Final Destination is among the most iconic American horror franchises out there, one that not only comprises movies but also novels and comics. In fact, one of the factors that makes the movie series so popular is its departure from the quintessential horror tropes and its more paranoid, yet totally possible, outlook.
In fact, all the Final Destination movies subvert the conventions of the horror genre like jump scares and hauntings in order to establish the looming presence of a much bigger and scarier antagonist – death (and the inevitability of it).
When the first Final Destination movie came out in 2000, it moved away from the typical slasher/horror movies that required a monster to be scary. Final Destination was cynical, to say the least. And despite receiving negative reviews from critics upon its release, the movie went on to attain cult status in pop culture.
Furthermore, as the sequels rolled out, they were studied for not just their visual effects, given that this was the early 2000s, but also for their narrative structure, characterisation and how they tested the audience’s suspension of disbelief. The movies leaned in a much more philosophical direction, highlighting the paranoia and acceptance that accompany death, thereby personifying the entity, implying that it has a plan for everyone.
The last Final Destination instalment came out in 2011 and concluded the five-movie series in a time loop, which was in line with the supernatural themes of destiny and fate scattered throughout the series. But now, after more than 14 years, the movie series has been revived with Final Destination: Bloodlines, which hit theatres on 16 May 2025.
Now that there is another new title in the franchise, find out where it fits into the timeline and what is the best way to watch all the Final Destination movies in order.
Also read: 10 most brutal Final Destination deaths, ranked
How many Final Destination movies are there?
There are six Final Destination movies in total. The first five movies are confirmed to be part of one universe, as the last title, Final Destination 5 (2011), includes a time twist that makes it seem like the story ended right where the first movie, Final Destination (2000), began.
The latest instalment, Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025), is a fresh, new addition to the franchise. Viewers can watch the entire series, according to their release years. But some might want to follow the storyline chronologically. Here, we have both for you.
Final Destination movies in order of release
- Final Destination (2000)
- Final Destination 2 (2003)
- Final Destination 3 (2006)
- The Final Destination (2009)
- Final Destination 5 (2011)
- Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025)
How to watch all Final Destination movies in chronological order
1. Final Destination 5 (2011)
Directed by: Steven Quale
Cast: Nicholas D’Agosto, Courtney B. Vance, Emma Bell, Tony Todd
Runtime: 1 hour 31 minutes
IMDb rating: 5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%
Synopsis: Sam (D’Agosto) has a vision of a bridge collapsing. When he saves a bunch of people who weren’t meant to live, they start dying in the same order as Sam’s premonition. Now, he must work with his ex-girlfriend Molly (Bell) and try to save as many people as possible while death tries to “balance the books”.
About the movie: Watch this movie first, as the ending scene is connected to the opening aeroplane scene of Final Destination (2000). This plot twist creates a time loop that makes the fifth instalment the first title in the list of Final Destination movies in chronological order.
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2. Final Destination (2000)
Directed by: James Wong
Cast: Devon Sawa, Ali Larter, Kerr Smith, Tony Todd
Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes
IMDb rating: 6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 40%
Synopsis: Just as their plane is about to take off for a senior year trip, high schooler Alex (Sawa) has a premonition about it crashing. When everything around him starts mimicking his vision, Alex begins freaking out, which causes the classmates to be deboarded. But as soon as they get off, his vision comes true and the plane crashes. What happens when, one by one, the people from the group start to die in order of their seating arrangement?
About the movie: This film is considered the building block of the Final Destination series, with a huge impact on pop culture. It inspired the franchise’s novel series and comic books. Upon its release, Final Destination was also awarded Best Horror Film at the Saturn Awards, along with Sawa winning Best Performance by a Young Actor.
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3. Final Destination 2 (2003)
Directed by: David R. Ellis
Cast: Ali Larter, A.J. Cook, Michael Landes
Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes
IMDb rating: 6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 52%
Synopsis: Kimberly Corman (Cook) has a vision of a pile-up caused by a logging truck. As she saves everyone with the premonition, people who escaped the accident start to die. To prevent any more deaths, Kimberly must adhere to the rule mortician William Bludworth (Tony Todd) tells her – only new life can defeat death.
About the movie: This next instalment in the Final Destination movies in order was a better-received than its prequel. Even though Final Destination 2 (2003) can be watched as a standalone movie, the character, Clear, appears in some scenes, establishing a connection to the prequel while also expanding the overarching theme of the franchise – one cannot escape death, only delay it. The movie was also nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Horror Film in 2004.
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4. Final Destination 3 (2006)
Directed by: James Wong
Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Amanda Crew, Ryan Merriman
Runtime: 1 hour 33 minutes
IMDb rating: 5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 44%
Synopsis: High school student Wendy (Winstead) has a premonition at an amusement park about a roller coaster crash. She manages to convince some people to get off the ride, including her best friend’s boyfriend, Kevin (Merriman). But what will Wendy do when the people she saved start dying?
About the movie: A special feature of the movie called “Choose Their Fate” was released on DVD. It was an interactive film in which the audience could make decisions at various points in the story and alter how the movie turned out.
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5. The Final Destination (2009)
Directed by: David R. Ellis
Cast: Bobby Campo, Shantel VanSanten, Nick Zano, Haley Webb
Runtime: 1 hour 22 minutes
IMDb rating: 5.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 28%
Synopsis: Nick (Campo), a college student, has a premonition while attending a race. Even though he manages to prevent the accident by warning people, days later, one by one, they all start dying. Will Nick be able to escape death’s scythe?
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6. Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025)
Directed by: Zach Lipovsky, Adam Stein
Cast: Gabrielle Rose, Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Richard Harmon, Teo Briones, Owen Patrick Joyner
Runtime: 1 hour 49 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%
Synopsis: In 1986, Iris (Rose) had a premonition that led her to prevent the deaths of many guests at a party. In the present, her granddaughter Stefani (Juana) has a nightmare about Iris’ vision. As she speaks to her grandmother, Stefani finds out that because Iris overcame death that day, all those years ago, the bloodlines of all the survivors are in danger since they were never meant to be born.
Stefani must find a way to save herself and many others as she runs out of time.
Hero and featured image credit: The Final Destination (2009); Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025); Final Destination 5 (2011) via IMDb