The ‘Final Destination’ Films, Ranked from Worst to Best

5. “The Final Destination” (dir. David R. Ellis, 2009)

It will rankle more than a few fans to learn that — thanks in part to bumped up 3D ticket prices — “The Final Destination” (aka “Final Destination 4”) is actually the highest-grossing movie in the entire franchise, earning $187 million worldwide. (The next most successful, “Final Destination 5,” came short of that total by about $30 million.) Why is that a bad thing? Because everyone can agree that this flat, boring, ridiculous entry is the nadir point of the franchise, frequently tipping over into self-parody. At a way too short 82 minutes, there’s no time to latch on to this latest group of survivors, who escape a race track disaster only to get haunted by an especially cruel version of Death. In this movie, Death has evidently been replaced by the ghost of Chuck Jones, considering the supernatural murders seen here are so convoluted and physics-defying that they’re more dumb than fun.

The atrocious 3D money shots and awful CGI don’t help. Add in some terrible acting and a thin cast of characters (the worst being the racist Carter — a total stereotype that the film expects us to see as comedic relief but mostly just sucks), and you get a dull and lifeless sketch of a horror film. The greatest sin? They didn’t even bring Tony Todd back for this one. Maybe that’s for the best though, because he’s a legend that deserves better than this. 

Best kill: There isn’t one, so let’s shout out the most infamous: When Andy (Andrew Fiscella) gets launched by a carbon monoxide tank into a chain link fence that slices him up like a tomato. Where were his bones? How was the fence that sharp? Your guess is as good as ours. —WC

4. “Final Destination 5” (dir. Steven Quale, 2011)

After the 3D monstrosity that was 2009’s “The Final Destination,” the “Final Destination” series rebounded with a surprisingly solid fifth installment. Handled by director Steven Quale, a newbie to the franchise, “5” starts slow — with a solid but not particularly memorable opening mass casualty in the form of a bridge collapse. An irritating subplot about FBI agents tailing Nicholas D’Agosto’s Sam bogs the pacing down, but refreshingly, the cast of survivors are mostly likable  — played by strong actors who generate compelling drama as the looming threat of Death causes a few to go off the deep end. Shot in 3D (sigh, again), the film nonetheless dials back on the gimmicks and constructs some great kills. The “Final Destination” universe takes on some capitvating mythology too — also returning Tony Todd to his rightful place on the big screen after missing out on both “4” and “3.” Of course, “Final Destination 5” is best remembered for its iconic twist ending — which succeeds at being so hilariously nonsensical that it loops around to pure genius. 

Best kill: After the opening mass casualty, “5” peaks with an unnerving, tense, and well-constructed gymnastics sequence that results in the demise of a nasty office intern named Candice (Ellen Wroe). There are so many teases for all the things that could cause her to slip — a used electric cable, a stray screw, squeaky bars — before a bowl of chalk dust causes her to fall off the bars straight on to her neck. After the ludicrous mayhem of “The Final Destination,” there’s something refreshing and almost nostalgic… if hilariously brutal… about an almost mundane accident that could absolutely happen to someone in real life. —WC

3. “Final Destination” (dir. James Wong, 2000)

The one that started it all, “Final Destination” is among the best examples of horror films released at the exact right time. Not a minute too soon. Imagine how audiences would have reacted to this story — about the survivors of a horrible plane disaster being graphically haunted by Death — had it premiered the following year. Without the 9/11 baggage that affected so many other movies in the early aughts (“Lilo & Stitch,” “Spider-Man,” and “Donnie Darko” are just a few that were impacted by the tragedy), series creator Jeffrey Reddick saw his genius idea enjoyed it was intended. A pioneer of representation, one of the first if not the first Black gay man to work in horror, Reddick story proved a delightfully bloodthirsty vehicle for crowd-pleasing thrills with a sick sense of humor. 

