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Lethal Weapon

Lethal Weapon

Good Cop. Crazy Good Cop.

2016–2019Ended3 seasons55 episodes~44 min/epTV-14Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

A slightly unhinged former Navy SEAL lands a job as a police officer in Los Angeles where he's partnered with a veteran detective trying to keep maintain a low stress level in his life.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Lethal Weapon?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Lethal Weapon streaming on Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Highlights

What stands out about Lethal Weapon?

Lethal Weapon earns 3 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Fun.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Lethal Weapon worth watching?

Lethal Weapon's Midcredits score is the 82nd percentile of all shows, from 44K ratings across 2 sources. 86% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

82nd percentile

Better received than 82% of shows

78th percentile among Action81st percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)75th
Approval (how many liked it)85th

Acclaim

Crowd Pleaser: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

76 /100

75th percentile of all shows

74th percentile among Action73rd percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

Approval

How many liked it

86% liked it

85th percentile of all shows

80th percentile among Action84th percentile among 2010s
86% rated it 7–1014% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

97th percentile

43K ratings across platforms

88th percentile among Action97th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 23% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Fans praised

  • Crawford's nuanced, deeper take on Riggs compared to Gibson
  • Potent on-screen chemistry between Crawford and Wayans
  • Faithful buddy-cop spirit with modernized action and humor

Detractors panned

  • Show collapses without Riggs; replacement can't salvage the dynamic
  • Wayans' Murtaugh becomes a buffoonish, unlikeable caricature

What stands out

ActingDivisive82

Crawford's layered, charismatic Riggs is widely hailed; Wayans polarizing as overly goofy Murtaugh

HumorDivisive70

Solid buddy-comedy laughs in first two seasons; third season loses the spark

Effects and spectacleDivisive65

Entertaining stunts and explosions; over-the-top but fun

DialogueDivisive65

Witty banter between leads works well; later seasons lose sharpness

CharactersDivisive60

Riggs written as complex and sympathetic; later Murtaugh and new partner seen as shallow

Plot and storyDivisive58

First two seasons praised for solid stories; third season loses coherence and tension

OriginalityDivisive45

A familiar buddy-cop formula but with a fresh take on Riggs' backstory

Ending30

Killing off Riggs felt disrespectful and ruined closure for most viewers

Preferred by

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Under-30s

Under-30s scored it 15 points higher than over-30s.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 4 points apart
  • Critics vs users 3 points apart
  • US vs non-US 2 points apart

Episodes

3 seasons

Season 3 · 2018 · 15 episodes · 6.9 average across 1 rated episode

  • S3E1

    In the Same Boat

    Sep 25, 201844 minTMDB rating 6.9
  • S3E2

    Need to Know

    Oct 2, 201844 min
  • S3E3

    A Whole Lotto Trouble

    Oct 9, 201844 min
  • S3E4

    Leo Getz Justice

    Oct 16, 201844 min
  • S3E5

    Get the Picture

    Oct 30, 201843 min
  • S3E6

    Panama

    Nov 6, 201842 min

Watch experience

What is Lethal Weapon like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, serious and intense — a relentless watch that leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
ThrillingAbsurdWarm
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Adventurous · 15% of showsWarmPlayful
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Case of the week plus an arcOne continuous story
ToneThe series plays its buddy-cop formula straight, balancing dramatic stakes with lighthearted banter.
The rideAction sequences and banter maintain a high-energy, tense mood, balanced by lighter, character-driven moments that span the series.
StructureStandard three-act structure per episode, with serialized threads across seasons.
Episode formatEach episode features a self-contained crime case, but character relationships and personal arcs (such as Riggs's PTSD and Murtaugh's family life) develop season-long threads.
Season formatThe seasons follow the same core characters and ongoing personal arcs, with storylines continuing across seasons rather than resetting.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
FunRousing · 9% of shows
Why it leaves you this wayThe show leaves you thrilled and grinning, carried by the chemistry of its leads.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterPredator
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18% (this title): Predator 7% (this title) · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Predator: A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).

18% of shows fit this archetype

with Rebirth underneath

Why this archetypeEach episode follows Riggs and Murtaugh hunting a dangerous criminal, while the series arc explores Riggs's personal healing from trauma.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfFriendship
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31% (this title): Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% (this title) · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% (this title) · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% (this title) · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Bonds

FriendshipTrauma · 5% of showsFamily bonds
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe series centers on the deepening friendship between Riggs and Murtaugh as they navigate their personal traumas and family lives while fighting crime.
StanceThe show celebrates the friendship between the two partners, presenting their bond as a source of strength and healing amidst the dangers of their job.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral modernRockSupportive music · original score
SettingLos Angeles Police Department and the city's criminal landscape
MusicThe score typically underscores action sequences with driving energy and amplifies emotional beats with a modern orchestral sound.

Content guide

Is Lethal Weapon okay for kids?

TV-14

Lethal Weapon is rated TV-14. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (71/100), sexual content at moderate (38/100), language at moderate (36/100), drug and alcohol content at intense (65/100) and frightening material at moderate (59/100). Overall it is heavier than 79% of TV-14 shows.

Ratings in 16 other countries
  • CanadaPG
  • AustraliaMA15+
  • Germany12
  • France10
  • Ireland15
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil14
  • Austria16
  • Denmark15
  • Hungary16
  • IndiaU
  • MexicoB-15
  • PortugalNR
  • Spain16
  • SwedenFrån 15 år
  • Switzerland16
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 62% of all showsHeavier than 79% of TV-14 shows
Violence & Gore
Intense
heavy for a TV-14 show
heavier than 82%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 50%
Profanity
Moderate
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 41%
Alcohol & Drugs
Intense
heavy for a TV-14 show
heavier than 92%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 68%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence and drug and alcohol content. Everything else sits at or below what TV-14 shows usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Lethal Weapon have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Lethal Weapon?

Cast

1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Damon Wayans
as Roger Murtaugh
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Keesha Sharp
as Trish Murtaugh
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Kevin Rahm
as Brooks Avery
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.
Michelle Mitchenor
as Sonya Bailey
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Johnathan Fernandez
as Bernard Scorsese
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Clayne Crawford
as Martin Riggs
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jordana Brewster
as Maureen Cahill
Chandler Kinney
as Riana Murtaugh
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Dante Brown
as Roger Murtaugh Jr.
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Seann William Scott
as Wesley Cole
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.

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