John Wick: Chapter 5 Release Date – When Will the Baba Yaga Return?
John Wick’s been shot, stabbed, and buried, yet the world’s deadliest hitman keeps coming back—and fans couldn’t be happier. After John Wick: Chapter 4 blew us away in 2023 with its $440 million haul and a gut-punching finale, Lionsgate confirmed Chapter 5 is on the way. Announced at CinemaCon on April 1, 2025, with Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski attached, the next chapter’s got everyone buzzing. But the big question remains: when will John Wick: Chapter 5 hit theaters? Let’s dig into the latest clues and pin down a release date as best we can.
The Road to Confirmation
Chapter 4 left us reeling. John took down the Marquis (Bill Skarsgård), won his freedom from the High Table, and then—bam—collapsed on those Paris steps, seemingly dead. Winston (Ian McShane) and the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) mourned at his grave, but the lack of a body kept hope alive. Just months later, in May 2023, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president Joe Drake teased a fifth film, banking on Chapter 4’s massive success. By April 2025, Lionsgate chair Adam Fogelson made it official at CinemaCon: Chapter 5 is in development, with Reeves and Stahelski on board.
Reeves has been coy, telling Entertainment Weekly in 2024, “I’d love to, but my knees might not.” Stahelski’s echoed that caution, insisting on a story worth telling—not just a cash grab. Their commitment’s clear, but the timeline? That’s murkier.
Current Development Status
As of April 2, 2025, Chapter 5 is in active development. Scriptwriting resumed post-SAG-AFTRA strike in November 2023, and Stahelski’s confirmed multiple drafts by October 2024. He’s adamant it won’t just pick up where Chapter 4 left off—it’ll be a fresh tale, not a cheap resurrection. Production’s the next hurdle, and here’s where things stall. Stahelski’s tied up directing Highlander with Henry Cavill, set to film in Scotland starting early 2025. Insiders told Collider in August 2024 that John Wick 5 won’t shoot next year—Stahelski’s all-in on Highlander first.
Meanwhile, the Wick-verse is buzzing. Ballerina drops June 6, 2025, and Donnie Yen’s Caine spinoff starts shooting in Hong Kong later this year. These projects are keeping Lionsgate busy, potentially pushing Chapter 5 further down the road.
Speculated Release Window
Let’s crunch the numbers. Chapter 4 took four years from Chapter 3 (2019-2023), partly due to COVID delays. If Highlander wraps filming by mid-2025 and hits theaters in 2026, Stahelski could pivot to John Wick 5 prep late that year. Best case? Filming starts in 2026, with a late 2026 release—think November or December, aligning with the franchise’s typical spring-to-fall window (Chapter 4 was March 24, 2023).
More realistically, Stahelski’s packed slate—plus Reeves’ other gigs like Good Fortune—points to 2027. Pre-production, filming (say, six months), and post-production (another six) for a film this stunt-heavy could easily stretch the timeline. A 2027 debut would mark a five-year gap since Chapter 4, the longest yet, but not unreasonable for a franchise aiming to top itself.
Factors Influencing the Date
Several wild cards are at play:
- Reeves’ Stamina: At 60, Keanu’s candid about the toll of Wick’s action scenes. A cracked kneecap from Good Fortune in 2024 didn’t help. He’s game if Stahelski directs, but his body’s the limit.
- Stahelski’s Vision: Chad’s juggling Highlander, a bank heist flick, and Wick spinoffs. He won’t rush Chapter 5—he’s got “notebooks of ideas” but needs the right one to click.
- Lionsgate’s Strategy: With Ballerina, Caine, and an animated prequel in the pipeline, the studio’s stretching the Wick-verse. They might space out Chapter 5 to keep the hype alive without oversaturation.
What’s Next While We Wait
No Chapter 5 in 2025 doesn’t mean a dry spell. Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas, lands June 6, 2025, set between Chapters 3 and 4, with Reeves cameoing alongside McShane and the late Lance Reddick. Then there’s Caine, with Yen reprising his blind assassin role, filming in 2025 for a likely 2026 release. An animated prequel about John’s “impossible task” is also brewing, voiced by Reeves. These should tide us over while Chapter 5 simmers.
Conclusion
John Wick: Chapter 5 is coming, but don’t hold your breath for a quick drop. With development chugging along as of April 2025, a late 2026 release is the optimistic bet—more likely, we’re looking at 2027. Reeves and Stahelski’s dedication to quality over speed means it’ll be worth the wait, delivering another round of gun-fu brilliance. Until then, Ballerina and Caine will keep the Wick flame burning. When do you think John’s stepping back into the fray? Drop your predictions below.
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