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Keanu Reeves became a household name thanks to his part in The Matrix series, but he has many great roles under his belt in different genres too, such as drama and romantic comedy. Yet when Reeves once again returned to the action genre in the form of the lone avenger John Wick, he created an unforgettable hero.
John Wick's journey to justice and revenge captured the audience which led to two sequels. However, those viewers who have already watched all three movies and would like to see other similar action movies, fortunately, have multiple options to choose from.
7 The Hunt (2020)
Some movies manage to combine multiple genres. The Hunt is one of them as it's an action horror. A group of people is being hunted, and it's up to them to fight back...or die. What connects this movie and John Wick is that one individual decides to stand against a larger group of enemies.
A woman named Crystal, played by Betty Gilpin, decides she's not going to give up. Her resilience, as well as intelligence, is something even John Wick would appreciate.
6 Peppermint (2018)
Pierre Morel is known for directing action movies about lone people taking their revenge. John Wick punishes people for killing his dog but the heroine of this movie, Riley North, has an even stronger reason to go after those who hurt her because they killed her husband and daughter.
What's sympathetic about Riley is that she's no superhero, but does her best in the situation she's thrown in. Jennifer Garner played action roles before, but Peppermint is ultimately a much better picture than, for example, her Elektra (2005).
5 Upgrade (2018)
John Wick doesn't have any special powers but he might as well have some considering the things he's able to do, or how many injuries he can survive. The hero of this movie does have special powers caused by the technological enhancement of his body. After his wife is killed and he can no longer walk, he accepts the chance to get his revenge.
Upgrade is a hidden jewel that didn't seem to have cost much money but offers an intense story. Plus, just like John Wick, it shows that sometimes people can't trust even those who originally seem to have good intentions towards them.
4 Hardcore Henry (2015)
If anybody enjoyed the many action scenes in the John Wick series and wants to see even more of them, Hardcore Henry is an excellent choice. It's as close to playing a video game as the audience can get while watching a movie. The reason for this is simple - the movie is shot from the point of view of the main hero, so the viewers see through his eyes.
As Henry discovers the truth about his past, he faces many opponents and doesn't spare any of them, which makes for many creative action moments and fights.
3 Taken (2008)
These days, Liam Neeson is known for playing many action roles, but his journey into this genre truly began with the 2008 movie Taken (once again directed by Pierre Morel). Neeson plays a father who has 96 hours to find his daughter who had been kidnapped or he won't be able to reach her.
Thanks to the deadline the hero is always aware of, the audience is invested and can't stop watching. Just like John Wick, Neeson's Bryan takes on multiple enemies and succeeds even though the odds are clearly against him. The movie spawned multiple sequels, but many fans think that the first part is also the best.
2 The Matrix Series (1999-2021)
Of course, one of the best ways to see Keanu Reeves in another iconic action role is to re/watch the Matrix series. With four movies in total, and with the latest one premiering in 2021, Matrix is a downright classic that changed the world of cinema forever when it premiered in 1999.
It inspired not only the sci-fi genres but action movies as well thanks to its innovative action scenes and the use of bullet time. As such, its newest movie belonged among the most highly anticipated movie releases of 2021.
1 Léon (1994)
One of the greatest revenge movies connects two seemingly very different characters. Natalie Portman stars as Mathilda, a young girl whose family has been killed by a corrupt cop, Stansfield, and his men. Mathilda joins forces with Léon (Jean Reno), a lonely assassin who decides to help her. Léon is one of Luc Besson's best-rated movies, and for a good reason.
The actors are excellent, including Gary Oldman who plays the villainous Stansfield. The movie is full of tension, and even though it's easy to cheer for the heroes, just like in John Wick, the audience has to prepare for the fact that this story might not have a one hundred percent happy ending, which makes it different from a lot of movies of the same genre. The movie also has a director's cut that puts an even bigger emphasis on the developing bond between Léon and Mathilda.