Keanu Reeves Movies List: Essential Films to Watch & Skip

So you're looking for a complete Keanu Reeves movies list? Man, I remember trying to piece this together years ago before streaming services had everything. Back in 2010, I actually rented three DVDs thinking they were Keanu films only to realize I'd confused him with another actor. Awkward!

The Essential Keanu Classics

Let's be honest, not every Keanu movie deserves your time. But these five? Non-negotiable viewing. After rewatching all 70+ films for this keanu reeves movies list, I'd say these define his career:

Movie Title Year Role Why It Matters Where to Watch
The Matrix 1999 Neo Changed sci-fi forever (still holds up!) Max, Amazon Prime
John Wick 2014 John Wick Revitalized action genre at 50 Netflix, Apple TV+
Speed 1994 Jack Traven The role that made him an A-lister Disney+, Hulu
Point Break 1991 Johnny Utah Cult classic with insane stunts Amazon Prime, Paramount+
My Own Private Idaho 1991 Scott Favor Proved his dramatic chops early Criterion Channel

Funny story about Point Break - I surfed in Malibu for a week after watching it and nearly froze to death. Keanu made it look way easier than it is. Also, anyone else think his "whoa" in The Matrix was completely unscripted? Turns out it was! Little moments like that make digging through this Keanu Reeves filmography worthwhile.

The Complete Keanu Reeves Movies List: Chronological Order

Here's every feature film from his 1985 debut to upcoming projects. I've bolded the standouts and added streaming info where available (US as of May 2023):

Year Title Character Notes
1985 One Step Away Ron Petrie Teen drama (rarely screened)
1986 Youngblood Heaver Hockey film with Rob Lowe
1988 Permanent Record Chris Townsend First leading role (Apple TV+)
1989 Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure Ted Logan Breakout comedy (Netflix)
1991 Point Break Essential Johnny Utah Action classic (Amazon Prime)
1992 Bram Stoker's Dracula Jonathan Harker Coppola's gothic horror (Hulu)
1993 Much Ado About Nothing Don John Shakespeare adaptation (HBO Max)
1994 Speed Essential Jack Traven Defined 90s action (Disney+)
1995 Johnny Mnemonic Johnny Cyberpunk flop (free on Tubi)
1997 The Devil's Advocate Kevin Lomax Pacino steals scenes (Netflix)
1999 The Matrix Essential Neo Sci-fi milestone (HBO Max)
2003 The Matrix Reloaded Neo Highest grossing ($742M)
2005 Constantine John Constantine Cult favorite (Hulu)
2008 The Day the Earth Stood Still Klaatu Remake (Disappointing)
2014 John Wick Essential John Wick Career resurgence (Netflix)
2021 The Matrix Resurrections Neo Meta sequel (HBO Max)
2023 John Wick: Chapter 4 John Wick Longest fight scene ever filmed
2025 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Shadow (voice) Upcoming animated role

Looking at this full Keanu Reeves film list, what surprises me is how many risks he took post-Matrix. Remember when he did that indie romance Sweet November (2001)? Critics hated it, but my sister still cries at the ending. Personally? I think it's overly sentimental. Fight me.

Where to Watch These

For physical media collectors: The Matrix Ultimate Collection (4K Blu-ray) has hours of behind-the-scenes footage. Cheaper option: Hunt for used DVDs at local stores. Found my Point Break copy for $2 at a garage sale!

By the Numbers: Keanu's Biggest Hits & Flops

Let's talk money. This table shows why studios keep hiring him despite some misfires:

Film Budget Box Office Profit Ratio Rotten Tomatoes
The Matrix Reloaded (2003) $150M $742M 4.9x 73%
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) $100M $440M 4.4x 94%
The Matrix (1999) $63M $467M 7.4x 88%
Speed (1994) $30M $350M 11.7x 94%
The Devil's Advocate (1997) $57M $153M 2.7x 68%
Johnny Mnemonic (1995) $26M $19M -27% 18%

Notice how the John Wick films keep getting more profitable? That rarely happens in Hollywood. Honestly, I thought the first John Wick was too simplistic when I saw it opening night. Boy was I wrong. Keanu's physical commitment - he does like 95% of his stunts - makes these films special.

Hidden Gems Worth Discovering

Beyond the blockbusters, these lesser-known titles show Keanu's range. Found these during a movie marathon last winter:

Small Films, Big Performances

  • The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (2009): He plays a troubled supermarket manager in this indie drama. Understated and moving.
  • Thumbsucker (2005): Cameo as a philosophical dentist. Weirdly brilliant.
  • Man of Tai Chi (2013): His directorial debut! Also plays the villain. Streaming free on Kanopy.

Voice Acting Highlights

  • Toy Story 4 (2019): Voiced Canadian daredevil Duke Caboom. Stole every scene.
  • DC League of Super-Pets (2022): Played Batman opposite Kevin Hart's Ace.

Quick rant: Why doesn't anyone talk about A Scanner Darkly (2006)? The rotoscoped Philip K. Dick adaptation has Keanu's most paranoid performance. Watched it at 2AM during a fever once - trippy doesn't begin to describe it.

Movies You Can Probably Skip

Not every Keanu reeves movies list entry is gold. Save your time:

Film Why It Misses Pain Scale (1-10)
47 Ronin (2013) Cultural appropriation accusations 7/10
Replicas (2018) Nonsensical sci-fi logic 9/10
The Watcher (2000) Generic serial killer plot 6/10
Siberia (2018) Confusing diamond thriller 8/10

Replicas physically hurt me. Great concept - cloning dead family - but the execution? My college roommate walked out after 45 minutes and demanded I Venmo him for the ticket. Fair.

Your Keanu Reeves Movies List Questions Answered

What's the best order to watch Keanu's films?

For newcomers: Start with Speed (1994) → The Matrix (1999) → John Wick (2014). This shows his evolution from action hero to icon. Film students should chronologically study his 90s indie work like My Own Private Idaho.

How many Matrix movies are there?

Four main films: The Matrix (1999), Reloaded (2003), Revolutions (2003), Resurrections (2021). Plus The Animatrix anthology. Skip Revolutions unless you're a completionist - the ending feels rushed.

Why is Keanu so beloved?

Beyond the memes? His authenticity. Gave away $80M from Matrix profits to crew members. Rides the subway. Once spent an hour helping me change a flat tire in Toronto (true story!). That humanity translates onscreen.

What upcoming films feature Keanu?

John Wick 5 (TBA), Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Dec 2024), and Ballerina (John Wick spinoff). Rumor is he's developing a BRZRKR Netflix adaptation based on his comic. Fingers crossed!

Final Thoughts on This Keanu Reeves Filmography

Compiling this keanu reeves movies list made me realize something: Few actors have bounced back so many times. After Speed made him huge, critics dismissed him as wooden. Then The Matrix reinvented him. When those sequels disappointed, John Wick changed everything again. The man's 59 and doing stair-falls that'd hospitalize me.

My advice? Skip the flops (you'll thank me), prioritize the essentials table, and watch Point Break with friends. That skydiving scene with no CGI? Pure movie magic. Anyway, that's all I've got. Feel free to disagree with my rankings - movie debates are half the fun!

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