While both the John Wick series and The Matrix franchise could stake a claim as Keanu Reeves’ top movie series, only one can take the crown.

John Wick: A departure from the philosophical pondering of The Matrix, 2014’s John Wick introduced a relentlessly brutal action thriller centered around a retired ɑssɑssin seeking rеvеnge for his dog’s murdеr. The subsequent sequels elevated the series with elaborate world-building, immersive storytelling, and consistent quality, making it a fan-favorite action franchise.

John Wick’s World-Building: The series progressively enriched its universe, introducing a myriad of colorful characters and expanding its scope with each installment, enhancing the immersive experience for viewers.

John Wick’s Re-Watchability: The franchise’s meticulously choreographed action sequences and relentless pacing make for highly re-watchable movies, unlike The Matrix’s lengthy exposition in its sequels.

John Wick’s Consistency: Unlike The Matrix, which saw a decline in quality with its sequels, the John Wick series maintained its level of excellence since its inception in 2014.

John Wick’s Impactful Action: The grounded nature of John Wick’s action scenes, devoid of CGI assistance, delivers a raw and intense experience compared to The Matrix’s CGI-heavy sequences, providing a more visceral impact.

John Wick’s Varied Villains: While The Matrix largely focused on two major villains throughout its series, John Wick’s villains evolved in complexity and eccentricity, contributing to the series’ dynamic narrative.

The Matrix: Despite its flaws, The Matrix stands out for its groundbreaking visual effects, profound themes, and lasting influence on pop culture, solidifying its place as one of Keanu Reeves’ most iconic franchises.

The Matrix’s Story Depth: The franchise delves into profound themes such as reality, identity, and social constructs, offering a thought-provoking narrative that transcends typical blockbuster fare.

The Matrix’s Impact: The Matrix’s influence on the sci-fi action genre and pop culture as a whole surpasses that of John Wick, shaping the aesthetic and storytelling conventions of subsequent films for decades.

The Matrix’s Impressive Action: The Matrix’s groundbreaking action sequences, characterized by CGI wire-fu and innovative visual effects, set a new standard for action filmmaking, showcasing a level of technical achievement unmatched by John Wick.

The Matrix’s Memorable Heroes: While John Wick prioritizes its titular hero, The Matrix features a compelling ensemble cast with memorable characters like Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus, adding depth and dimension to the series.

The Matrix’s Deeper Meaning: The franchise tackles complex themes such as identity, reality, and existentialism, offering audiences a deeper philosophical exploration that sets it apart from the more straightforward narrative of John Wick.

Ultimately, while both series have their strengths, The Matrix’s profound impact on cinema and culture solidifies its position as Keanu Reeves’ best movie franchise, despite the success of the John Wick movies.