As alluded to on Final Destination series will be resurrected with a sixth movie, supposedly focusing on first responders. The series became famous for its gruesome and elaborate deaths, but the key component of any Final Destination movie is the premonition disaster that kickstarts each installment.
While audiences came to expect the premonition disasters, they still provided shocks and surprises and honed in on very real fears. From a plane crash to a bridge collapse, each premonition was explosive and deadly, but some were more surprising and horrifying than others.
McKinley Speedway Disaster (The Final Destination)
The Final Destination was billed as the last installment in the franchise, but most fans will be relieved that didn't turn out to be the case. Often considered as the weakest Final Destination movie, this installment begins with a CGI-heavy disaster at a speedway.
One of the most horrifying things about the Final Destination disasters is how they focus on real fears, leaving viewers afraid to board a plane or drive down a motorway. A speedway isn't somewhere most people will visit regularly, so this element is diminished here. Also, the disaster leans heavily into the movie's 3D gimmick, which means a lot of the deaths look cartoonish and fake. Unfortunately, this disaster is more humorous than terrifying.
Springfield Centre Mall Disaster (The Final Destination)
A twist in The Final Destination is the second premonition, but it's not all that shocking considering that it was done more effectively in the previous movie. This disaster is less CGI-heavy than the speedway crash and leans more into the gruesome elements of the franchise.
This premonition actually features one of Final Destination with Lori's doomed escalator ride. The death is certainly the most memorable of this installment, so it seems a shame that it was confined to a premonition and wasn't Lori's real death. Although Lori's death is horrifying, the twist comes across as unoriginal by this point, and the rest of the premonition feels unimaginative.
North Bay Bridge Disaster (Final Destination 5)
Final Destination 5 opens with a bridge collapse disaster. Unlike some of the other disasters, this one gives each character their own unique death; Olivia falls to safety in the water only for a car to fall down on her, Dennis is covered with hot tar, and Peter is impaled by iron bars. As many people drive over bridges every day, this premonition is more relatable than those from the previous film, but it does, quite literally, veer into overkill territory.
The disaster survivors' deaths are supposed to be elaborate and cruel to show Death's rage at them escaping, so, to have such a variety of deaths in the opening premonition slightly takes away from this. The grand nature of this disaster makes it feel less realistic and horrific than others.
The Subway Disaster (Final Destination 3)
The second premonition twist was done first in Final Destination 3. The viewers believe that Death has come back for Wendy and the others and is cleaning up the list when the subway disaster begins, only for the twist that it was all a premonition.
The crash itself is eerie and gruesome, and it returns to what the series does best; many people ride the subway every day, so this plays on familiar environments and common fears. Also, at this point in the series, there had only been one premonition per movie; viewers weren't even sure it was possible for someone to have two premonitions, so it certainly provides a big shock. The subway disaster provides a bleak and chilling end to the film as Wendy is aware of what is about to happen, but, this time, it's too late for her to save anyone.
The Devil's Flight Rollercoaster Disaster (Final Destination 3)
Many people have a fear of rollercoasters, so this disaster from Final Destination 3 is certainly successful in terrifying viewers. Before any of the characters have even boarded the rollercoaster, there's a strong sense of paranoia and anxiety, and Wendy looks unsettled right from the start. When the rollercoaster leaves the station, everything seems fine, but fans know something terrible is about to occur.
While there were other faults with the rollercoaster, the main cause of the crash seems to be Frankie's camera, which is confusing, as Frankie gets off the rollercoaster in the real disaster—and Frankie was certainly one of the Final Destination characters who had it coming.
That being said, the way the rollercoaster quickly begins to derail is shocking and leaves audiences thinking back to times they've boarded a rollercoaster. The scenes where the engers are trying to hold down their safety restraints and where the last engers hang upside down from the carriage are particularly uncomfortable to watch.
The Flight 180 Disaster (Final Destination)
The disaster that started it all back in Final Destination is simple compared to those that would follow, but that's what makes it so effective. The fear of flying is very relatable, and this disaster is like something straight from a nightmare. The anxiety which turns to laughter when the plane hits turbulence is a strong setup for what is to come.
The horrified screams of the characters when they realize the disturbance is more than turbulence is chilling and will remain on the viewer's mind throughout the film. Half of the plane being ripped out with characters being dragged into the atmosphere is also shocking. Although the disaster is explosive, it keeps things relatively simple and realistic, which makes it one of the scariest ever horror movie openings.
The Route 23 Disaster (Final Destination 2)
After seeing the first movie, it's difficult to think the disaster could be topped—then along came Final Destination 2 to terrify fans. It would be difficult to drive down a busy motorway after seeing this movie and not think of the opening disaster.
From the logs impaling Officer Burke to Eugene being crushed by his own motorbike, most of the deaths here are brutal. Seeing Nora desperately try to break but being stopped by a water bottle is particularly harrowing, and, when the cars begin to explode, it's all-out carnage. The premonition ends with the memorable visual of Kimberly's car flipping and the huge truck coming towards her; the brutal yet darkly realistic nature of this disaster makes it the most horrifying of the series.
