hallucinating from too much Miami sun. Dexter: Resurrection has sliced its way onto Paramount+ with Showtime this July, and the trailer has just dropped at Ccxp Mexico 2025. Now, I’m in a full forensic frenzy.

The upcoming show picks up after Dexter: New Blood, and the sequel confirms what I all low-key suspected, Dexter actually didn’t die. But what’s more exciting is the addition of Peter Dinklage. Yep, the Game of Thrones star has entered the picture bringing his brooding, morally murky charm, and he’s giving serious Tyrion Lannister déjà vu. His character is sharp, clever, and probably hiding a dark secret.

Honestly, watching Dinklage stalk the shadows with cryptic one-liners feels like Westeros got a new zip code.

Peter Dinklage’s Dexter: Resurrection role gives Tyrion Lannister vibes Peter Dinklage in Dexter: Resurrection and...

The lead actor of the anticipated John Wick spinoff, Ballerina, wants in on the main saga chronicling Keanu Reeves' revered assassin. Ana de Armas recently addressed the potential of her character, Eve Macarro, appearing in John Wick 5, saying it would be an "amazing" opportunity.

Speaking with The Direct at the John Wick Experience in Las Vegas, de Armas confirmed she's open to the opportunity, especially given that Wick and Macarro would have established their connection in Ballerina, setting a basis for any future interactions. "That would be really cool," she said. "I would love that. Why not? I mean, they already know each other, right? Like, why wouldn't it? I would love that. That would be amazing."

Despite the ending of Chapter 4, which seemingly saw the demise of Wick following a climactic battle with Donnie Yen's Caine, Lionsgate confirmed the development of John Wick 5shortly after the last sequel's release.