Common Sense Media Review
Teens fear the reaper in this gory, so-so thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Final Destination
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 23 parent reviews
Parents say this movie is a graphic horror film that features intense violence and gore, making it more suitable for older teens rather than younger audiences. While some viewers appreciate its clever writing and thrilling premise, many warn about its strong language, sexual content, and the overall disturbing nature of its death scenes.
- graphic violence
- strong language
- sexual content
- older teens
- thrilling premise
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 82 kid reviews
Kids say this film is more of a dark comedy than a traditional horror movie, featuring over-the-top gory scenes that elicit both laughs and screams. Many viewers find it a great introduction to the horror genre, with some suggesting it’s suitable for older teens due to its strong language and graphic violence, while others highlight its positive messages about appreciating life amidst chaos.
- horror comedy
- gore levels
- age appropriateness
- entertaining premise
- strong language
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In FINAL DESTINATION, just after taking his seat on a flight, high school senior Alex (Devon Sawa) has a vivid vision that the plane that's carrying him and his classmates to France will explode shortly after takeoff. He panics and is taken off the plane with five others who somehow get caught up in his hysteria. Sure enough, as Alex and a classmate argue at the gate, the plane takes off without them and explodes. Then, one by one, the six teens who escaped the plane begin to die under curious circumstances. As the body count rises, the group is forced to confront the invisible enemy that always catches up—because you can't cheat Death.
Is It Any Good?
This gory, fatalistic horror spectacle has a convincing enough plot. But Final Destination is so desperate to create an aura of foreboding that, by the end of the film, any object in existence could be a weapon in the hands of the grim reaper. This certainly makes for suspense—but not good suspense. Watching this film merely becomes a countdown to gore as curiosity over how someone will die overshadows any curiosity over who will die. Overall, it proves to be a disappointing experience.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the concepts of death and fate that Final Destination explores. Are our lives predetermined, or do we have free will? To what degree are we able to control what happens in our lives?
As the survivors grow more desperate, the film raises questions about how people behave when faced with danger. What would you do in these situations?
Alex is met with suspicion and isolation rather than support. What does this say about how schools and law enforcement treat those who are grappling with grief or fear? How can these institutions do better to help and protect?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 17, 2000
- On DVD or streaming : September 26, 2000
- Cast : Ali Larter , Devon Sawa , Kerr Smith
- Director : James Wong
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Director(s) , Chinese Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Anchor Bay Entertainment
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 98 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence and terror, and for language
- Last updated : November 6, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate