History Film / LethalWeapon

There was also [[Series/LethalWeapon2016 a television series]] that aired from 2016 to 2019 on Creator/{{Fox}} starring Creator/DamonWayans and Clayne Crawford in the respective roles of Murtaugh and Riggs.

* CoolGuns:
** Riggs uses a Beretta 92FS, upgraded with a laser pointer in the fourth film. Its depiction in that film, along with ''Film/DieHard'', is credited for further popularizing the firearm.
** Murtaugh carries a Smith & Wesson Model 19.

* KnightOfCerebus: While the films are comedies, the villains are often taken very seriously, especially [[Film/LethalWeapon1987 Mcallister]], [[Film/LethalWeapon2 Vorstedt]], and [[Film/LethalWeapon4 Wah Sing Ku]].

* EvenEvilHasStandards: Tyrone is shocked and visibly uncomfortable when Jack tries to make him watch as he has his men bury Smitty alive in cement.

A fifth film has long been in DevelopmentHell. It appears to be moving forward despite the passing of Richard Donner in 2021, with Mel Gibson attached to both direct and reprise the role of Riggs. It will be set for release on Creator/{{Max}} with no theatrical release.

* SaltAndPepper: Subverted. The by-the-book (and black) Roger Murtaugh is nearing retirement from the police force, while new partner Martin Riggs is the eponymous lethal weapon.

->'''Riggs:''' Hey, that's no fair. The building guy lived.

A fifth film has long been in DevelopmentHell. It appears to be moving forward despite the passing of Richard Donner in 2021, with Mel Gibson attached to both direct and reprise the role of Riggs.

* PlayingGertrude: Murtaugh's comments to Riggs in earlier movies suggest he's at least 16 years older than Riggs, possibly 20 or more. He's clearly stated to have just celebrated his 50th birthday in the first movie when Danny Glover was only 43 and only 10 years Mel Gibson's senior.

* CompleteMonster: [[YMMV/LethalWeapon2 Arjen Rudd, Pieter Vorstedt]], and [[YMMV/LethalWeapon2016 Gideon Lyon]]. See those pages for details.

* TheyFightCrime: Murtaugh is a by-the-book cop and a family man who's concerned about his age. Riggs is a crazy son of a gun who's been suicidal since the death of his wife. They Fight Crime!

* CrusadingWidower: Riggs is reasonably heroic, but he's also suicidal and is considered crazy by everyone who knows him. He slowly becomes less unhinged as he opens up to his partner Murtagh.

There was also [[Series/LethalWeapon2016 a television series]] that aired from 2016 to 2019 on Creator/{{Fox}} starring [[Creator/TheWayansFamily Damon Wayans]] and Clayne Crawford in the respective roles of Murtaugh and Riggs.

** Immediately afterwards, Murtaugh, furious with Riggs, drags Riggs into a nearby building and they being arguing. Murtaugh thinks Riggs is suicidal and is a danger to himself and others. Murtaugh tells Riggs [[GetItOverWith to just kill himself already]]. Riggs actually pulls out his gun and points it at his head, screaming at Murtaugh that he'll do it. Murtaugh one-ups this and yells ''back'', telling him to ''go ahead and do it'', since it'd be doing him a favor. Ultimately, Murtaugh is horrified when Riggs almost goes through with it. He assumed he was bluffing.

* OohMeAccentsSlipping: Creator/MelGibson has this problem with his Australian accent, especially in the earlier films. Note the "gold pen" speech in the second film for an example.

Later, Murtaugh asks if they go "on three" or "three then go" to Riggs during the toilet bomb scene