If there’s one thing the Final Destination franchise taught us, it’s that death doesn’t give a damn about your plans. Over six films, the series has given us some of horror’s most memorable, over-the-top kills, making us afraid of everything from tanning beds and log trucks to airplanes and rollercoasters.
But let’s be for real—not every entry in the franchise hits the same. Some are pure entertaining chaos, while others feel like you’d rather meet Death himself than rewatch the film. So, let’s break them down. Here’s the Final Destination series ranked from absolute trash to terrifying treasure!
6. The Final Destination (2009)
Aka: The One We Don’t Talk About
Rating: 1/5
Let’s call it what it is: The Final Destination is hot garbage. The acting is embarrassing, the plot is nonsensical, and the kills are laughable in a way that makes you question if this was secretly a parody. Watching it feels like an assault on anyone who loved the first few films. I’m not even being dramatic. I am legitimately mad this movie exists. Thank God, I didn’t see it in theaters, because I would’ve needed financial and emotional compensation for the damage this film did to me.
5. Final Destination 5 (2011)
The Lesser Evil
Rating: 2/5
After the mess that was part 4, Final Destination 5 feels like a minor redemption. The acting improves, the story has some polish, and the final twist tying it back to the original is a clever touch. Aside from that, it’s mostly forgettable. The kills are weak, which is a major sin for this franchise. It’s not the worst, but it’s not particularly memorable either.
4. Final Destination 3 (2006)
Rollercoaster of Potential
Rating: 2.5/5
Rollercoasters are terrifying on their own, so the idea of a malfunctioning one? Gold! And the opening premonition delivers. Unfortunately, the rest of Final Destination 3 doesn’t quite ride as high. The performances are mid, the story is meh, and the kills lack that extra punch we expect from the franchise. Great first act, mediocre second and third.
3. Final Destination 2 (2003)
Log Trucks and Legacy
Rating: 3.5/5
This movie permanently altered the American highway experience. That log truck scene? Iconic! A thing of legends. A forever generational trauma. While the acting isn’t quite as strong as the original, the film still brings the chaotic energy we want from this franchise. Creative kills, decent pacing, and a solid follow-up to the first film’s concept. Final Destination 2 also brings something new to the table, which is a way to defeat Death’s design. Not flawless, but absolutely unforgettable.
2. Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025)
Death’s Comeback Tour
Rating: 4/5
Bloodlines is a surprise worth waiting 14 years for. It brings back the magic of the original films with an intense opening premonition, followed by a relentless string of fun, shocking, and creative deaths. Kaitlyn Santa Juana nails it as the lead, and the supporting cast actually holds up. But the real gut punch? Tony Todd’s emotional final monologue. Rest in peace to a horror legend. I never thought I’d cry during a Final Destination film, but here we are.
What Bloodlines does right is expand the mythology, tracking death’s design over decades, without losing the franchise’s chaotic heart. It’s smart, suspenseful, and a hell of a good time!
1. Final Destination (2000)
The OG Blueprint
Rating: 4/5
The one that started it all. Final Destination was fresh, eerie, and memorable. While it may not hit as hard on rewatch, there’s no denying how groundbreaking it felt at the time. It took a new approach to horror, with Death as the unseen villain one can’t avoid. It paved the way for a different type of horror.
The performances in Final Destination hold up surprisingly well, thanks in large part to early 2000s heartthrob Devon Sawa and Ali Larter. Both were teen magazine staples at the time, crush-worthy for sure, but also genuinely solid performers who brought their acting chops and charm to a high-concept horror film. The kills are memorable, the atmosphere is drenched in dread, and the film’s core premise—Death as the ultimate stalker—still feels so fresh. A true classic that earns its top ranking through legacy, originality, and a generation-defining impact on the horror genre.
Final Thoughts on the Final Destination Franchise
The Final Destination franchise has had its high highs and very painful lows. But one thing’s for sure, it’s one of horror’s most entertaining and creatively unhinged franchises. Whether you’re revisiting the original or getting blindsided by how good Bloodlines turned out, there’s something special about watching people try (and fail) to cheat Death.
