Lethal Weapon (1987): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Lethal Weapon is a 1987 action thriller directed by Richard Donner, starring Danny Glover and Mel Gibson. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes and earned $120.2 million worldwide. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 68 on Metacritic. Stream it on Fawesome, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 50m (110 min)
- Director
- Richard Donner
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Lethal Weapon About?
The premise of Lethal Weapon without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A seasoned police detective, Roger Murtaugh, finds himself partnered with the reckless and intense Martin Riggs. Together, they investigate a series of murders connected to the criminal underworld of drugs and prostitution. Their contrasting personalities and methods create friction and danger as they pursue the truth, leading to thrilling action and unexpected camaraderie.
Lethal Weapon Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- christmas
- police
- police officer
- police partner
- male nudity
- female nudity
- kidnapping of daughter
- buddy movie
- chase
- explosion
- male rear nudity
- male star appears nude
+38 more Show fewer
- torture
- suicidal
- interracial relationship
- electrical torture
- action hero
- kidnapping
- violence
- exploding house
- mullet
- 1980s
- defenestration
- famous line
- car helicopter chase
- helicopter chase
- water hydrant
- automatic weapon
- grave site
- cemetery
- girl wears underwear
- teenage girl wears underwear
- whistling for a dog
- funeral
- shoulder holster
- holster
- squad car
- vietnam war veteran
- good versus evil
- evil man
- murder of a police officer
- kidnapping a teenage girl
- wisecrack humor
- rotorcraft
- snorting cocaine
- new partner
- cigarette smoking
- parking garage
- drug smuggling
- bipolar disorder
Where to Watch Lethal Weapon
Stream it on Fawesome, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 1
Fawesome 
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
Lethal Weapon Cast
Danny Glover leads the cast, with Mel Gibson. Directed by Richard Donner.
-
Director Richard Donner
Lethal Weapon Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Lethal Weapon 68 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 68 Metascore
User score 7.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 73% User score
See on TMDB
Lethal Weapon Plot Summary
What happens in Lethal Weapon from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Following the heart-wrenching loss of his wife, LAPD narcotics Sergeant Martin Riggs, a former Special Forces operative, finds himself spiraling into a dark abyss filled with despair and recklessness. His unpredictable behavior raises alarm among the police therapists, yet his captain believes that Riggs’ emotional turmoil is merely a disguise to secure an early retirement with a generous pension. To counter this, the captain strategically assigns Riggs to work alongside his fellow war veteran and seasoned Homicide Sergeant Roger Murtaugh, whose own experiences in Vietnam have shaped him into a battle-hardened individual. Initially, their partnership is fraught with tension and skepticism, as Murtaugh dismisses the depth of Riggs’ suffering. However, it becomes clear that Riggs’ anguish is authentic, leading Murtaugh to gradually replace his doubt with empathy.
Full summary
The whole story of Lethal Weapon, scene by scene
Lethal Weapon Box Office
Lethal Weapon grossed $120.2 million worldwide. $65.2 million came from the US and Canada and $55 million (46%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$120.2M
- US & Canada
- $65.2M
- International
- $55M
Lethal Weapon Awards & Nominations
Lethal Weapon was nominated for 1 Oscar.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Oscars 1988 1 nomination- Nominated Sound
Lethal Weapon Trailers & Videos
9 videos: 2 trailers and 7 clips.
- Trailer 4K Ultra HD Trailer
- Clip Pool Fight
- Clip Target Practice
- Clip I'm Too Old For This
How Well Do You Know Lethal Weapon?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What profession does Martin Riggs have?
Cars in Lethal Weapon
92 cars on screen, including the 1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale and the 1986 Audi 5000 C3.
-
1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Main role -
1986 Audi 5000 C3 Important role -
1978 Ford LTD Country Squire Important role -
1985 GMC C-3500 Important role
Lethal Weapon Also Known As
34 alternative titles, including “Lethal Weapon - Zwei stahlharte Profis” and “致命武器”.
- Also known as
-
- Lethal Weapon - Zwei stahlharte Profis
- 致命武器
- Zwei stahlharte Profis - Lethal Weapon
- L'Arme fatale
- Смертельное оружие
- Arma letale
- Arma Mortífera
- Halálos fegyver
- Tappava ase
- Dødelig våpen
- Arma letal
- Zabójcza broń
+22 more Show fewer
- Dødbringende våben
- Dödligt vapen
- Смъртоносно оръжие
- Cehennem Silahı
- Smrtonosná zbraň
- Смртоносно оружје
- נשק קטלני
- Φονικό Όπλο
- リーサル・ウェポン
- Arma mortală
- Máquina Mortífera
- Смертельна зброя
- 리썰 웨폰
- Arma Mortal
- Mirtinas ginklas
- Smrtonosno orožje
- Vũ Khí Tối Thượng
- Smrtonosno oružje
- ริกก์ส คนมหากาฬ
- اسلحه مرگبار, სასიკვდილო იარაღი
- 轟天炮
- Surmarelv
Seen Lethal Weapon?
Movies Like Lethal Weapon
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Lethal Weapon 3, Lethal Weapon 2 and Lethal Weapon 4.
Lethal Weapon FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Lethal Weapon, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Lethal Weapon?
Lethal Weapon runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).
When was Lethal Weapon released?
Lethal Weapon was released on March 6, 1987.
Who directed Lethal Weapon?
Lethal Weapon was directed by Richard Donner.
More films by Richard Donner Who is in the cast of Lethal Weapon?
Lethal Weapon stars Danny Glover and Mel Gibson.
Where can I watch Lethal Weapon?
In the US, Lethal Weapon is streaming on Fawesome and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Lethal Weapon make at the box office?
Lethal Weapon grossed $120.2 million worldwide ($65.2 million domestic, $55 million international).
How is Lethal Weapon rated?
Lethal Weapon has 68 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.
Was Lethal Weapon nominated for any awards?
Lethal Weapon received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
