Keanu Reevesis one of the most acclaimed actors working today, thanks in no small part to his incredible work in someall-time great franchises. From gaining his breakout role in the cult comedy seriesBill & Tedto becoming a global superstar followingthe success ofThe Matrix, Reeves’ career has been packed with interesting franchises and movie roles that have changed the landscape of modern Hollywood. Not only this, but Reeves has also lent his recognizable voice to some incredible animated movies.
Many of thebest Keanu Reeves movieswere part of major franchises, and the truth is that there’s something to love about every single one of his roles in an ongoing series. However,some of Reeves’s franchise roles were bigger than others, and it’s important to take their impact on his career into account when ranking them from best to worst. With a body of work as impressive as Reeves’s, it’s not easy to choose favorites, especially when every single one of these franchises boasts such passionate fan bases.
Toy Story
While Keanu Reeves won’t be the first actor most think of when they hearToy Story, he actually joined the voice cast in 2019 to play Duke Caboom inToy Story 4. As a 1970s toy based on Canada’s most popular daredevil and stuntman,Caboom was essentially a toy version of Evel Knievel, although he’s unable to perform the stunts he’s advertised doing in commercials and was forced to continually relive his failures while stuck on an antique store shelf. However, Caboom showcases his merits when he helps Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the gang on their mission to save Forky.
Reeves was an exciting addition to the cast ofToy Story, and he was one of the most memorable standout new toys from the fourth film. As a character who is bursting with potential, the only disappointing thing about Duke Caboom was that he didn’t get nearly enough screen time. Hopefully,Toy Story 5can correct this by expanding Reeves' role and giving him a much bigger part to play should he show up in the upcoming installment.
Bill & Ted
As Keanu Reeves' very first franchise, I’ll always have a special place in my heart for theBill & Tedmovies, but there’s no denying it doesn’t quite live up to the lofty standards set up by other series. As the story of two slacker teenagers who are destined to become the saviors of tomorrow,Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventuresaw the pair travel through time and gather historical figures to help them with their high school presentation. This clever premise was both informative and entertaining, and it’s no surpriseBill & Ted’shilariously quotable catchphrases turned it into a cult classic.
The metalhead duo returned for the sequel,Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey,in 1991, which took things even further as they faced off against the Grim Reaper himself in a story that owed a lot to Ingmar Bergman’sThe Seventh Seal. The popularity of the pair endured through the decades, and Reeves and his co-star Alex Winter reunited in 2020 for the legacy sequelBill & Ted Face the Music,which, although fun, didn’t have quite the same magic. As an enjoyable but never outstanding franchise,Bill & Tedis a quirky series that shows off Keanu’s more lighthearted side.
Sonic the Hedgehog
TheSonic the Hedgehogfilm series has been one of the most enjoyable video game adaptations in recent years. As a franchise that has managed to adapt these Sega characters for the big screen while staying true to the original games, the sheer level of star power involved inSonic the Hedgehoghas been impressive. With Ben Schwartz as the titular hedgehog, he’s been joined by A-listers like Jim Carrey as Dr. Ivo Robotnik, Idris Elba as Knuckles, and, of course,Keanu Reeves joining the cast as Shadow the Hedgehog inSonic the Hedgehog 3.
Reeves clearly did his research when he decided to voice Shadow, as his excellent performance showcased a fan-faithful understanding of what makes the character great. While Shadow was a villainous presence, he was also a victim of a secret government program, and Reeves made him empathetic to the audience. Although vocal performances such as this can often feel over-the-top, Reeves brought a level of gravitas to the role of Shadow that helped the film.
The Matrix
The Matrixwas not only an essential film in turning Keanu Reeves into one of the most sought-after action stars of all time, but it was also one of the most influential movies ever made. As a deeply thought-provoking exploration of the nature of free will, determinism, technology, and selfhood, withThe Matrix, the Wachowskis proved it was possible to weave deeply philosophical themes into mainstream Hollywood blockbusters. The success of the original movie led to several sequels that addressed Neo’s rebellion against the machines that have trapped humanity inside a simulated reality.
The legacy ofThe Matrixwas undeniable, but it must be admitted that the sequels divided audiences and were of diminishing returns. WhileThe Matrix Reloaded,Revolutions, and the legacy sequelResurrectionswere packed with interesting ideas, they failed to achieve the same kind of enduring relevance as the very first movie. With symbols such as the red pill and blue pill even entering the popular lexicon,The Matrixremains a cultural touchstonethat has sparked endless discussion around the nature of reality, technology, and free will.
John Wick
Keanu Reeves’s greatest franchise was the excellentJohn Wickseries, an outstanding success with audiences and critics alike that has collectively grossed over $1 billion at the global box office. With Reeves as the titular hitman,John Wickbegan with a grieving man seeking revenge against the men who killed his dog, which was the parting gift from his late wife. While this was an excellent setup for aTaken-style story of revenge, what madeJohn Wickstand out was the complex and intriguing lore it weaved throughout each installment.
Not only did Reeves excel at portraying a legendary hitman inJohn Wick, but the way the series explored its complex criminal underworld made each entry feel urgent and exciting. TheJohn Wickmovies didn’t simply repeat themselves as we continually learned more about the crime world operating out of the Continental Hotel chain and the strange and unusual characters Wick would encounter. Few series have developed a mythos around them quite likeJohn Wick, and for this reason it stands asKeanu Reeves’sgreatest franchise.
