If you'd recently heard the echoes of an unexplained shout on the wind, it could have been the result of Lionsgate staff members engaging in a collective cheer spawned by the home release sales for JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM. A recent report from Deadline states that the latest installment of Keanu Reeves' John Wick franchise has sold more than 3 million units in packaged media, electronic sales and VOD since the shoot-em-up sequel complete with dog-fu entered its post-theatrical window in late August. As these numbers continue to climb, it's been said that JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM is Lionsgate’s highest-grossing home entertainment title in five years. In fact, the last Lionsgate release to do nearly as well was the 2014 release of THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1. One might say that Mr. Wick has volunteered as tribute to become the new chosen of Lionsgate home sales.
When the first installment of the John Wick franchise arrived, the over-the-top revenge pic starring Keanu Reeves as the boogieman of the assassin community only managed $89 million in worldwide receipts. Typically, a film with that level of performance would have a tough time getting a sequel, but Lionsgate quickly boarded the John Wick train to Cashville Station when they saw the film's DVD and Blu-ray returns. In time, it became quite clear that John Wick was a property worth exploring, much to the delight of fans across the globe.
Upon the release of JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2, the sequel banked a total of $171.5 million at the worldwide box office, marking a return to form of sorts for its lead actor, Keanu Reeves. While many had returned to the franchise for the martial arts hijinks and headshots, it was the John Wick mythology that truly captured the interest of moviegoers. So transfixed were fans by the elaborate tapestry woven by the franchise's underground network of assassins that the third film in the series earned a worldwide gross of $321 million. That's nearly double the amount of money collected by the previous chapter.
“The popularity of the John Wick franchise continues to surge with strong growth across packaged media, electronic sell-through and video-on-demand platforms,” said Lionsgate President of Worldwide Home Entertainment Ron Schwartz. “The success of John Wick: Chapter 3 is a testament to the film’s incredible cast, led by Keanu Reeves, and amazing creative team, the efforts of our sales and marketing executives, and the vibrancy of the home entertainment business across all of its platforms.”
For those of you looking for more John Wick in your life, have no fear. A fourth chapter of the franchise is already in motion, with plans to release JOHN WICK 4 in theaters on May 21, 2021.