Looking for the correct Lethal Weapon movies in order? Good news: this is one of the easier franchises to sort out. Release order and chronological order are the same here — there’s no timeline-jumping or prequel curveball to worry about, so you can just watch them in the order they came out. Created by Shane Black and directed by the late Richard Donner, the franchise redefined the buddy-cop genre, grossed nearly $1 billion worldwide across four films, and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Sound on the very first entry. Before you press play, here’s the quick-answer table to get you oriented.
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Quick Answer: Lethal Weapon Movies in Order
| # | Film | Year | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lethal Weapon | 1987 | Richard Donner |
| 2 | Lethal Weapon 2 | 1989 | Richard Donner |
| 3 | Lethal Weapon 3 | 1992 | Richard Donner |
| 4 | Lethal Weapon 4 | 1998 | Richard Donner |
Since release order and story order match perfectly, you don’t need a separate “watch order” column — just start at the top and work your way down.
Lethal Weapon Movies in Order: The Complete Watch Guide
1. Lethal Weapon (1987)
LAPD detective Roger Murtaugh, just turned 50 and counting down to retirement, gets paired with Martin Riggs, a younger narcotics cop spiraling after the death of his wife. Their mismatched styles collide almost immediately, but a drug-smuggling case forces them to trust each other fast. Behind the scenes, Mel Gibson reportedly drew on real emotional exhaustion to play Riggs’ volatility, giving the character an edge that set the film apart from typical ’80s action fare. The film’s massive success — and that now-iconic partnership — set up an immediate sequel.
2. Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
Riggs and Murtaugh are assigned to protect a witness in a money-laundering case, only to discover the criminals hiding behind diplomatic immunity are far more dangerous than expected. The film leans harder into humor, introducing fan-favorite Leo Getz as comic relief. Joe Pesci reportedly improvised much of Leo’s motor-mouth dialogue, and it worked so well the character became a series regular. It also deepens Riggs’ backstory in a way that reshapes his arc going forward, making this a true continuation rather than a standalone case.
3. Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
Murtaugh is now just days from retirement — a running joke by this point — when he and Riggs stumble onto a former cop turned illegal arms dealer flooding the streets with stolen weapons. This entry introduces Rene Russo as Lorna Cole, an Internal Affairs officer who matches Riggs blow for blow. Russo did her own stunts for several fight sequences, a rarity for female action leads at the time. The chemistry between Riggs and Cole adds new stakes heading into the franchise’s final theatrical chapter.
4. Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
Six years later, Riggs and Murtaugh — now with more personal responsibilities than ever — tangle with a Chinese triad smuggling operation while a new detective, Lee Butters, joins the fold. The production was notoriously expensive, with reshoots and rewrites (including last-minute input from Jet Li, who plays the villain) pushing the budget close to $150 million. Despite the chaos, it grossed nearly $300 million worldwide. It’s the last theatrical entry to date, closing out the core saga while leaving the door open for future installments.
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Do You Need to Watch All 4 Before the TV Series or a Potential Lethal Weapon 5?
No, but it helps. The 2016 TV series is a full reboot with new actors and a different continuity, so you can watch it independently of the films. A future Lethal Weapon 5, however, is intended as a direct continuation of the original film series, so the films are the priority there.
Minimum viable watch order:
- Lethal Weapon (1987) — required, establishes the core relationship
- Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) — optional but recommended for Leo Getz setup
- Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) — optional, introduces Lorna Cole
- Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) — watch if you want full closure on the theatrical arc
- TV series (2016–2019) — separate continuity, watch anytime, skippable if you only want the films
How Many Lethal Weapon Movies Are There?
There are four Lethal Weapon movies in the original theatrical series (1987–1998), plus a separate live-action TV series (2016–2019) that reimagines the story with a new cast.
All Lethal Weapon Movies in Order by Release Date
1. Lethal Weapon — March 6, 1987
2. Lethal Weapon 2 — July 7, 1989
3. Lethal Weapon 3 — May 15, 1992
4. Lethal Weapon 4 — July 10, 1998
What’s Next for the Franchise?
Lethal Weapon 5 has been “in development” for years, and 2025–2026 brought renewed movement, though nothing is locked in yet. Mel Gibson is attached to both star and direct, a plan that took shape after original director Richard Donner passed away in 2021 and reportedly gave Gibson his blessing to finish the story. Danny Glover has publicly reaffirmed he’s on board to reprise Roger Murtaugh, and the two have reunited at fan conventions multiple times to discuss the project.
That said, treat any release date as a rumor until Warner Bros. or New Line make an official announcement — the project has stalled at the studio level before, and as of now there’s still no confirmed production start or theatrical date. If you’re tracking Lethal Weapon movies in order for a future rewatch before a fifth film drops, the four originals above are still your foundation.
FAQ
Is the Lethal Weapon TV series canon to the movies?
No. The 2016 TV series is a standalone reboot with different actors and its own continuity — it doesn’t connect to the film timeline.
What order should I watch the Lethal Weapon movies in?
Release order and chronological order are identical, so simply watch them 1987, 1989, 1992, then 1998.
Is there a Lethal Weapon 5 release date?
Not yet. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are both attached to return, but Warner Bros. hasn’t confirmed a production start or release date.
Do I need to watch Lethal Weapon 3 before Lethal Weapon 4?
Yes, if you want full context — Lethal Weapon 4 builds directly on relationships and stakes introduced in the third film, especially involving Lorna Cole.
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