So, you’re looking for a hard date. You want to know exactly when Keanu Reeves is going to suit up, look into a camera with those tired eyes, and whisper that he’s back. Again. Honestly, the situation with the John Wick release date is a bit of a mess right now, but not for the reasons you might think.
If you go looking for a calendar invite for John Wick: Chapter 5, you won't find one. Not yet. As of January 2026, Lionsgate is playing a very high-stakes game of keep-away. We know the movie is happening—that was essentially the "big bang" moment of CinemaCon 2025—but the actual day you can buy popcorn and sit in a dark room is still shifting behind the scenes.
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The Reality of the John Wick Release Date
Let’s be real: John Wick "died" at the end of Chapter 4. We saw the headstone. We saw Winston and the Bowery King looking somber. But in Hollywood, a grave is basically just a place to keep your gear until the sequel gets greenlit.
Lionsgate chair Adam Fogelson confirmed that Keanu is officially signed on for a fifth mainline movie. That’s the good news. The "wait, what?" news is that they haven't started rolling cameras yet. Most industry insiders and production trackers, including those at Screen Rant and IGN, are pointing toward a 2027 or 2028 release window for the fifth chapter.
Why the long wait?
- Script Development: Director Chad Stahelski has been vocal about not wanting to just "do another one." They are reportedly looking for a "reinvention."
- Keanu’s Schedule: Between voicing Shadow in Sonic 3 and his other commitments, Reeves isn't a 24/7 hitman.
- Expansion Burnout: After Ballerina (starring Ana de Armas) saw its own set of delays and mixed buzz, the studio is being surgical about when they drop the next big one.
The 2026 Gap and the Caine Spinoff
Interestingly, while Chapter 5 is a way off, 2026 isn't a total wash for the Wick-verse. There is a very strong chance we get the Donnie Yen Caine spinoff before we see the main man himself.
Lionsgate tipped their hand last year, suggesting that production on the Caine movie—which follows the blind assassin after the events of Chapter 4—was aiming for a late 2025 or early 2026 start. If that stays on track, we could be looking at a late 2026 release date for that specific film. It’s being described as an "ode to kung fu cinema," and honestly, Donnie Yen directing and starring in his own Wick-style flick is probably the only thing that can tide fans over.
What About the Anime?
Then there's the wildcard. The John Wick animated prequel.
Stahelski confirmed this is a feature film, not a series. It covers the "Impossible Task"—the legendary night John earned his retirement by wiping out everyone the Russian mob asked him to. Because animation doesn't require Keanu to do 18-hour days of stunt work, it’s a lot easier to produce in tandem with other projects. We are hearing whispers of a 2026 reveal, though a 2027 release seems more grounded in reality given the complexity of the "anime-style" visuals they are chasing.
Is John Actually Dead?
This is the question that defines the John Wick release date hype. If he’s dead, the fifth movie is a prequel. If he’s alive, it’s a sequel.
At the John Wick Experience in Vegas, studio reps were coy. They basically said, "He may be dead... we’re waiting to find out." It’s a classic marketing dodge. But here is the thing: the fans who saw Chapter 4 know we never actually saw a body in a casket. We saw a collapse. We saw a funeral. In this universe, that’s basically a vacation.
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Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're tired of refreshing your feed for news, here is what you should actually do to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch for the Caine Production Start: Once Donnie Yen starts filming (likely in Hong Kong), that is your signal that the "road to Wick 5" has officially begun.
- Keep an eye on CinemaCon 2026: Lionsgate usually saves their biggest "first look" footage for April. That is the most likely time we will get a concrete year, or even a month, for the next project.
- Track the TV Side: John Wick: Under the High Table is the new series being developed. If that hits streaming in late 2026, it will almost certainly contain the narrative bridge that explains how John returns for Chapter 5.
The Baba Yaga isn't gone; he's just stuck in development hell for a little while longer. But given the track record of this franchise, the wait usually ends with a lot of broken glass and a very satisfied audience. Keep your 2027 calendar open, just in case.