Ranking The 10 Closest John Wick Copycats

Chloe Fitzgerald

4 min read

Post on May 12, 2025

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Action and Gun-Fu Prowess: Matching Wick's Signature Style

John Wick's success hinges on its innovative blend of gun-fu, precise choreography, and visceral action. Many films try to emulate this style, but few succeed in capturing its unique essence.

The Choreography and its Influence:

John Wick's fight choreography is meticulously crafted, emphasizing practical effects and realistic movement. Copycats often attempt to mirror this, but the results vary wildly.

• Nobody: This film expertly captures the brutal efficiency of John Wick's action, showcasing impressive hand-to-hand combat sequences and creative weapon use. While it lacks the sheer volume of gunplay, its choreography is a close second.
• Atomic Blonde: This stylish spy thriller features extended, dynamic fight sequences, often employing a visceral, almost balletic approach that echoes John Wick's aesthetic.
• The Night Comes for Us: While significantly more violent and less stylized than John Wick, this Indonesian action film boasts breathtaking fight choreography that rivals the intensity and creativity of the original.

Weaponry and Arsenal: Comparing the Arsenal of Killers:

The weaponry in John Wick isn't just functional; it's a character in itself. From the iconic pencil to the array of firearms, each weapon choice contributes to the film's distinct style. Copycats often focus on replicating this aspect, with varying degrees of success.

• Gunpowder Milkshake: This female-led action film features creative weapon choices, ranging from classic firearms to more unconventional tools, mirroring John Wick's eclectic arsenal.
• Kate: While focusing more on close-quarters combat, Kate utilizes a variety of weapons, showcasing a similar attention to detail in its depiction of weaponry, even if the overall style differs from John Wick.
• Bullet Train: This action-comedy features a unique selection of weaponry integrated into the narrative, though less focused on the gun-fu style.

World-Building and Atmosphere: Creating a Believable Underworld

John Wick's success extends beyond its action; its meticulously crafted world is equally important. The film establishes a believable, detailed underworld with its own rules and hierarchy, a crucial element often imitated but rarely duplicated.

The Underbelly of the Criminal World:

The criminal underworld in John Wick is richly detailed, with established rules, a complex hierarchy, and a distinct visual aesthetic. Copycats strive to create a similar sense of immersion, but achieving the same level of depth and consistency is challenging.

• The Accountant: This film depicts a different kind of underworld, focusing on the financial side of criminal activity. While distinct, it offers a similar sense of clandestine operations and hidden rules.
• Haywire: This espionage thriller showcases a world of double-crosses and hidden agendas, creating a similarly tense and unpredictable atmosphere.

Character Depth and Motivation: Exploring the complexities of the assassins:

The characters in John Wick are not simply assassins; they are complex individuals with motivations and backstories. This adds depth and emotional resonance to the action, a crucial element often missing in copycats.

• Nobody: The protagonist's character arc adds depth to the action, revealing a hidden past and motivations that resonate with audiences.
• The Equalizer: This action thriller features a protagonist with a moral code, adding a layer of complexity that elevates the action sequences beyond simple violence.

The Top 10 John Wick Copycats – Our Definitive Ranking

Our ranking considers several factors: the quality of the action sequences, the depth of world-building, the development of assassin characters, and the overall impact and originality of the film.

Criteria for Ranking:

The ranking prioritizes films that successfully capture the essence of John Wick's stylish action, intricate world-building, and compelling characters. Originality and impact were also key considerations.

• 1. Nobody
• 2. Atomic Blonde
• 3. Gunpowder Milkshake
• 4. The Night Comes for Us
• 5. Kate
• 6. Bullet Train
• 7. The Accountant
• 8. Haywire
• 9. The Equalizer
• 10. John Wick: Chapter 2 (While technically not a copycat, it's included as a benchmark for excellence).

Conclusion: Finding Your Next John Wick Fix

This ranking highlights the diverse approaches filmmakers have taken in attempting to capture the magic of John Wick. While none perfectly replicate the original, these films offer a range of stylish action, intricate world-building, and compelling characters. Each film showcases a unique take on the assassin genre, offering fans of John Wick plenty of options for their next fix. Which John Wick copycat is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments! Let's discuss the best John Wick-inspired films and alternatives to John Wick! What similar movies to John Wick would you add to this list?