All 6 Final Destination Movies, Ranked

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According to different opinions, it’s either an excellent or terrible moment for another ‘Final Destination.’ The sixth film in the series, ‘Bloodlines,’ is being released this weekend, following alarming news about relaxed safety standards and aviation issues. Additionally, it’s opening during a time when COVID-19 has made even breathing in public and going to the movies risky endeavors. It seems odd to seek a thriller about how everything can and will kill you when such events reflect our current reality.

Essentially, “Final Destination” series explores the idea that life, in its essence, is unpredictably perilous, and we can’t fully protect ourselves from misfortune. The original movie, penned by Jeffrey Reddick as a spec script for X-Files, capitalizes on this fear by depicting a vengeful reaper who targets those who cheated death, leading to their untimely deaths in bizarre and unforeseen ways. In essence, it’s like a movie about how even the most mundane activities could potentially end in tragedy. The sequels further elaborate on the intricate and gruesome death scenes, escalating the stakes with increasingly complex (and gory) scenarios. They also develop a dark sense of humor, suggesting that these movies might be more black comedy than thriller, poking fun at our fear of mortality – a fear shared by all.

Currently, the Bloodlines series is currently enjoying an impressive 94% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which marks a significant change from its previous critical reception that was often negative. Could it be that standards have lowered or have critics finally appreciated the dark enjoyment this ruthless franchise offers? After all, it’s common for this series to eliminate its entire cast of characters (occasionally multiple times), setting the story in motion with the ominous premonition of impending doom. It’s refreshing to see the Final Destination series receiving long-overdue praise. As the ranking suggests, many of these films are highly entertaining, providing a continuous stream of laughter and scares, much like a chaotic game of Jenga. And a few of them are truly unforgettable.

6.
The Final Destination (2009)

Even the most dedicated fan might acknowledge that the fourth installment of “Final Destination” fell short of captivating audiences. Intended to be the final chapter, the film surprisingly earned more than any other in the series, leading to another round of tragic events. However, this 3D sequel appears to lack the director’s usual creativity, focusing on dispatching the survivors of a questionable racetrack accident with less creative and terrifying death scenes compared to earlier films. It’s puzzling how the person responsible for the multi-car pileup in “Final Destination 2” could not extract thrills from a faulty escalator or a malfunctioning swimming pool pump, given that these could have been more grotesque, as hinted by Chuck Palahniuk’s “Guts”. The kills, unfortunately, are forgettable, with the characters being the least memorable meat puppets “Destination” has ever presented. Only the exaggerated 3D effects of gory imagery leaping towards the viewer distinguish this (thankfully brief) installment from the stylishly recapped superior movies in the opening credits. This particular “Final Destination” film seems to have drained the fun from the concept.

5.
Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025)

In the latest installment of “Final Destination,” there’s an unexpectedly poignant scene that stands out among the usual gruesome deaths. This moment is a heartfelt appearance by the late Tony Todd, who has played a significant role in the series as the mortician. As he faced his own demise during filming, he delivered a touching goodbye to the fans, making it a rare instance of death being depicted with a hint of tenderness rather than dark humor. The rest of the movie, a belated sixth installment, maintains the sardonic, karmic tone that fans have come to expect from the series, which had been on hiatus since 2011. Co-written by Guy Busick, who also played a role in reviving “Scream,” “Bloodlines” follows the pattern of its predecessors while introducing some fresh twists. For instance, it offers an origin story set high above and far back in time, and a creative plot device that makes the curse hereditary. While there are no iconic kill scenes (with the exception of one involving a feisty grandmother), consider that Death might need some practice after a 14-year break from the “Final Destination” universe.

4.
Final Destination (2000)

Similar to Freddy Krueger or Michael Myers, the antagonist in the “Final Destination” series started with small, subtle terror. In contrast to the gruesome spectacle of later films, Glen Morgan and James Wong’s original film cleverly subverted the slasher-movie formula by replacing a masked killer with bizarre, seemingly accidental but actually predestined mishaps. The first “Destination” movie, featuring a cast of young stars like Devon Sawa, Ali Larter, and Stiffler, was more focused on dramatic storytelling than the action-packed sequels. While not necessarily superior to the subsequent films, it still offers memorable scenes, such as the climax where Sawa’s character is chased by sparks of lightning – a moment that comes closest to embodying the inherent danger in these movies. Furthermore, later “Destination” films perfected the concept of a chain reaction of deaths, but none delivered a more iconic, ironic shock than Terry’s fatal failure to look both ways before crossing the road. If this scene doesn’t startle you, it’s likely you’ve already met an untimely end.

3.
Final Destination 5 (2011)

In simpler terms, the film “Final Destination 5” stands out among its predecessors due to two intense sequences that build suspense using creative editing and either surprising or frightening elements. One sequence is a tense, intricate game of deception and escalating peril on a high wire, while another sets up a worst-case scenario for those with sensitive eyes. These scenes highlight the series’ knack for generating tension through editing techniques. However, the film’s cast leaves much to be desired, with some characters, like David Koechner and the character from “The Wolf of Wall Street,” being rather uninteresting. Yet, the film excels in its gruesome death scenes, culminating in a clever twist ending that ties the series together and offers an explanation for why certain aspects of the movie appear somewhat outdated.

2.
Final Destination 3 (2006)

Instead of focusing solely on the climactic scene in the last movie on the list, let’s take a moment to appreciate the chaotic carnival chaos that initiates the third film. This madness vividly portrays every fear a rollercoaster rider might have before the first big drop. Wong and Morgan skillfully continue the theme of harsh, dark humor from the second part and come very close to surpassing it.

The third Destination stands out with one of the most cruel deaths (the tanning beds), the funniest (the weight machine), and a brilliant scene at a fast-food drive-through that cleverly plays with distance and tension. Additionally, it introduces Mary Elizabeth Winstead as a protagonist who is likable, which is rare in this franchise where actors often have little more to do than frown and scream when their character meets their end.

Many critics have been too harsh on the Final Destination series. However, the third movie might be the one that fans underestimate the most.

1.
Final Destination 2 (2003)

Similar to how ‘Psycho’ made showers ominous and ‘Jaws’ made beaches terrifying, ‘Final Destination 2’ turned logging trucks into sources of unease. Witnessing its opening scene of vehicular devastation left many with a shiver when stuck in traffic behind such vehicles. However, the fear-inducing power of this movie’s second installment goes beyond its chaotic highway sequences. By the gruesome conclusion, your fears now encompass fire escapes, elevators, airbags, construction sites, even backyard barbecues. Directed by David R. Ellis, a former stuntman and blockbuster second-unit veteran, ‘Final Destination 2’ perfected the original’s concept of impending doom into a darkly humorous execution. Each subsequent ‘Destination’ movie followed its cruel lead, but none have quite captured the twisted enjoyment this movie shows in taking lives. More than the others, this disaster film finds the perfect balance between humor and horror: You’ll laugh, you’ll retch, you’ll tighten your seatbelt.

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2025-05-19 21:54