10 John Wick-esque Action Movies You Should Watch

6 min read Post on May 12, 2025

10 John Wick-esque Action Movies You Should Watch

Neo-Noir Thrillers with a Vengeance

John Wick's world is steeped in a neo-noir atmosphere, filled with stylish violence and morally grey characters seeking revenge. These films offer a similar blend of gritty realism and breathtaking action.

Atomic Blonde (2017)

Charlize Theron delivers a breathtaking performance in this spy thriller, showcasing brutal hand-to-hand combat and stylish action sequences reminiscent of John Wick's precision. The Cold War setting adds a layer of intrigue, while the relentless action keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Stunning fight choreography: The fight scenes are meticulously crafted, showcasing a blend of practical effects and innovative camera work.
Cold War setting: The 1980s Berlin backdrop provides a gritty and atmospheric setting for the intense action.
Strong female lead: Theron's portrayal of Lorraine Broughton is powerful and captivating, a welcome contrast to many male-dominated action films.
Relentless action: The film is packed with non-stop action sequences, leaving little room to breathe.

Nobody (2021)

Bob Odenkirk's unexpected action hero turn is a revelation. This film delivers surprising twists, brutal fight sequences, and a satisfyingly violent revenge story. Think John Wick meets a suburban dad – with surprisingly deadly results.

Unexpected action hero: Odenkirk's transformation from comedic actor to brutal action star is a highlight of the film.
Surprising twists: The plot keeps you guessing, with unexpected turns and betrayals.
Gritty realism: The violence is visceral and impactful, grounded in a sense of realistic consequences.
Satisfying violence: The action is both brutal and effective, delivering a cathartic experience for the viewer.

Gun-Fu Masterclasses

John Wick is renowned for his mastery of gun-fu, a unique blend of gunplay and martial arts. These films take that concept to new heights.

The Raid: Redemption (2011) & The Raid 2: Berandal (2014)

These Indonesian action films are known for their intense, claustrophobic fight sequences and relentless action. Prepare for non-stop martial arts mayhem, with innovative choreography and brutal realism.

Intense close-quarters combat: The films are set in a confined building, leading to incredibly intense and up-close fight sequences.
Brutal realism: The violence is graphic and unflinching, adding to the film's raw intensity.
Innovative fight choreography: The fight scenes are incredibly creative and inventive, showcasing a unique style of martial arts.
Indonesian martial arts: The films showcase the skill and precision of Indonesian martial arts, adding a unique flavor to the action.

Shoot 'Em Up (2007)

Clive Owen stars in this ultra-violent, stylish action flick with some of the most creative gunplay ever put to film. Prepare for a wild ride filled with over-the-top action and darkly comedic moments.

Over-the-top action: The film doesn't shy away from excessive violence, embracing a chaotic and thrilling style.
Inventive gunplay: The gun fights are incredibly creative and inventive, featuring unique techniques and strategies.
Darkly comedic tone: Despite the extreme violence, the film maintains a darkly comedic tone, adding a layer of levity to the carnage.
Memorable villain: The film features a memorable and menacing villain who adds to the overall intensity.

Action Movies with a Touch of Class

While brutal, John Wick’s action is also elegant and stylish. These films share that refined approach to violence.

Haywire (2011)

Gina Carano stars in this MMA-infused action thriller, showcasing impressive fight choreography and a strong female lead. The action is realistic and visceral, adding to the film's intensity.

MMA-influenced fight scenes: Carano's real-life MMA background shines through in the realistic and brutal fight choreography.
Realistic action: The fight scenes are grounded in reality, avoiding excessive wire work or unrealistic stunts.
Strong female protagonist: Carano's performance as Mallory Kane is powerful and compelling, a welcome change from many male-dominated action films.
Suspenseful plot: The plot is engaging and suspenseful, keeping you guessing until the very end.

The Night Comes for Us (2018)

A visually stunning Indonesian action film with relentless violence, inventive fight choreography, and a compelling story. This film takes the stylish violence of John Wick to a whole new level.

Brutal violence: The film doesn't shy away from extreme violence, showcasing intense and bloody fight sequences.
Stylish action: The action is choreographed with precision and style, adding to the film's overall aesthetic.
Compelling storyline: The plot is engaging and well-developed, adding depth to the intense action.
Indonesian action cinema at its finest: The film showcases the best of Indonesian action cinema, delivering a unique and thrilling cinematic experience.

Beyond the Gun: Exploring Similar Themes

While guns are central to John Wick, the underlying themes of revenge, precise action, and stylish visuals extend beyond the firearm.

Drive (2011)

While less focused on gunplay, Drive shares John Wick's stylish aesthetic and focus on precise, impactful action sequences. The film's minimalistic dialogue and intense driving scenes create a unique and thrilling experience.

Stylish visuals: The film is visually stunning, with a distinct aesthetic that sets it apart.
Minimalistic dialogue: The film relies on visuals and atmosphere rather than dialogue to convey its story.
Intense driving scenes: The driving sequences are incredibly intense and thrilling, showcasing the character's skill and precision.
Neo-noir atmosphere: The film's neo-noir atmosphere adds to its overall style and mood.

Upgrade (2018)

Sci-fi action with a focus on visceral fight choreography and a revenge plot. This film blends cyberpunk aesthetics with brutal, technologically enhanced action.

Sci-fi elements: The film incorporates sci-fi elements that enhance the action and storytelling.
Intense action sequences: The fight scenes are incredibly intense and visceral, utilizing the sci-fi elements to create unique and exciting sequences.
Revenge story: The film's central plot revolves around revenge, mirroring a key theme in the John Wick franchise.
Cyberpunk influences: The film's cyberpunk influences add a unique and stylish aesthetic to the overall experience.

Conclusion

So, there you have it – 10 action movies that will satisfy your craving for the John Wick-esque blend of stylish violence, intricate fight choreography, and compelling narratives. Whether you prefer gun-fu mastery, neo-noir thrillers, or something a little different, this list offers a diverse range of cinematic experiences to keep you entertained. Don't wait – dive into these John Wick-esque action movies and experience the thrill for yourself! Which one will you watch first? Let us know in the comments!