26 Years Ago Today, One of the 21st Century’s Most Iconic Horror Franchises Started (& It Needs Another Sequel)

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Following the success of Scream, a wave of trendy, self-aware horror movies flooded theaters, much like what happened after Halloween and Friday the 13th. Back then, fans had to choose between films like Graduation Day, Prom Night, and Terror Train. However, the movies that came out after Scream had bigger budgets and featured a lot of rising stars and popular young actors. Films like Valentine, Urban Legend, and Halloween H20: 20 Years Later all followed this trend.

Among the horror films that followed Scream, Final Destination really stood out. Released on March 17, 2000, it received better reviews than many similar movies at the time. Thanks to its inventive story and surprising twists – despite the characters ultimately being destined to die – James Wong’s film was a great start to a successful franchise.

What Makes Final Destination So Special & Why Is Now the Perfect Time to Keep the Gravy Train Rolling?

The Final Destination movies have had varying degrees of success, but a few key elements consistently contribute to their quality. First, the opening disaster scene needs to be both imaginative and thrilling. Second, the elaborate and inventive ways the characters meet their fate are crucial. And finally, the films stand out because they develop well-rounded characters, unlike many horror movies that focus solely on creating memorable deaths. Final Destination excels at both creative kills and compelling characters.

The original Final Destination features a fantastic ensemble cast with well-developed characters. Devon Sawa portrays Alex Browning as a relatable, kind-hearted guy who has a terrifying vision of the future. Ali Larter, as Clear Rivers, perfectly embodies a quiet and courageous personality. Kerr Smith plays Carter Horton, a jock who is surprisingly complex. Kristen Cloke is excellent as Valerie Lewton, a teacher who is as shaken up by the plane crash as her students. Chad E. Donella’s Tod Waggner is instantly likable, making his death particularly impactful. Amanda Detmer’s Terry Chaney hides her fear with a sarcastic attitude. And Seann William Scott, known for American Pie, brings a goofy but genuinely good-hearted energy to the role of Billy Hitchcock, a far cry from his character in that film.

Most of the sequels have attempted to create characters with a similar range of personalities. Even when they don’t quite succeed, they generally stick to the core idea of the first film: a realistic disaster is narrowly avoided, only for the survivors to repeatedly lose the safety they’ve gained.

Okay, so as a fan, I was really surprised by how good Final Destination 2 turned out to be – that opening is incredible, and I loved how they focused on Clear. Final Destination 3 made a smart choice with the rollercoaster setting; honestly, what other series could pull off a disaster movie like that? Though Mary Elizabeth Winstead did her best, it sometimes felt a little too familiar. Then The Final Destination came out right when everyone was obsessed with 3D after Avatar, and it just didn’t work. It relied way too much on special effects and had the most forgettable characters ever. Thankfully, Final Destination 5 was a return to form, getting back to the quality of the first two movies, which is ironic because it seemed to fly under the radar with American audiences at the time.

The series saw a major turning point 14 years later with the release of Final Destination: Bloodlines. While none of the Final Destination movies were complete failures, only Final Destination 5 had earned a “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes – until Bloodlines. The film achieved a remarkable 92% fresh rating thanks to its strong character development, creatively elaborate death sequences, and exploration of how far back Death’s plans could reach. Much like Radio Silence revitalized Scream, Bloodlines breathed new life into the franchise while remaining true to its core identity.

Critics weren’t the only ones who loved the new Final Destination film, Bloodlines. It actually became the most financially successful movie in the series, even when accounting for inflation. Because of that success, another Final Destination movie is definitely happening. But it shouldn’t be about making money; Bloodlines showed there are still great stories to tell within this franchise. While it’s disappointing we won’t see Tony Todd reprise his role as William Bludworth, it’s clear this horror series still has plenty to offer and isn’t running out of steam.

Did you enjoy Bloodlines, the Final Destination film? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-17 19:44