5 — I kinda go back-and-forth on this and 3 for the number one spot, but I decided on 5 just for the ending twist alone. Also, some of the best deaths in the series (two words: balance beam). Brian Tyler‘s score does a good job of keeping the DNA of what Shirley Walker did while also doing his own thing until he brings in the original theme from 1 at the very end.
3 — I put this at number 2 because it takes what 1 did really well and leans even further into it, namely, the characters and the deaths, and, honestly, I think it does them even better. Pretty much all of the deaths in this film are all-timers. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is the most sympathetic and best acted protagonist in the entire series. Also, the match cut of the tanning beds to the coffins is one of the best edits I’ve seen in a film and tells me that, okay, the filmmakers know exactly what they’re doing. The last film that Shirley Walker entirely composed for before her death and it tops even what she did in 1. Honestly, this and number 5 are kind of interchangeable for me because they both contain a lot of the hallmarks of what makes a great Final Destination sequel.
1 — This ranks right in the middle because it’s the first in the series and the one that started it all, Devon Sawa is great, the opening plane crash is fantastic, some pretty good filmmaking, Shirley Walker’s score, etc. However, because it’s the first one, it doesn’t quite feel like they knew what they had yet and are still trying to figure out what makes the franchise great. Thus, apart from the opening, a lot of the characters are kind of just there, the kills aren’t as creative and memorable and kind of meanders a bit in the middle. That being said, it’s still a lot of fun and worth watching as an introduction to the series.
2 — The highway and apartment kills are great, especially the former, which many point to as arguably the best and most quintessential in the entire series, and for very good reason. Ali Larter brings it like always. Decent setup and pay off. But, I don’t know, a lot of the film just didn’t stick with me. Also, killing off Ali Larter’s character was a mistake and kind of squandered any future potential her character might have had in the franchise. Maybe I need to revisit it in the future and give it a reevaluation. But, as of now, I will say, it’s fine.
4 — Most unmemorable, unbelievable and uncreative kills. Worst and most unlikable characters in the franchise. Practically no redeeming qualities to be found. This is reviled and considered by longtime fans of the franchise as the worst in the series and placed at the very bottom on rankings lists for a reason. Awful. Just…no.