Summit EntertainmentAs predicted, John Wick: Chapter 3 has officially taken out Avengers: Endgame with a staggering $56 million opening.
This is the highest opening for Lionsgate since The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 in November 2015, which pulled in $102.6 million.
However, despite this plucky new box office contender, Avengers: Endgame is still kicking butt at cinemas worldwide.
As reported by Deadline, Avengers: Endgame, will zoom past Avatar’s lifetime domestic of $760.5 million this weekend, becoming the second highest grossing film of all time at the domestic box office with $769 million.
I realize there are only 55 reviews for Chapter 3 at this time, but it's pretty wild to see a franchise with a higher RT score for each new installment. #JohnWick pic.twitter.com/SvowqrGkvB
— John Squires (@FreddyInSpace) May 14, 2019
With its focus on over the top violence, a central boogeyman character who cannot be killed and a deep, rich mythology, the #JohnWick franchise in many ways feels like the modern, action-oriented equivalent of '80s horror franchises. I think that's probably why I love it so much.
— John Squires (@FreddyInSpace) May 15, 2019
Some fans are already describing it as being their favourite in the franchise, just showing how a third installment can effectively expand upon a universe in new and exciting ways.
One fan tweeted:
There are stretches of such absolute silken delirium in PARABELLUM, sequences where the action hits a pitch of sustained “DID YOU JUST FUCKING SEE THAT” finesse and mayhem, that you start to feel spoiled. And then annoyed that other action movies don’t think you deserve it.
Another said:
#JohnWick Chapter 3 – Parabellum was insane! Watching this movie was stressful, it made me sweat, it made me gasp… it was insanely fun.
Unreal that stunts are not a part of the Academy Awards because they’re so insanely good here.
John Wick 3 completely delivers and has the three best action set-pieces of the series so far. Give me 800 more films of brilliant fight sequences interspersed with scenes of people in classy attire slowly saying things like, “Even the lone wolf follows a code, Mr. Wick.”
— Simon Barrett (@Simon_Barrett) May 18, 2019
John Wick Chapter 3 is pure cinematic mayhem. I loved it from the first kick to the last punch.
Keanu Reeves just gets better & bloodier.— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) May 17, 2019
Saw John Wick 3 today. And it is everything
— Dad (@fivefifths) May 18, 2019
Far more than a mere commercial success, it looks like the third installment will certainly be deserving of a second watch long after the initial hype has passed.
At the time of writing, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum has an impressive 89 per cent critics’s score on Rotten Tomatoes, from 157 reviews. The audience score is 95 per cent based on 315 user ratings.
Bucking the trend for sequels, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum has actually been better received with each new sequel, suggesting there is plenty of fire in this series yet.
The critics consensus on Rotten Tomatoes is as follows:
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum reloads for another hard-hitting round of the brilliantly choreographed, over-the-top action that fans of the franchise demand.
John Wick 3 : Parabellum
Satisfying kills, brilliant deaths and wonderfully choreographed fight scenes.
Simple plotline but the direction was so good that you’ll be on your seats all the way, like a bullet straight through the head.
A bit over the top but it’s alright.
9/10🔫☔️ pic.twitter.com/3RKlMVBnBh— Megat ‘Adli (@TheFunSizeGuy) May 17, 2019
It’s certainly a good time for quality threequels which get us talking, and other action franchises should take note.
You can catch John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum in cinemas from May 17.
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Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.