John Wick is one of the strongest ᴀssᴀssins in movie history, but there are plenty of examples that could definitely hold their own against Keanu Reeves’ iconic action hero. Following the announcement that John Wick 5 is officially happening, we can now say for certain that the fan-favorite character will return. In fact, Keanu Reeves will play John Wick in two upcoming movies in addition to his Ballerina cameo.

There are dozens of excellent fight sequences in the John Wick movies, and Reeves’ protagonist almost always comes out on top. One of the best things about this series is just how creative and innovative the action can be, whether that’s the infamous shootout through a hall of mirrors in John Wick: Chapter 2 or the lengthy scramble through Paris in John Wick: Chapter 4. The series’ protagonist displays plenty of quick thinking and fierce combat skills in these moments, but that doesn’t mean he’s indestructible.

10

Joe – Looper (2012)

Played By Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis has played several action heroes throughout his extensive career, but Looper’s Joe remains one of the most interesting. His character in Rian Johnson’s film is an ᴀssᴀssin who’s hired to murder convicted criminals from the future who have been sent back in time, but things take a dark turn when his next victim ends up being a future version of himself. Much of Looper centers around Joe’s conflicting moral duties for his job and his own self-interests, with the character ultimately choosing himself and doing everything in his power to protect his own safety.

9

Vincent & Jules – Pulp Fiction (1994)

Played By John Travolta & Samuel L. Jackson

While Jules and Vincent may not be the first people that come to mind when discussing skilled ᴀssᴀssins, they certainly fit the bill – and they’ve survived more dangerous encounters than most. Not only is Jules saved by an apparent miracle at the beginning of Pulp Fiction, but he’s also capable of dissolving an extremely volatile situation at the diner towards the end of Quentin Tarantino’s iconic thriller. He may not have the combat skills necessary to take down John Wick in a one-on-one fight, but he could definitely use his words to his advantage.

8

Aguilar – ᴀssᴀssin’s Creed (2016)

Played By Michael Fᴀssbender

While the ᴀssᴀssin’s Creed movie gets a bad reputation for its loose adaptation of the video games’ universe and fairly underwhelming storytelling, one area where it succeeds is through its protagonist. Fᴀssbender’s protagonist Aguilar fits neatly into this sharp, stylish universe with his charismatic personality and fierce combat strength, which rivals even the most talented of opponents in the world of John Wick. Although he lived during the 15th century and didn’t have access to the same technology as Reeves’ protagonist, the powers granted to him by the Animus make him one of the strongest ᴀssᴀssins in cinema.

7

Mike – Road To Perdition (2002)

Played By Tom Hanks

Sam Mendes’ Road to Perdition is one of the filmmaker’s most underrated projects, and it also features one of Tom Hanks’ most underappreciated performances to date. Hanks plays a conflicted hitman who is torn between his loyalty to the crime family that he serves and his love for his young son, who witnessed a terrible crime that places him in grave danger. The film explores very potent ideas of power, responsibility, and the enduring power of love in ways that very few movies about ᴀssᴀssins could manage. It’s one of Hanks’ most underrated characters, but he’s an undeniably powerful one.

6

John & Jane – Mr & Mrs. Smith (2005)

Played By Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie

Mr & Mrs Smith may be a much funnier and more lighthearted movie than most in its genre, but that doesn’t detract from the combat strength of its characters. Both Brad Pitt’s John and Angelina Jolie’s Jane are extremely skilled ᴀssᴀssins, as proven by their difficulty killing each other when the job calls for it.

They employ a wide range of tricks and strategies to gain the upper hand over the other, but their wisdom and keen sense of perception always keep them both on top. These are invaluable skills shared by Reeves’ protagonist in John Wick, as he can always outthink his enemies.

5

Agent 47 – Hitman: Agent 47 (2015)

Played By Rupert Friend

Another fiercely violent movie based on a video game franchise, Hitman: Agent 47 takes everything that’s so compelling about the story of the games and transforms it into a much richer, more character-driven story. While the 2015 film certainly has its weaknesses, Rupert Friend’s portrayal of Agent 47 is one of its biggest strengths; the actor perfectly captures the raw stoicism that makes him such a compelling protagonist. He’s never afraid to get creative with his kills and always thinks quickly on his feet, which are crucial skills that he shares with John Wick.

4

Natasha Romanoff – MCU (2010-2021)

Played By Scarlett Johansson

First introduced in Iron Man 2 before finally appearing in her own standalone movie over a decade later, Natasha Romanoff is one of the strongest human members of the Avengers. She’s an incredibly precise ᴀssᴀssin who spent many years training in the KGB’s Red Room facility, turning her into a fearless killing machine. Of course, this contrasts strongly with her caring personality and unwavering loyalty to her friends, but none of this makes her weaker. She can still tackle any opponent that’s thrown in her direction, and John Wick would be no different.

3

Vincent – Collateral (2004)

Played By Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise’s antagonist from Collateral is certainly one of the most intimidating and domineering ᴀssᴀssins in movie history, even if Cruise isn’t often remembered for his villainous roles. Michael Mann is renowned for his unforgettable villains and complex moral discussions, but Vincent is among his most simplistic figures – a completely detestable man who bears very few redeeming characteristics at all.

The film centers around Vincent’s journey with a cab driver named Max, whom he forces to stay quiet while he undergoes his criminal ᴀssignments.Collateral remains an excellent example of how to make such unlikable antagonists fit so neatly into a story.

2

Léon – Léon: The Professional (1994)

Played By Jean Reno

There have been plenty of great movies about ᴀssᴀssins, but Luc Besson’s gripping crime thriller Leon: The Professional may be the best of the bunch. The French director brings his signature style to this dark, gritty thriller that deals with themes of power, control, and ambition while navigating an action-packed story about the life of a mercenary. The film centers around a young girl who’s taken in by a solitary hitman after a job takes a dangerous turn, leaving the girl secluded from her family and forced to grow up in the company of a seasoned killer.

1

Anton Chigurh – No Country for Old Men (2007)

Played By Javier Bardem

Javier Bardem’s Oscar-winning performance is one of the most noteworthy things about the Coen brothers’ No Country Old Men, a captivating thriller about a lonesome lawman who takes it into his own hands to retrieve a large sum of money following a drug deal gone wrong. What ensues is a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly game of cat-and-mouse as Bardem’s Chigurh hunts down Josh Brolin’s protagonist to retrieve the money, employing a huge array of tricks and tactics to get the upper hand. While he naturally doesn’t have as many fight scenes as John Wick, he displays a sharp mind that makes him a formidable enemy.