Overview
Two mismatched cops take on a dangerous drug cartel, leading to explosive confrontations and unexpected twists.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- irreverent
- witty
- propulsive
- action movie night
- 1980s nostalgia
What critics said
Critics broadly found the sequel highly entertaining and faithful to the original's comic-action formula, while noting that spectacle often overwhelms its political and dramatic ambitions.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Riggs and Murtaugh's contrasting personalities shape the investigation, action scenes, and personal risks.
The South African consulate's diplomatic status prevents Riggs and Murtaugh from acting against the criminal network through ordinary police means.
The film builds its entertainment around car wrecks, gun battles, explosions, helicopters, and absurdly dangerous set pieces.
The Krugerrands and Leo Getz's money-laundering history connect the initial drug investigation to the diplomatic crime operation.
Films like Lethal Weapon 2, and why
Lethal Weapon
shares the buddy cop structure, irreverent humor, explosive set pieces, and emotionally grounded partnership between detectives
48 Hrs.
combines fast-paced police action, comic partnership dynamics, criminal conspiracies, and escalating urban destruction
Tango & Cash
features a wisecracking law-enforcement duo, propulsive crime plotting, and spectacular action balanced with character banter
Beverly Hills Cop II
mixes police corruption, international criminal schemes, hard-edged violence, and sardonic action-comedy energy
Movie Details
- Director
- Richard Donner
- Release Date
- 1989-07-07
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (3888)
Cast
- Mel Gibson
- Danny Glover
- Joe Pesci
- Joss Ackland
- Derrick O'Connor
- Patsy Kensit
- Darlene Love
- Traci Wolfe
- Mark Rolston
- Steve Kahan
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Lethal Weapon 2 about?
- Two mismatched Los Angeles detectives battle a heavily armed drug network protected by diplomatic immunity while their combustible friendship faces its most dangerous test.
- What is Lethal Weapon 2 like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Lethal Weapon 2 as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Lethal Weapon 2 violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Lethal Weapon 2 as graphic.
- What did critics think of Lethal Weapon 2?
- Critics broadly found the sequel highly entertaining and faithful to the original's comic-action formula, while noting that spectacle often overwhelms its political and dramatic ambitions.
- Which films are like Lethal Weapon 2?
- Films with a similar feel include Lethal Weapon, 48 Hrs., Tango & Cash, and Beverly Hills Cop II.
- How long is Lethal Weapon 2?
- Lethal Weapon 2 runs 114 minutes.
- Where can I watch Lethal Weapon 2?
- In United States, Lethal Weapon 2 is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
