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NEW YORK — “John Wick: Chapter 4,” the fourth installment in the Keanu Reeves assassin series, debuted with a franchise-best $73.5 million at the box office, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Keanu Reeves as John Wick in a scene from “John Wick 4.”
The Lionsgate film, starring Reeves as the reluctant-but-not-that-reluctant killer John Wick, exceeded both expectations and previous opening weekends in the R-rated franchise. Since first launching in 2014 with “John Wick” ($14 million on its opening weekend), the Chad Stahelski-directed series has steadily grown as a ticket-seller with each sequel. The 2017 follow-up opened with $30.4 million, and the 2019 third chapter, “Parabellum,” debuted with $56.8 million.
But “Chapter 4,” running two hours and 49 minutes and costing at least $100 million to produce, is the biggest film yet in the once-lean action series. Critics also said it was a franchise high point, scoring 95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. The film, which drew a 69% male audience, added $64 million overseas. It’s Lionsgate’s biggest success of the pandemic era.
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“When you make a fourth in an action franchise, you have to expect it to go down. That is the nature of these franchises,” said Joe Drake, chairman of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “But we kept seeing signals and it was wonderful to see the movie they delivered. We saw the audience wanting more.”
Though “John Wick” has been bigger at the box office with each new release — an enviable and rare trajectory among Hollywood franchises — “Chapter 4” brings some finality to Reeves’ character. The actor hasn’t entirely dismissed continuing the series, telling interviewers “never say never.”
Regardless, the franchise is set to keep humming. A spin-off titled “Ballerina” starring Ana de Armas and co-starring Reeves has already been shot. The miniseries “The Continental,” with Mel Gibson, is upcoming on Peacock.
“Chad and Keanu have created this world and that world continues to expand. I don’t know what all the edges of that world are, still,” said Drake. “As best they can, they’ll continue to try to seduce Keanu to come back and do things. He gets beat up in these shows. He really does. And at the end he’s like, ‘I’m not doing it anymore.’ Then you watch him sit in the theater and feel that audience.”
“So we’re going to continue to look for ways to meet that demand.”
The release of “John Wick: Chapter 4,” which included a surprise premiere at SXSW, was also bittersweet. Lance Reddick, who plays the Continental Hotel concierge, Charon, in the films, unexpectedly died at the age of 60 a week before the film’s release.
But the success of “John Wick: Chapter 4” adds to a strong start in 2023 for Hollywood. After ticket sales rebounded to about 67% of pre-pandemic levels last year, the release lineup is steadier and more packed this year. Sequels have led the way, including “Creed III” and “Scream VI.” Ticket sales are up 28% from last year, according to data firm Comscore.
But there have been some exceptions. After its disappointing $30.5 million debut last weekend, the superhero sequel “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” slumped to second place with $9.7 million in its second weekend. The Warner Bros. release dropped steeply, tumbling 68% from its launch.
“Scream VI” took third place with $8.4 million in its third weekend, bringing its total thus far to $90.4 million domestic and $139.3 million worldwide. “Creed III” followed in fourth with $8.4 million. Michael B. Jordan’s sequel is up to $140.9 million domestic.
The weekend’s other new releases were more modest.
Zach Braff’s “A Good Person,” starring Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman, opened on 530 theaters. The MGM release grossed $834,000. IFC Films’ “The Lost King,” with Sally Hawkins and Steve Coogan, debuted with $575,000 in 753 locations.
10 fantastic movies directed by women on Netflix in 2023
‘The Lost Daughter’

This 2021 psychological drama was adapted from the Elena Ferrante novel of the same name and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal. The story follows Leda (Olivia Coleman), a middle-aged woman who becomes obsessed with a young mother and her daughter while on vacation in Greece.
‘The 40-Year-Old Version’

This comedy-drama written and directed by Radha Blank stars the filmmaker as a struggling New York playwright who reinvents herself as a rapper at age 40. The movie boasts a whopping 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
‘Mudbound’

Writer and director Dee Rees became the first black woman nominated for an Oscar in the Best Adapted Screenplay category for “Mudbound.” This critically acclaimed historical drama tells the story of two families — one black and one white — living on a rural Mississippi farm during the Jim Crow era.
‘Unrest’

Jennifer Brea’s 2017 documentary follows her personal journey with chronic fatigue syndrome and explores the lives of others affected by the often-misunderstood condition.
‘The Land of Steady Habits’

Nicole Holofcener’s 2018 drama follows a recently retired man who leaves his comfortable life and wife to pursue a new beginning. Instead, he finds himself struggling with addiction and the challenges of personal growth.
‘Bird Box’

This post-apocalyptic thriller directed by Susanne Bier will have you on the edge of your seat. The film — starring Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes and John Malkovich — follows a mother and her two children on a dangerous journey, where staying blindfolded is the only way to avoid deadly supernatural creatures.
‘The Elephant Whisperers’

This 2022 documentary directed by filmmaker and passionate conservationist Kartiki Gonsalves follows the bond between a couple and an orphaned baby elephant who is entrusted to their care.
‘The Tinder Swindler’

Felicity Morris made major waves with this viral 2022 documentary. The film tells the story of conman Simon Leviev, who used the dating app Tinder to connect with women and emotionally manipulate them into funding his lavish lifestyle.
‘The Invitation’

This 2022 vampire-horror film directed by Jessica Thompson follows a young woman who meets distant family members after her mother’s death only to discover they carry dark secrets.
‘Julie and Julia’

This 2009 comedy-drama was written and directed by Nora Ephron and stars Meryl Streep as chef Julia Child. The film contrasts the life of Child’s early culinary career with that of present-day New Yorker Julie Powell (Amy Adams).
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