Lethal Weapon

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Lethal Weapon

R

1987

1h 49m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

60 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Following the death of his wife, Los Angeles police detective Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) becomes reckless and suicidal. When he is reassigned and partnered with Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), Riggs immediately clashes with the older officer. Together they uncover a massive drug-trafficking ring. As they encounter increasingly dangerous situations, Riggs and Murtaugh begin to form a bond. Riggs' volatile behavior might just help them apprehend the criminals -- if it doesn't kill them both first.

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Critics Consensus

The most successful installment in a phenomenally successful series, Lethal Weapon helped redefine action movies for the 1980s and 1990s.

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Jul 25, 2019

Richard Donner directed with an expert eye for action but impaired vision for logic.

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

Mar 6, 2017

Unfortunately, while Black's assembled all the parts, he's not locked in the conflict early enough, and the good scenes simply aren't enough good to make up for the plot's too-late lock.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Dec 13, 2014

3/4

[Gibson and Glover] make a great team, and some of their early adventures are exciting. But the film runs out of gas as it turns into an extended chase sequence.

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Richard Freedman

Newark Star-Ledger

Jan 7, 2026

Its real strength lies... in the fully realized, deeply human relationships between its two cop heroes, an odd couple indeed, but totally believable and endearing throughout.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 11, 2025

2.5/4

It's considered an action classic and one of the best "buddy cop" films, but it's always held just marginal appeal for me -- besides, compare it to Die Hard, and its "classic" status seems even more ludicrous.

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Gavin Spoors

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

Aug 4, 2025

4/5

What elevates Lethal Weapon from being a standard action film is how it takes its time to let the audience really get to know the characters.

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Jacob W

@RT17896586 5 days ago

Following the death of his wife, Los Angeles police detective Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) becomes reckless and suicidal. When he is reassigned and partnered with Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), Riggs immediately clashes with the older officer. Together they uncover a massive drug-trafficking ring. As they encounter increasingly dangerous situations, Riggs and Murtaugh begin to form a bond. Riggs' volatile behavior might just help them apprehend the criminals - In my opinion this is the original Christmas movie but gets overlooked by Die Hard which came out the year after. This is the ultimate busy movie and made Mel Gibson a global celebrity off the back of mad max. With Four films that followed and a new one soon the set pieces are amazing and the late RD was a masterful director. Enjoy.

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B P

@Bradster69 Oct 1, 2026

Definitely Recommend It

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 20, 2026

Lethal Weapon = a 4 star Movie!

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Justin T

@RT29681041 Aug 18, 2026

One Of The Best Cop Movies Of All Time The Hole Series Is Amazing

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Jason R

@JasonLovesMoviesForever Aug 6, 2026

Some of Mel Gibson's best work as an actor!

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Ashequl I

@Tofa13 Jul 31, 2026

Lethal Weapon (1987) is a timeless, brilliantly executed action-thriller that balances explosive set-pieces with genuine character depth and dark comedy. Directed by Richard Donner and written by Shane Black, the film succeeds effortlessly thanks to the legendary chemistry between Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. Gibson brings a wild, unhinged, yet deeply sympathetic edge to Martin Riggs—a suicidal officer grieving his wife—while Glover provides the perfect grounded counterweight as a family man nearing retirement. Supported by a sharp screenplay, snappy dialogue, and gritty 80s action, the film delivers a breezy, highly entertaining experience from start to finish. A true classic of the genre that remains thoroughly enjoyable to this day.

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Richard Donner

Director

Mel Gibson

Sergeant Martin Riggs

Danny Glover

Sergeant Roger Murtaugh

Gary Busey

Mr. Joshua

Mitch Ryan

General Peter McAllister

Tom Atkins

Michael Hunsaker

Lethal Weapon 3

63%

61%

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59%

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Lethal Weapon 2

82%

78%

Lethal Weapon 2

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Die Hard

94%

94%

Die Hard

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Die Hard 2

68%

70%

Die Hard 2

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Synopsis

Following the death of his wife, Los Angeles police detective Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) becomes reckless and suicidal. When he is reassigned and partnered with Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), Riggs immediately clashes with the older officer. Together they uncover a massive drug-trafficking ring. As they encounter increasingly dangerous situations, Riggs and Murtaugh begin to form a bond. Riggs' volatile behavior might just help them apprehend the criminals -- if it doesn't kill them both first.

Director: Richard Donner
Producer: Joel Silver
Screenwriter: Shane Black
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Production Co: Silver Pictures, Warner Brothers
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 6, 1987, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $61.0M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Surround

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