The Final Destination series began on this day back in 2000

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

FINAL DESTINATION was released 17 years ago on this date, March 17th 2000. The film stars Devon Sawa, Ali Larter, Kerr Smith, and Tony Todd, and was directed by James Wong, with a screenplay by James Wong, Glen Morgan, and Jeffrey Reddick (based on a story by Reddick). 

FINAL DESTINATION began as a spec script written by Reddick for an episode of The X-Files before New Line Cinema persuaded him to make it a feature-length film. Wong and Morgan (both from The X-Files) then became interested in the script and agreed to rewrite and direct the film, making this Wong’s film directing debut.

Filming took place in New York City and Vancouver, with additional scenes filmed in Toronto and San Francisco. 

The film premiered on March 17, 2000, in 2,587 theaters, earning $10 million on its opening weekend. The film placed No. 3 that weekend behind ERIN f*cking BROCKOVICH and Brian DePalma’s MISSION TO MARS. The film was in theaters for 22 weekends, grossing $53.3 million domestic, and $59.5 in other countries for a worldwide gross of $112.8 million.

Not bad for a $23 million budget.

The film received mixed reviews from critics, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 34%. The site’s Critic Consencus reads: “Despite a panel of X-Files alums at the helm and a promising premise, flighty performances and poor execution keep Final Destination from ever taking off”.

You can read The Arrow’s review RIGHT HERE.

The film did however receive the Saturn Award for Best Horror Film and Best Performance by a Younger Actor for Devon Sawa, and of course the movie’s success brought us four sequels, as well as a series of novels and comic books.