This film elevated Keanu Reeves to action stardom. The story is a straightforward revenge tale, but its creative gun-fu action and distinct underworld setting set it apart. While the inciting incident is the killing of a dog, it introduces secret rules and assassin relationships that add meaningful depth. With no romance and a bold, dark aesthetic, John Wick redefined action movies in the 2010s.

The new installment in the horror franchise, Final Dead Blood, returns after 14 years and brilliantly delivers on series fans’ expectations. While the series appeared to have concluded with the previous film, Final Dead Bridge, this chapter makes an unexpected comeback based on a concept by Jon Watts, director of the Spider-Man trilogy. Notably, the film’s most distinctive feature is its innovative concept: “three generations battling death.” Where past entries depicted young survivors of isolated accidents succumbing one after another, this film shifts the scale, presenting the franchise’s most expansive story to date. It follows an entire family line, starting with the 1968 tragedy, trapped in a curse of death. Importantly, the grotesque death scenes are still present—more extreme than ever—and the visual quality, thanks to Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema’s generous budget and the perfect balance of CGI and practical effects, overwhelms the viewer.

Final Destination 5, also known as Final Dead Bridge, injects fresh energy into the franchise. Instead of focusing on the Grim Reaper’s direct involvement, as seen in the previous film, it returns to the original fear of unexpected accidents. Its standout ending ties back to the first movie, surprising fans with a circular story. Intense, graphic scenes and clever hints throughout distinguish this movie from just another sequel.

Final Destination 4 was released in 2009 as the fourth movie in the series, aiming to capitalize on the 3D movie trend. Ironically, leaning so heavily on 3D turned out to be its biggest problem. Even with its flaws like weak characters, rough CGI, and a simple story, the movie still delivers the over-the-top death scenes fans expect. For horror fans, it’s worth watching at least once, even if it’s remembered as the series’s low point.

Final Destination 3 is the third movie in the series and brings back original director James Wong, showing off what makes the franchise special. It starts with a striking roller coaster accident and follows with a string of creative, chain-reaction deaths set up by the Grim Reaper. The film mixes scares and dark humor in a way that’s both fun and suspenseful. Mary Elizabeth Winstead stands out with a performance that hints at her future stardom, and the movie keeps up the series’ trademark tension.

‘Final Destination 2’ sharpens the franchise’s core idea, using an unforgettable highway accident scene to showcase its signature inventive death designs. The film expands on the original’s formula by adding new rules and interpretations around fate, and notably integrates dark humor, making its approach to horror even more stylish and bold. Its opening highway pile-up offers a meticulously crafted sequence that stands out as a defining moment in 2000s horror.