How Many Lethal Weapon Films Are There?
The Lethal Weapon franchise is a series of action-comedy films that have captivated audiences for decades. From its humble beginnings as a successful movie in 1987 to its recent sequels and spin-offs, the franchise has become a beloved institution in the world of cinema. But with so many films to keep track of, it can be overwhelming to know just how many Lethal Weapon movies there are.
The Original Trilogy (1987-1998)
The first Lethal Weapon film was released in 1987 and starred Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as two detectives from different backgrounds who are paired together to take down a drug cartel. The movie was a massive hit, grossing over $200 million worldwide and earning a 7.7/10 rating on IMDB.
The success of the first film led to the creation of two sequels: Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) and Lethal Weapon 3 (1992). Both movies followed the same formula as the first, with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover reprising their roles as detectives Roger Murtaugh and Martin Riggs.
| Movie | Release Year | Box Office | IMDB Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lethal Weapon | 1987 | $237.9 million | 7.7/10 |
| Lethal Weapon 2 | 1989 | $270.4 million | 7.1/10 |
| Lethal Weapon 3 | 1992 | $201.6 million | 6.9/10 |
The Fourth Film and Beyond (2005-2019)
After a 13-year hiatus, the Lethal Weapon franchise returned in 2005 with a fourth installment, starring Seann William Scott as the new partner of Chris Tucker, who took over the role of Detective Riley Purcell. The film was met with mixed reviews and did not perform as well as its predecessors.
In 2016, Fox announced plans to revive the franchise with a TV series, titled Lethal Weapon. The show starred Damon Wayans as Roger Murtaugh and Clayne Crawford as Martin Riggs (Crawford left the show after the second season, and Seann William Scott joined the cast for the third season). The TV series ran for three seasons until its cancellation in 2019.
In addition to the TV series, there have been various reports and rumors of potential sequels and spin-offs over the years. One project, titled Lethal Weapon 5, has been in development hell for over a decade, with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover both expressing interest in returning to their iconic roles.
Conclusion
There are a total of five Lethal Weapon films: the original trilogy (Lethal Weapon 1-3), Lethal Weapon 4 (2005), and Lethal Weapon 5 (in development hell). The franchise has had its ups and downs, with some films receiving positive reviews and others receiving negative reviews. Despite this, the Lethal Weapon franchise remains a beloved and iconic part of action-comedy cinema.
In Review
- Best Reviews: Lethal Weapon (1987), Lethal Weapon 2 (1989), Lethal Weapon (2016-2019)
- Worst Reviews: Lethal Weapon 4 (2005)
- Cancellations: Lethal Weapon TV series (2016-2019)
What’s Next for the Franchise?
With the Lethal Weapon TV series officially cancelled, the future of the franchise is uncertain. Will we see a revival with a new TV series or a new film? Only time will tell. For now, fans can relive the classics or wait patiently for any developments.
The Bottom Line
The Lethal Weapon franchise has a long history of action-packed adventure, humor, and buddy-cop camaraderie. With five films to date, the franchise is far from over. Fans will continue to eagerly anticipate new developments and hope for the best.
