You know that feeling when you're flipping through channels—or scrolling through a streaming library that feels a mile long—and you see those two faces? Mel Gibson’s wild, "I might actually jump off this building" eyes and Danny Glover’s "I just want to eat my tuna sandwich in peace" expression. It’s comforting. Honestly, it’s like cinematic mac and cheese.
When people talk about mel gibson and danny glover movies, they are basically talking about the Lethal Weapon franchise. There isn't some secret indie drama they did together in the 90s. There’s no Shakespearean adaptation. It’s just Riggs and Murtaugh. But man, that pairing did more for the "buddy cop" genre than almost any other duo in Hollywood history.
They made four movies together between 1987 and 1998. That’s eleven years of bickering, blowing things up, and subverting every trope in the book before those tropes even became annoying.
The Magic of the Riggs and Murtaugh Dynamic
What most people get wrong about these movies is thinking they’re just about the action. Sure, there’s a lot of gunpowder. But the reason we’re still talking about them in 2026 is the chemistry. It wasn't fake.
Gibson played Martin Riggs, a guy who was literally suicidal in the first film. It was dark. Like, surprisingly dark for a summer blockbuster. Then you had Glover’s Roger Murtaugh. He’s the grounded one. He has the house, the family, and that boat he’s never going to finish.
Why the first film hit different
In 1987, nobody expected a movie about two cops to handle mental health the way Lethal Weapon did. Riggs wasn't just a "loose cannon" because it was cool; he was a grieving widower who didn't care if he lived or died.
- The contrast: Murtaugh is 50. Riggs is in his 30s.
- The setting: It’s a Christmas movie. Sorta. Like Die Hard, but with more saxophone music.
- The villain: Gary Busey as Mr. Joshua. Pure 80s gold.
The movie cost about $15 million to make and ended up pulling in $120 million worldwide. That’s a massive win. It basically gave Warner Bros. a license to print money for the next decade.
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The Evolution of Mel Gibson and Danny Glover Movies
By the time Lethal Weapon 2 rolled around in 1989, the tone shifted. It got funnier. This is where we got Joe Pesci as Leo Getz. "Okay, okay, okay!" You can hear it, right?
That second film is arguably the peak of the series. It balanced the South African "Diplomatic Immunity!" villains with the genuine friendship between the leads. There’s a scene where Murtaugh is stuck on a booby-trapped toilet, and Riggs refuses to leave his side. It’s weirdly touching. You don't see that kind of vulnerability in modern action movies very often.
The later years and the "Too Old" trope
By Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) and Lethal Weapon 4 (1998), the formula was well-established. Some critics say it got a bit stale, but the fans didn't care. The fourth movie introduced Jet Li—who was absolutely terrifying—and Chris Rock.
Funny enough, the budget for the fourth one ballooned to nearly $140 million. They were rushing so fast to get it out that they were still editing it weeks before it hit theaters. It made its money back, but it felt like the end of an era.
What Really Happened with Lethal Weapon 5?
Here we are in 2026, and everyone is asking the same thing: Is it actually happening?
It's been a rollercoaster. Richard Donner, the legendary director of the first four, passed away in 2021 at the age of 91. That should have been the end of it. But Mel Gibson has been vocal about wanting to direct it himself to honor Donner’s legacy.
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Honestly, the updates lately have been a bit of a letdown. As of early 2026, Gibson is deep into filming his Passion of the Christ sequel, Resurrection, in Italy. That project is massive—it’s actually being split into two parts coming out in 2027.
Meanwhile, Danny Glover is 79. Gibson is 70.
There was a big reunion at MegaCon in Orlando back in 2025 where they looked great together, and the fans went nuts. But according to people close to the production, like director Allan Ungar, the window might be closing.
"Mel has a plan, but he's busy. We don't know if we'll ever see it, and maybe we don't need to. The fourth one ended pretty perfectly."
That's a tough pill to swallow for die-hards. We want to see them one last time, but nobody wants to see a movie where the stunts feel forced or the "I'm too old for this" line feels a little too literal.
The Legacy Beyond the Badge
It’s interesting to look at how different their careers went. Danny Glover used that Lethal Weapon fame to fund smaller, more political films and stayed incredibly active in activism. Mel Gibson, well, we know his story. High highs, very low lows, and a comeback as a director with Hacksaw Ridge.
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But when they are together? All that baggage seems to disappear.
They redefined the "odd couple" dynamic. Without Riggs and Murtaugh, you don't get Rush Hour. You don't get Bad Boys. You don't get the specific brand of banter that Marvel movies try to copy now.
Key takeaways for fans
If you’re looking to revisit the mel gibson and danny glover movies, don't just watch them for the explosions.
- Watch the chemistry grow: In the first movie, they barely trust each other. By the fourth, they are family.
- Look for the "Donner-isms": Richard Donner had a way of making the action feel messy and real.
- Appreciate the side characters: From Rene Russo’s Lorna Cole to the ever-annoying Leo Getz, the world-building was top-tier.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're feeling nostalgic, here is how to get the most out of a rewatch:
- Start with the Director’s Cuts: The first Lethal Weapon has an extended cut with more scenes showing Riggs’ isolation. It makes his character arc much stronger.
- Check out the 4K Remasters: If you haven't seen these in UHD, you’re missing out. The grit of 80s Los Angeles looks incredible.
- Track the "I'm too old for this" line: Murtaugh says it in every movie, but the context changes as he actually gets older.
- Skip the TV show (initially): While the 2016 series wasn't terrible, it doesn't have the soul of the original duo. Save it for when you've exhausted the films.
The reality is that we might never get that fifth movie. And that’s okay. We have four films that captured lightning in a bottle—a partnership that proved you could have a high-octane action movie that actually cared about its characters' hearts.
Whether they're jumping off buildings or arguing about a drive-thru, Gibson and Glover gave us the ultimate blueprint for movie bromance. That isn't going anywhere.