Lethal Weapon

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Lethal Weapon

R

Released Mar 6, 1987

1h 49m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

55 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

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

Jul 25, 2019

Full Review

Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

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.

Mar 6, 2017

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

[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.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 13, 2014

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

An enduring buddy film, brilliantly combining drama, comedy, adventure, bloodshed, machine gun showdowns in the middle of busy highways, and excessive property destruction.

Rated: 8/10

Sep 6, 2020

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Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

My problem with Lethal Weapon is I did not love the script or the action

Rated: 4/10

May 25, 2020

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...it's not difficult to see why Riggs and Murtaugh became downright iconic figures after the release of this picture...

Rated: 3/4

Dec 24, 2019

Full Review

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John R

Man the 80's was the best

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/14/25

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Brian H

Wonderful movie. Started the string of cop buddy movies. Gibson, Glover, and Busey are their parts.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/05/25

Full Review

Rami A

Richard Donner always had a unique touch whenever it came to directing movies. I've enjoyed The Omen and absolutely loved Superman (including his cut of Superman II), so I was interested in checking this out. I'm happy to say that I enjoyed this movie a whole lot. There's something about 80s action films that gives out a fun vibe. Maybe it's due to Mel Gibson and Danny Glover's chemistry, or the exciting action, or even the moving plot. I may never know, but what I do know is that I had fun.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/25

Full Review

Noah R

noah:says that was awesome!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/25

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Chip C

One of the best Christmas movies ever made.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/25

Full Review

Gaming N

just a nice classic action movie

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/05/25

Full Review

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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

60%

61%

Lethal Weapon 3

Watchlist

Conspiracy Theory

57%

64%

Conspiracy Theory

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Lethal Weapon 2

82%

78%

Lethal Weapon 2

Watchlist

Die Hard

94%

94%

Die Hard

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TRAILER

for Die Hard

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44%

67%

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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, Richard Donner
Screenwriter: Shane Black
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Silver Pictures
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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