The Final Destination franchise has been traumatizing us for 25 years now, and their newest installment is sure to do the same to a new generation of viewers. Devon Sawa and Ali Larter led the original back in 2000 that introduced us to a whole new genre of film. It was truly unlike anything we had ever seen and led to four additional movies afterwards. The largest gap in their releases stands at 14 years (Final Destination 5 came out in 2011) and that is now being filled with Final Destination: Bloodlines set to hit theaters May 16, 2025. The footage they showed us at CinemaCon last month looked promising, with us getting a look at a full death scene that was gnarly. This also marks the last film from the late Tony Todd as he tragically passed away in November. As we gear up for some unhinged chaos, let’s take a look back at some of the worst deaths imaginable.
- 6. LASIK, Anyone? (Final Destination 5)
Olivia (Jacqueline Maclnnes Wood), like most, was tired of dealing with her bad vision and opted for eye surgery. In a strange turn of events that would be considered predictable in this saga of films, the machine malfunctions causing the laser to burn her eyes as she was attempting to reach the panic button. When she finally breaks free, she ends up slipping and falling out of the window, with the cherry on top being her eyeball getting run over. While none of this seems likely to happen, it is still fairly triggering for anyone considering LASIK.
- 5. Tod Hanging by a Thread (Final Destination)
As a fan of the OG, the list wouldn’t be complete without a selection from the one that started them all. While the first one was so new to us that every death was fairly unpredictable, this one took the cake. As it starts as a simple leaking of the toilet, Tod (Chad Donella) ultimately slips and is strangled by a clothesline. This death had somewhat of a somber tone as it was ruled a suicide since he was not taking things well having survived the plane explosion. While it isn’t as traumatizing as some of the other deaths, we can definitely relate to having thought of possibly slipping in the shower and having someone find us in such an awkward position.
- 4. Nora Headed into Elevator (Final Destination 2)
This lands on our list for the way it taps into something a lot of people fear: elevators. We are typically scared of the idea of plummeting from hundreds of feet in the air, but a new fear was unlocked in Final Destination 2. When Nora (Lynda Boyd) steps into an elevator, she is sharing the space with a weird man carrying a mannequin with hooks. As she tries to leave, her hair is caught on one of the hooks and the door closes with her head still stuck inside. We all knew what was coming next as Nora is decapitated when the elevator heads to the next floor.
- 3. Ashley and Ashlyn Get a Tan (Final Destination 3)
If you’ve ever gotten a tan before, then you are most likely traumatized for life after seeing Final Destination 3. When two besties (Chelan Simmons and Crystal Lowe) go to the salon, everything that can go wrong does when they are stuck in their tanning beds. Everything that led up to this was so creative, from the manager asking Ashley to toss out her drink to that same cup causing condensation to land on the power supply. With the temperature slowly rising, the girls are burned alive in one of the most gruesome deaths. Many women will tell you this lingers in their minds to this day, with some opting for natural sunbathing instead because they’re traumatized.
- 2. Candice on the Beam (Final Destination 5)
If you’re a super fan of the franchise, then you know this was hands down the most shocking and unexpected kill off. Candice (Ellen Wroe) is training in a gymnast setting and several things are thrown into the mix to make you think you know what’s going to happen next. But nothing can prepare you. From the crew on the balance beam to the A/C unit malfunctioning, Candice dodged it all and we almost thought she was safe, until she unexpectedly falls and literally folds in half, breaking her spine and causing for the most graphic and over the top death in any Final Destination film to date.
- 1. Highway Pile Up (Final Destination 2)
This one tops the list for the simple fact that it has altered our brain chemistry to this day anytime we are anywhere near an 18 wheeler carrying large objects. Talk about one heck of an intro, Final Destination 2 opens up with an insane pile up on a highway after a truck carrying large trunks of wood becomes loose. One of those logs completely obliterates a police officer as it pierces straight through his windshield. It was so insanely bizarre that I don’t think any of us ever thought to avoid semis on the freeway as much as we do today. This is one of those deaths that left a lasting impact on us more than any movie has in a long time.
Final Destination: Bloodlines opens May 16, 2025, in theaters.