Top 10 Best Fourth Installments in Movie Franchises

Top 10 Best Fourth Instalments in Movie Franchises

If they say third time’s the charm, what would they say about the fourth? These films answer that question. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 best fourth instalments in movie franchises.

For this list, we’re taking a look at feature films that are the fourth in line in a series. Just because the number 4 might be in the title doesn’t mean it’ll necessarily be eligible, for example, “Star Wars Episode IV” doesn’t count because it was technically the first movie released. Time has no bearing on this list - as long as it’s the fourth in the series, it’s all good with us.

#10: “Lethal Weapon 4” (1998)

The buddy cop movie series to stand the test of time adds another notch to its belt when Riggs and Murtaugh go head to head with Jet Li in the final instalment of this police detective series. At a time when high-octane action movies were starting to go the way of the dodo, Mel Gibson and Danny Glover still produced one of the year’s top 10 highest grossers with their 1998 hit. Against box office disaster movies like “Armageddon” and “Godzilla,” this fourth entry stood out as a classic eighties-inspired movie for the nineties.

#9: “Rambo” (2008)

Speaking of returns, it’s time we heard about what John Rambo’s been up to. Well, he’s back to his old hobbies of rescuing missionaries and beating down brutal military regimes with explosive force in this fourth instalment of the film series. After the success of “Rocky”’s return, Sylvester Stallone decided to reprise the role of John Rambo to fight against the baddies in Burma. Adding new realistic violence to the series, this new entry was also banned by the Burmese government.

#8: “The Return of the Pink Panther” (1975)

Not banned in any countries is Peter Sellers return to the role of Inspector Clouseau for the first time since 1964. On a private mission to return the Pink Panther diamond, Clouseau only has the Phantom’s trademark glove to go from. The Inspector dons many guises as he investigates Charles Lytton and his wife Claudine while engaging in misadventures and troublesome tandems in his investigation. Keeping the slapstick coming, “The Return of the Pink Panther” is an excellent comedy watch.

#7: “Live Free or Die Hard” (2007)

Another action hero returning for another hurrah is Bruce Willis as John McClane in what’s known as “Die Hard 4.0” outside of North America. Going from saving buildings to airports, McClane is on a mission to stop financial terrorists from breaking the stock market. This time around, the action flick was based on the 1997 article “A Farewell to Arms” by John Carlin, with production on the film being delayed for years due to the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Despite the delay, when the former NYPD officer returned to the silver screen, he certainly did not fail to deliver.

#6: “Thunderball” (1965)

Fifty years before the 2015 film, SPECTRE was causing a good fiasco in Bond’s fourth ever film adaptation. With the help of two stolen atomic bombs, SPECTRE holds the world ransom for £100 million in diamonds, wanted in exchange for their not destroying a random English or American city. Upon initial release, “Thunderball” garnered huge praise and was even credited with reigniting the excitement of cinema. You could almost say the film exploded onto our screens… get it? OK, we’ll stop.

#5: “Jurassic World” (2015)

The highly anticipated fourth installment to the “Jurassic Park” franchise opened in theaters almost 14 years after the third entry of the sci-fi adventure series headed to the big screen. Featuring a mostly new cast, including rising star Chris Pratt as the male lead and Velociraptor extraordinaire, “Jurassic World” made history in June 2015; not only did it set the record for biggest opening weekend in both North America and internationally but it earned $500 million during that weekend alone! Following the adventures of our heroes as a brand new genetically modified dino escapes and causes mayhem in the titular theme park, this is one visually stunning, energetic and well-shot sequel.

#4: “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” (1986)

The clever and philosophical sci-fi series responsible for many influential cultural milestones can now be considered part of the time travel genre thanks to this film. Finishing the story arc set up in “The Wrath of Khan”, in “The Voyage Home,” the Enterprise crew begins their journey to Earth, but not before discovering a dangerous alien probe that desires to communicate with now-extinct humpback whales. Travelling back in time to find such whales before their extinction, you’d expect this to be the real ‘jump the shark’ entry, right? Well, the film is praised for adding a new layer of comedy to the series and before the 21st century reboots, it was the highest grossing “Star Trek” film ever.

#3: “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” (2005)

The fourth entry into the wizarding franchise also took Potter and his pals in a new direction. Competing in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, Harry battles more than just his standard deathly wizarding challenges, as here, he and his friends also start facing adulthood. Turning the dial up on drama both emotionally and physically as Voldemort finally makes his triumphant and horrifying return to human form, “The Goblet of Fire” splendidly kicks off the darker second half of the “Harry Potter” franchise.

#2: “Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol” (2011)

Simple question: do you remember the previous three films in the series? Yeah, we barely do either, because “Ghost Protocol” just blows them all out of the water. Directed by Brad Bird who’s best known for animated works, the formerly known ‘Bond Clone’ takes a huge leap into establishing itself as a big and defined action franchise of its own with entry #4. No longer clinging to the catchiness of its theme song, “Ghost Protocol” adds new character and life to the series. It’s not only one of the best fourth instalments in a franchise, it’s one of the best at reigniting one too.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

“The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992)


“SCRE4M” (2011)

“Shrek Forever After” (2010)


“Sudden Impact” (1983)


“The Bourne Legacy” (2012)

“Land of the Dead” (2005)

#1: “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015)

Did anyone see the successful revival of this 35-year-plus franchise coming? And does it really matter? With Tom Hardy taking over the role originated by Mel Gibson in the first three “Mad Max” films, “Fury Road” sees George Miller once again taking the reins as director and co-writer, as well as co-producer. The story follows our titular protagonist as he joins forces with Imperator Furiosa in a battle for freedom against a tyrannical ruler during post-apocalyptic times. Not even halfway through 2015 and already hailed as one of the year’s best action flicks, the sci-fi action movie earned 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and has been seen as on par with “Mad Max 2,” which was previously considered the best in the series.

Do you agree with our list? Which fourth film of a franchise is your favorite? For more exciting top tens published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.