Ranking Every Final Destination Movie From Worst to Best: From Cult Classic to Prequel Twist

Ranking Every Final Destination Movie From Worst to Best: From Cult Classic to Prequel Twist

Here’s the definitive ranking of the morbid Final Destination saga.

Few things in life are as certain as death, a theme the Final Destination franchise explores with merciless intensity. In this world, cheating death is a grave mistake, as an unseen force—whether it’s fate, karma, or the personification of Death itself—comes back with brutal determination to reclaim its victims. The films are packed with chaotic, freak accidents that trigger chain reactions of elaborately gruesome deaths, all happening under extreme, often bizarre circumstances.

Spanning five films, a comic book (Final Destination: Sacrifice), a series (Final Destination: Spring Break), and nine novels, the franchise has cemented its legacy. Now, with a sixth movie, Final Destination: Bloodlines, set to release in 2025, the series is set to expand even further. The new film introduces a fresh cast, including Brec Bassinger and Richard Harmon, and according to series creator Jeffrey Reddick, promises to take the story in a new direction.

“There’s an expansion of the Final Destination universe that fans are really going to find intriguing,” Reddick teased in an interview with Collider in August 2024. “It unearths a deeper layer to the story that makes it really, really interesting.”

But before Bloodlines hits theaters, let’s revisit and rank the five existing Final Destination films from worst to best.

5. The Final Destination (2009)

Marketed as the last installment of the franchise and released in 3D, The Final Destination failed to live up to expectations. In this film, college students Nick (Bobby Campo), Lori (Shantel VanSanten), and their friends witness a deadly accident at McKinley Speedway, where a premonition saves them from being crushed in the chaos. However, the survivors are soon hunted down by poorly executed, straight-to-video-style deaths.

As the first standalone sequel following the third film, The Final Destination stands out for all the wrong reasons. After the successful second film, this one disappoints with uninspired filmmaking, a confusing screenplay, and lackluster scares.

4. Final Destination 3 (2006)

In Final Destination 3, high schooler Wendy (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) has a premonition while riding the roller coaster Devil’s Flight, which leads to several classmates getting off the ride before it crashes. Those who avoid the disaster soon find themselves facing gruesome fates in hair salons, gyms, fast food drive-thrus, and hardware stores.

Director James Wong explains the enduring appeal of the franchise: “The audience can relate to the everyday scenarios that suddenly become deadly.” Though the film features inventive kills, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of its predecessors.

3. Final Destination 5 (2011)

The fifth film revitalized the franchise after the lackluster fourth entry. In this installment, Sam (Nicholas D’Agosto) has a premonition of a catastrophic bridge collapse and convinces his coworkers to escape. Despite their escape, they eventually meet their end in creative and brutal ways—such as a character being crushed by a Buddha statue during acupuncture.

However, what sets Final Destination 5 apart is its twist ending, revealing that it’s a prequel to the original film. This surprising connection breathes new life into the series and demonstrates the potential for more storytelling.

2. Final Destination 2 (2003)

Perhaps the most iconic scene in the entire franchise occurs in Final Destination 2: the log truck crash. This sequence has haunted viewers since its release, making highway drives a little more nerve-wracking for anyone following a large vehicle. The film sees Clear Rivers (Ali Larter) return to help a new group of survivors navigate Death’s wrath.

The sequel amplifies the tension and creativity of the original, earning its place as a fan favorite. Co-writer J. Mackye Gruber acknowledged the pressure of making the sequel stand out, and it succeeded in both horror and ingenuity.

Ranking Every Final Destination Movie From Worst to Best: From Cult Classic to Prequel Twist

1. Final Destination (2000)

The original Final Destination remains the crown jewel of the franchise. Directed by James Wong, the film introduced audiences to the terrifying concept that Death itself could be the villain. After high schooler Alex (Devon Sawa) has a vision of a plane crash, he and several classmates avoid the disaster, only to be stalked by Death as it tries to set things right.

Wong’s blend of supernatural horror and real-world dangers made the mundane feel perilous, a trademark that would carry through the series. Whether it’s an airplane, a highway, or a logging truck, Final Destination transformed ordinary life into a nightmare, and no one was ever truly safe.

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