As the OG, the first “Final Destination” is about 10 percent more grounded than its sequels and the deaths are slightly more realistic. (Editor’s note: That bizarre moment where Death inexplicably mops up after himself in the shower notwisthanding.) Although its immediate sequels’ are more memorable, “Final Destination” is arguably more frightening than any film that would follow. It benefits from killer casting (Kerr Smith from “Dawson’s Creek!” Seann William Scott from “American Pie!”) including some veritable scream kings — and a scream queen! — with Ali Larter, Devon Sawa post-“Casper,” and again Todd, aka the “Candyman” himself. 

Best kill: One of the simplest deaths but also in the running for the most iconic in franchise history: When kindhearted Terry (Amanda Detmer) finally gets sick of her smug boyfriend’s stupidity, she storms out of the café the survivors gathered at, turns back on the street, and screams at him to “Drop fucking dead!” Not even three seconds later… Splat! A bus comes out of nowhere to turn poor Terry into roadkill. —WC

2. “Final Destination 2” (dir. David R. Ellis, 2003)

The first “Final Destination” sequel is among the franchise’s overall best movies, even if it does set up a storytelling universe ripe for repeat characters that fans didn’t actually get. Ali Larter reprises her role as Clear Rivers: the only final girl to face off with Death’s Design twice for a performance that now warmly reminds of Jamie Lee Curtis’ triumphant return in “Halloween” (2018).

Following a gnarly pileup on the freeway, Clear gets resurrected from her “Final Destination” slumber (read: self-imposed padded prison) to help a group of college kids who should’ve died in a massive car crash. A.J. Cook stars as Kimberly, a formidable final girl in her own right, who works with Clear and a hunky cop (Michael Landes) to try and.cheat fate. The trio’s chemistry helps sell some truly abysmal plot device logic (don’t get me started on “Final Destination 2” skidding into a pregnancy technicality and ending up… weirdly pro-life?) and some particularly sharp kills make it a great anytime watch.

Best kill: You could give it to that douchebag Evan’s fire escape impaling… or shout out sweet Nora’s harrowing elevator decapitation. But no, credit where credit is due: The logging truck is the best this franchise ever got. —AF

1. “Final Destination 3” (dir. James Wong, 2006)

With Mary Elizabeth Winstead as its anxiety-ridden final girl and James Wong back in the director’s chair, “Final Destination 3” is inarguable proof that, yes, the third time is the charm — even in Death. The best cast and acting this franchise has ever known sees Ryan Merriman opposite our “10 Cloverfield Lane” scream queen in the wake of a devastating roller coaster accident. Sadly, Tony Todd isn’t back for this one, although you will hear his voice on the ride’s intercom. And if you decide to marathon these movies, keep your eyes peeled for a souvenir photo from Devil’s Flight hidden on a desk in “Final Destination 5.” 

Set against the backdrop of a star-spangled local holiday, “Final Destinatinon 3” routinely appears on lists of the Best Fourth of July Horror Movies. The climactic carnival scene — featuring fireworks and a runaway horse — makes it perfect for summer viewing, but this zippy second sequel has plenty else to recommend it. Ratcheting up the violence and humor simultaneously, the horrifying deathblows that await McKinley High’s unlucky surviving seniors give the film a “Heathers”-esque quality that works better than other vibe from the original or sequels. Sure, you’ve got to withstand the truly deplorable antics of so-called “lady’s man” Frankie Cheeks (Sam Easton), but a smart script that lets you root for the heroine (even if Winstead’s whole “control” bit in this is hugely exhausting…) while settling into a nasty groove that still works as a complete feature film to this day. 

Best kill: The casket jumpcut is a tried-and-true treasure of genre filmmaking and “Final Destination 3” truly does the artform proud with the brutal tanning bed kills that take out mean girls Ashley (Chelan Simmons) and Ashlyn (Crystal Lowe). This scene is controversial for its obviously sexist undertones, but remains iconic all the same. It’s a wonderfully crafted double deep-frying that isn’t exactly feminist but narrowly gets away with roasting a couple of naked girls by keeping the rest of the film smart. Yes, it’s a particularly unpleasant way to die… but with “Love Rollercoaster” playing on that boombox, at least they could remember the other torutre they escaped… I guess? —AF