Keanu Reeves basically redefined what an action movie looks like with a puppy and a vintage Mustang. It’s been over a decade since the first film dropped, and yet, trying to figure out how to stream John Wick is still a total headache. You’d think a massive franchise like this would just sit comfortably on Netflix forever, but licensing is a mess. Platforms play hot potato with the rights every few months. One day Baba Yaga is on Peacock, the next he’s vanished into the digital void, leaving you staring at a "rent for $3.99" button.
Streaming rights are a battlefield.
If you’re sitting on your couch right now trying to find the most efficient way to binge all four chapters, you have to know where to look. It isn't just about clicking a search bar; it's about knowing which corporate giant currently holds the contract. As of early 2026, the landscape has shifted again, largely because Lionsgate—the studio behind the films—likes to spread the wealth to the highest bidder.
The current streaming home for the John Wick franchise
Right now, the most consistent place to find the majority of the films is Peacock. NBCUniversal’s streaming service has a long-standing relationship with Lionsgate, and they frequently host the original trilogy. However, there is a catch. You usually need a "Premium" subscription to access them. If you’re trying to use the free tier, you’re basically out of luck.
Things get weird when we talk about John Wick: Chapter 4. Because it’s the newest and most successful of the bunch, it often lives on Hulu or Disney+ (depending on your regional bundle) or sometimes pivots over to Starz. Starz is actually the "official" home for many Lionsgate properties, so if you have that add-on through Amazon Prime Video, you’re usually golden.
But honestly? The "streaming shuffle" is real. Movies leave services on the first of the month more often than people realize. If you’re mid-marathon and it’s 11:59 PM on the 31st, don't be shocked if the next movie suddenly costs five bucks.
Why isn't John Wick on Netflix or Max?
People always ask this. It seems logical. Netflix has everything, right? Wrong.
Netflix occasionally snags the rights to the first film to boost their "Action" category, but they rarely hold the whole set. It’s too expensive. Max (formerly HBO Max) focuses heavily on Warner Bros. discovery content, and since John Wick is a Lionsgate baby, there’s no sibling loyalty there. You are much more likely to find the Continental’s finest on a service trying to grow its subscriber base, like FuboTV or AMC+.
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Wait, I should mention the spin-offs too. If you’re looking for The Continental: From the World of John Wick, that’s a Peacock Exclusive. You won't find that three-part event anywhere else without paying per episode on VOD platforms. It’s a different beast entirely, focusing on a young Winston in the 70s, but if you want the full lore, Peacock is your mandatory destination.
Watching the High Table from outside the US
If you’re reading this from the UK, Canada, or Australia, the rules change completely. In the UK, Prime Video often carries the torch for the first three films. In Canada, Crave is usually the king of Lionsgate content.
A lot of people use VPNs to hop around. It’s a common tactic. By spoofing your location to a country where a different service has the rights, you can technically access the films. For example, some European versions of Netflix still carry the original movie while the US version doesn't. Just keep in mind that most streaming services are getting better at blocking these "backdoor" entries, so it’s a bit of a cat-and-mouse game.
The "Hidden" cost of streaming vs. buying
Let’s be real for a second. If you love these movies, streaming them is the most expensive way to do it in the long run.
Think about it. You pay $10–$15 a month for a service just to watch one series. Then they remove it. Then you subscribe to another one. If you wait for a sale on Apple TV or Vudu (Fandango at Home), you can often snag the entire 4-film collection for about $20 to $25. Once you own them digitally, the streaming wars don’t matter. You own the license. You don't have to check a "What's leaving Netflix this month" list ever again.
Plus, the bit-rate on a purchased 4K title is usually higher than the compressed stream you get on a standard Peacock plan. If you have a nice OLED TV, you’ll actually see the difference in those neon-soaked fight scenes in Osaka.
A quick breakdown of where to check first:
- Peacock: Your best bet for the original trilogy and The Continental.
- Starz: The most likely spot for Chapter 4.
- Hulu: Often has "Live TV" rights which occasionally includes the films.
- YouTube/Google TV: Almost strictly "Rent or Buy" territory.
What about the upcoming Ballerina movie?
We have to talk about the future because it affects the streaming cycles. John Wick Presents: Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas, is slated to hit theaters soon. Whenever a new theatrical release happens, the older movies suddenly pop up everywhere.
Studios use the old films as "marketing" for the new ones. Expect the original John Wick to show up on free, ad-supported services like Tubi or Pluto TV right around the time Ballerina hits cinemas. It’s a classic move. They give you the first one for free (with ads) to get you hyped enough to go to the theater or buy the sequels.
Common misconceptions about streaming quality
Not all streams are equal. Seriously.
If you're watching on a free-with-ads platform, you aren't getting 4K. You aren't getting Dolby Atmos. You're probably getting 1080p with stereo sound. For a movie where the sound design of a suppressed Glock is half the experience, that’s a tragedy. If you want the "expert" experience, you need to check the "Info" tab on your streaming app. If it doesn't say "4K Ultra HD" or "Vision," you’re seeing a degraded version of Chad Stahelski’s vision.
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Actionable steps to get your John Wick fix:
- Check JustWatch or Reelgood first. Don't just guess. These sites track daily changes in streaming libraries. Enter "John Wick" and it will tell you exactly which service has it in your specific zip code today.
- Look for the "Lionsgate Plus" channel. On Amazon Prime, you can often sign up for a 7-day free trial of the Starz/Lionsgate extension. You can binge all four movies in a week and cancel before you get charged.
- Verify your "Digital Extras." If you already own the movies on Blu-ray, check the box. Many people forget they have a digital code inside the plastic case that never expires. You might already own the stream without knowing it.
- Monitor the "Deals" section on CheapCharts. This site tracks price drops on iTunes. The John Wick collection frequently drops to its lowest price right before a holiday or a new franchise announcement.
Don't settle for a low-quality rip or a service that’s going to charge you for "no ads" halfway through the movie. The franchise is built on precision; your viewing setup should be too. Grab the right app, verify the resolution, and enjoy the best action choreography of the 21st century.