Lethal Weapon Movies in Order: One of the most famous film franchises in Hollywood history, “Lethal Weapon,” is getting a fifth installment, and fans who are both excited and relieved for it. It’s been 25 years since “Lethal Weapon” became an action movie phenomenon and inspired a long line of sequels and spinoffs.
One of the most successful film franchises ever, starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as LAPD detectives Riggs and Murtaugh, and directed by Richard Donner (“Superman,” “Goonies”), the film has earned over $1 billion worldwide. It’s a classic in the genre and a major inspiration for subsequent “buddy cop” movies like Hot Fuzz, Tango & Cash, Bad Boys, and the Rush Hour films. If you’re a fan of the franchise, you’ll love how well Mel Gibson and Danny Glover play off each other as the iconic cop duo. Follow this event timeline to watch all of the Lethal Weapon movies in order of events.
How to Watch Lethal Weapon in Order Movies
1. Lethal Weapon
Mel Gibson and Danny Glover star as Los Angeles cops in the top-grossing action film that spawned three sequels. Richard Donner’s film stars Gibson as a volatile, unregistered risk-taker dubbed a “lethal weapon” by his colleagues. Glover is a steady detective with a good reputation.
They are forced to form an uneasy alliance as they try to solve the mystery of an apparent suicide that turns out to be murder – and more. The New York Times refers to this as “”a high-voltage thriller with an undeniable wallop,” says Gene Shalit; “riveting! …a pair of heroes I hope to see again;” According to Joel Siegel, it’s “a detective thriller that just won’t quit…this one is so good it will be the standard for action films all year!”
2. Lethal Weapon 2
Two years after the events of the first film, this high-voltage sequel continues the adventures of Los Angeles detectives Riggs and Murtaugh.
In the film, Riggs and Murtaugh come across a trunk full of smuggled South African Krugerrands during a car chase. This sparks a series of assassination attempts, forcing them to take a less risky case, protecting Leo Getz (Joe Pesci), a loud-mouthed whistleblower with whom they gradually bond and befriend.
However, they discover that Getz was involved in the same illegal activities in South Africa. As a result, the three men become involved in a drug-smuggling operation involving South African diplomats in Los Angeles, using their immunity and biting wit to their advantage. Riggs assassinates his wife’s murderer, who is among the criminals.
At the Movies calls it “pure dynamite!…a summer blockbuster with enough humor, excitement, and action for two films,” while Roger Ebert calls it “terrific… entertaining from beginning to end.” “Even more fun than the original…directed at a mile a minute by Richard Donner…lots of laughs,” says Gene Shalit.
3. Lethal Weapon 3
This box office blockbuster sequel reunites Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, and Joe Pesci, as well as Rene Russo as a tough Internal Affairs cop who gives Gibson a run for his money.
In the film, One week before Murtaugh’s retirement, he and Riggs get caught up in an Internal Affairs investigation headed by Sergeant Lorna Cole as they look into a robbery involving a fake armored car (Rene Russo). With Leo’s help, they discover that the person under scrutiny is a rogue police officer (Stuart Wilson) who is stealing weapons from the police impound and selling them on the black market.
The investigation leads to Murtaugh shooting and killing a teenager who attacked him and Riggs; the victim was later revealed to be a friend of Murtaugh’s son. After this, Murtaugh has second thoughts about retiring and decides to track down the man responsible for the illegal gun distribution.
ABC radio describes Lethal Weapon 3 as “three times the excitement…three times the action…three times the laughs!” it brings all the humor and action of the first two Lethal Weapon hits.
4. Lethal Weapon 4
Once again, Mel Gibson and Danny Glover star as police partners Riggs and Murtaugh, and this time Joe Pesci joins them as the rambling, comical Leo.
Riggs and Murtaugh reunite with Leo and rookie Detective Lee Butters (Chris Rock) to investigate a Chinese immigrant smuggling ring while Lorna and Murtaugh’s daughter Rianne are both expecting. A ruthless enforcer named Wah Sing Ku (Jet Li) tries to burn Murtaugh’s family to death in their own home.
In the course of the plot, Murtaugh learns that Lee is the father of his daughter’s unborn child. After killing dozens of Chinese triad members, the two finally track down the ringleader. At the end of the movie, Riggs and Lorna get married and have a baby.
How many Lethal Weapon Movies are there?
The Lethal Weapon franchise originally consisted of a series of FOUR (4) films released between 1987 and 1998, and later a television series which aired from 2016 to 2019.
All Lethal Weapon Movies in Order of Release Date
Here is the list of Lethal Weapon films in order, they were released.
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
5. Lethal Finale — TBA
Is there a Lethal Weapon 5 coming out?
Despite Mel Gibson and Danny Glover’s initial disinterest in a fifth Lethal Weapon film, the idea had been floating around for quite some time. Gibson was “confident” back in September of 2022 that production on the film would kick off in the first few months of 2023, with a possible release date in 2024.
Do You Need to Watch Lethal Weapon Movies in Order?
All of the Lethal Weapon films are interconnected, so it’s best to watch them in chronological order. Despite the fact that each film focuses on a different case, the characters and their connections to one another develop over time.
Where to Watch Lethal Weapon Movies?
Do you want to watch a classic cop films? If so, I recommend “Lethal Weapon,” which has served as an inspiration for a wide variety of “buddy cop” films. Where, though, can I find all the Lethal Weapon films together? Amazon Prime is the only place to watch the Lethal Weapon series, so you can watch it in order by renting or buying it there.
Box Office Performance of Lethal Weapon Film Series Movies
The “Lethal Weapon” film series is a popular action-comedy franchise that consists of four main movies released between 1987 and 1998. Here is a list of the films in the series along with their approximate worldwide box office performances:
|
Film
|
Release date
|
Box office revenue |
Budget
|
||
| North America | Other territories | Worldwide | |||
| Lethal Weapon | March 6, 1987 | $65,207,127 | $55,000,000 | $120,207,127 | $15 million |
| Lethal Weapon 2 | July 7, 1989 | $147,253,986 | $80,600,000 | $227,853,986 | $25 million |
| Lethal Weapon 3 | May 15, 1992 | $144,731,527 | $177,000,000 | $321,731,527 | $35 million |
| Lethal Weapon 4 | July 10, 1998 | $130,444,603 | $155,000,000 | $285,444,603 | $140 million |
| Total | $487,637,243 | $467,600,000 | $955,237,243 | $215 million | |
The “Lethal Weapon” series was a successful and lucrative franchise, known for its blend of action and humor, as well as the dynamic partnership between its lead characters, played by Mel Gibson and Danny Glover.
Conclusion:
The “Lethal Weapon” film series, consisting of four thrilling installments, is a testament to the enduring appeal of action-comedy in cinema. With the charismatic pairing of Mel Gibson as the volatile Martin Riggs and Danny Glover as the stable Roger Murtaugh, these films struck a perfect balance between adrenaline-pumping action sequences and heartwarming moments. Each entry built upon the camaraderie of its lead characters while tackling different criminal threats. Across the decades, this franchise captivated audiences with its memorable characters, sharp wit, and explosive action, leaving an indelible mark on the action genre. “Lethal Weapon” remains a beloved series cherished for its enduring entertainment.
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