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Lethal Weapon 4

Play trailer Poster for Lethal Weapon 4 R,  1998,  2h 7m,  Action Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 57% 63 Reviews Tomatometer 64% 250,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
57% Tomatometer 63 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Detective Riggs (Mel Gibson) tries to settle down with his pregnant girlfriend, Lorna (Rene Russo), while his partner, Murtaugh (Danny Glover), comes to grips with the marriage of his pregnant daughter, Rianne (Traci Wolfe), to fellow cop Butters (Chris Rock). But they find themselves and their families targeted by Chinese mobsters, led by Wah Sing Ku (Jet Li). Riggs, Murtaugh, Butters and private eye Getz (Joe Pesci) decide to go on the offensive before the gangsters get to their loved ones.
Lethal Weapon 4

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Jet Li's arrival breathes fresh life into a tired franchise formula -- but not enough to put Lethal Weapon 4 on equal footing with its predecessors.

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Critics Reviews

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Leonard Klady Variety Aug 25, 2008
It matters little that the film is rife with non sequiturs, nonsense and nihilistic violence, because its heroes are so darn buoyant and charming. Go to Full Review
Geoff Andrew Time Out Jun 24, 2006
The climactic streetfighting clash between Mel and coldly charismatic martial arts star Jet Li is a bone-crunching classic. Go to Full Review
Mick LaSalle San Francisco Chronicle Jun 18, 2002
3/4
One could argue about which Lethal Weapon is the best, but No. 4 is certainly the funniest, warmest and most idiosyncratic. Go to Full Review
Don Shanahan Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast Jan 13, 2026
Jet Li, in his American introduction for many, adds imposing clout and an entirely new threat than any of the previous films. Leave it to Chris Rock to steal his scenes too. Go to Full Review
John Ferguson Radio Times Sep 19, 2025
3/5
Otherwise it's business as usual, with director Richard Donner laying on the requisite destruction as Gibson and Glover track down a ruthless Triad gang that specialises in smuggling immigrants. Go to Full Review
Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Sep 14, 2020
8/10
An outstanding finale to the series, proving that some forms of overkill never get too old. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Albus S Apr 21, 2019 The last film in the series (although there are rumors of a fifth one). This one, despite having mixed reviews, I like it. It has both action and comedy AND a somewhat decent story. The main character though was a total bitch in this movie and I didn't care for that. The action is good and has some pretty cool fight scenes. The acting is just like the other past three movies: solid but not amazing. I must say this one is a fine way to send off a film franchise. See more
Apr 3, 2019 The weaker film in the Lethal Weapon saga. The reason for the film this time is that it's not just Danny Glover who ages, Gibson too. And we fail to see Riggs as someone indestructible and someone with the normal weaknesses of age and with new family responsibilities, will be a father. It could be an interesting argument, but it does not fit the past of the series. The film serves only to say a happy goodbye to the series with a family photo at the end. Maybe unnecessary. See more
Nov 18, 2018 In the entire lethal weapon series the fourth one is my least favorite. I was kind of not impressed.
Han P Jun 29, 2018 every bit of a misguided mishap.. Lethal Weapon 4 1 And A Half Out Of 5 Lethal Weapon 4 is another advancement on the partner-in-crime's chapter, that neither helps evolve the characters nor the makers from its rigid bubble. The rudimentary process and the urge to leave the scene or cut to next scene with either a bang or a punch line that defies logic and practicality, pretty much gives it away within its first few minutes where the feature may lie. The franchise still hasn't solved its antagonist problem, for it never oozes threat as it should nor does it projects the stake at risk; it's all possible, it's all easy with a tougher sacrificial routine. It is again low on its technical aspects like choreography, sound department and editing. The screenplay by Channing Gibson is actually a mixology of all the spicy ingredients extracted from the commercially successful feature, adding it up and waiting for the outcome which too in here isn't handled well by Richard Donner; the director, as usual is short on executing the script addition to that it also failed to project the brotherhood that was present in the previous installments. The performance by Mel Gibson seems a bit derailed whilst Donald Glover seems to be focused with a humorous supporting cast like Joe Pesci and Chris Rock. Lethal Weapon 4 is every bit of a misguided mishap as its predecessor and more for it sucks out the soul from it. See more
Luke S Apr 2, 2018 Love the movie a ton! Probably one of the best movie series out there.
Poe M Jan 3, 2018 3.5/5. It's not as good as the first two, but Lethal Weapon 4 is still a solid buddy-cop movie. The action scenes are great, and Jet Li is a solid villain. There is still too much silly comedy, but there is much less than in Lethal Weapon 3. See more
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Lethal Weapon 4

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Movie Info

Synopsis Detective Riggs (Mel Gibson) tries to settle down with his pregnant girlfriend, Lorna (Rene Russo), while his partner, Murtaugh (Danny Glover), comes to grips with the marriage of his pregnant daughter, Rianne (Traci Wolfe), to fellow cop Butters (Chris Rock). But they find themselves and their families targeted by Chinese mobsters, led by Wah Sing Ku (Jet Li). Riggs, Murtaugh, Butters and private eye Getz (Joe Pesci) decide to go on the offensive before the gangsters get to their loved ones.
Director
Richard Donner
Producer
Joel Silver, Richard Donner
Screenwriter
Shane Black, Jonathan Lemkin, Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Channing Gibson
Distributor
Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Production Co
Silver Pictures, Donner/Schuler-Donner, Warner Brothers
Rating
R
Genre
Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 10, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 15, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$129.8M
Runtime
2h 7m
Sound Mix
SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Scope (2.35:1)
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