Exploring HBO Max's Top Action Franchises and Iconic Series
By Published Apr 4, 2026, 12:40 PM EDT Ross is a writer for ScreenRant. He always stays up to date on the latest movies, whether it's blockbusters or independent dramas. When not watching movies, he can be found at the beach or traveling to amusement parks to ride the best rollercoasters. He is a fan of Marvel, DC, Star Wars, John Wick, Game of Thrones, and anything Disney. Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap
Audiences looking for a great action-thriller on can't do much better than its five-part franchise. HBO Max is the home of many franchises, including Dune, The Lord of the Rings, . It's also the home of the DC universe, , Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and many other DC heroes.
Among its action films, the streaming service has some excellent options, and The Terminator. It also recently added Brendan Fraser's The Mummy films, which are worth revisiting ahead of The Mummy 4, set to release in 2028.
HBO Max is also the home of a five-part series starring Keanu Reeves as one of the world's deadliest assassins. The series first started in 2014, and has continued to evolve, with sequels that expand the lore, and spinoffs that introduce new characters. It's one of the best action franchises on any platform, and it has more projects on the way.
The John Wick Films Have Incredible Action Sequences
The first John Wick film featured a traditional story of revenge as John returned to the world of deadly assassins to avenge his dog. However, what made the film stand out is its violent and well-directed action sequences. John is an incredibly precise and lethal assassin who can kill his enemies with almost anything.
The first film features many hardcore shootouts, and the sequels manage to evolve the action and introduce creative and entertaining sequences. For example, the second film includes an awesome shootout in the catacombs, the third film features a lengthy sequence with dogs, and the fourth film includes John dispatching opponents using .
Ballerina also adds fresh action to the franchise. A few of its highlights include a fight in a room filled with explosives and a thrilling flamethrower battle. The John Wick films are always finding ways to up the ante and find unique ways for John and other assassins to take down a horde of enemies.
The World Of John Wick Continues To Expand
The John Wick movies traditionally have simple stories of a hero seeking revenge on those who wronged them. However, the series goes beyond that premise by continuously expanding its lore. The first film introduced The Continental, a hotel that serves as a safe area for members of the assassin world, and was also explored in a 2026 three-part miniseries.
As shown in the sequels, The Continental has spots around the world, and the community of assassins is massive. It's led by a group called The High Table, who run this world strictly, and quickly go after anyone who violates its rules.
There are also smaller groups within this world, such as the Ruska Roma, the crime family that trained John Wick. Ballerina focused more on this group, who were first introduced in John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum, by introducing Ana de Armas' Eve, a ballet dancer who is also a skilled assassin.
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John Wick's lore is another aspect that makes the films worth watching, in addition to their impressive action sequences. The series isn't done as there are plans for John Wick: Chapter 5, and from John Wick: Chapter 4. The first five films are currently on HBO Max, and are a few of the best action films on the platform.
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