How Many Lethal Weapon Movies Are There?
The Lethal Weapon franchise has been a staple of action-comedy movies for decades, with a total of five films released since the first installment in 1987. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each movie in the franchise, exploring their plots, characters, and significance.
Direct Answer: How Many Lethal Weapon Movies Are There?
There are five Lethal Weapon movies in total:
- Lethal Weapon (1987)
- Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
- Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
- Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
- Lethal Weapon (2016) – a TV series, not a film
The Original Trilogy (1987-1998)
The first three movies in the franchise, directed by Richard Donner, starred Mel Gibson as Martin Riggs, a reckless and impulsive detective, and Danny Glover as Roger Murtaugh, a straight-laced and responsible detective. The trilogy follows the duo as they tackle various cases and fight against crime in Los Angeles.
• Lethal Weapon (1987): The first film introduces us to Riggs, a former CIA agent struggling with the loss of his wife, and Murtaugh, a family man dealing with a heart condition. The two detectives team up to take down a gang of drug dealers.
• Lethal Weapon 2 (1989): In the second installment, Riggs and Murtaugh are tasked with taking down a corrupt diplomat and his cohorts. The movie introduces a new villain, Arjen Rudd (Joss Ackland), who is hell-bent on taking down the detectives.
• Lethal Weapon 3 (1992): The third film sees Riggs and Murtaugh facing off against a new threat: a group of drug dealers and gang members who are terrorizing the city. The movie also introduces a new love interest for Riggs, Dr. Stephanie Woods (Michelle Johnson).
The Prequel and Reboot (1998-2016)
The fourth installment, Lethal Weapon 4 (1998), is often considered a prequel, as it explores the backstory of Riggs and Murtaugh. The movie introduces a new villain, a Chinese gangster named Wah Sing Ku (Chow Yun-fat), who is seeking revenge against Riggs.
The franchise was revived in 2016 with a TV series, Lethal Weapon (2016-2019), which starred Clayne Crawford as Riggs and Damon Wayans as Murtaugh. The show ran for three seasons before being canceled.
Table: Lethal Weapon Movie Overview
| Movie | Release Year | Director | Starring | Plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lethal Weapon | 1987 | Richard Donner | Mel Gibson, Danny Glover | Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh team up to take down a gang of drug dealers. |
| Lethal Weapon 2 | 1989 | Richard Donner | Mel Gibson, Danny Glover | Riggs and Murtaugh take on a corrupt diplomat and his cohorts. |
| Lethal Weapon 3 | 1992 | Richard Donner | Mel Gibson, Danny Glover | Riggs and Murtaugh face off against a group of drug dealers and gang members. |
| Lethal Weapon 4 | 1998 | Richard Donner | Mel Gibson, Danny Glover | A prequel that explores the backstory of Riggs and Murtaugh, with a new villain, Wah Sing Ku. |
| Lethal Weapon (TV series) | 2016 | Brad Tanenbaum | Clayne Crawford, Damon Wayans | A TV series revival of the franchise, with a new take on the characters and plot. |
Conclusion
The Lethal Weapon franchise has been a beloved part of action-comedy cinema for decades, with five movies and a TV series to its name. The original trilogy, directed by Richard Donner, starred Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as the iconic duo of Riggs and Murtaugh. The prequel and reboot, Lethal Weapon 4 and the TV series, introduced new characters and plotlines while maintaining the spirit of the original franchise. Whether you’re a fan of the movies or the TV series, there’s no denying the enduring appeal of Lethal Weapon.
