The 8 best fourth films in movie franchises

Everyone likes to talk about trilogies but the fourth movies in Hollywood franchises can be just as good, and sometimes better than their predecessor counterparts.

Most franchises like The Godfather, The Dark Knight Series and The Matrix round off their story with a nice even trilogy. Only a select group of film industry giants have cranked out more than three films, and usually for good reason. No doubt a fourth entry pushes the limits on what you can do creatively; most franchises are running on fumes by this point. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace was disappointing, Ice Age: Continental Drift was basically a cash-grab, and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace has flaws that are insuperable to overlook.

With so many gratuitous fourth entries that have lost their way it’s a breath of fresh air when a franchise is still able to come up with something meritorious and original. In that spirit, here are the 8 best fourth films in movie franchises.

8. Rocky IV

While not as good as the third entry, which featured a fantastic Mr. T as Clubber Lang, the fourth movie in the Rocky franchise is still a whole lot of fun. You can guess pretty much the movie’s entire plot before it even starts, but Rocky IV is still a guilty pleasure you might not want to admit to. The titular boxer ends up fighting against Russian behemoth Drago after he kills Rocky’s best friend and former rival, Apollo Creed, in the ring. Unlike the first installment, this movie doesn’t have any underlying tones about going the distance. Instead it puts all of its eggs in the basket that the audience will strongly identify with the movie’s only message: revenge. Rocky wants to settle the score between himself and Drago, and so does the audience. Because of its relatable themes Rocky IV, while not the best, is a solid entry in the canon.

7. Thunderball

The fourth film in the James Bond franchise is often overlooked, probably because it follows Goldfinger which is widely regarded as the best in the series. Thunderball isn’t a bad piece of filmmaking. It has Sean Connery right at the peak of his Bond charisma and features exotic locations, longwinded action scenes, and beautiful actresses; every ingredient needed to make a successful Bond flick. With this in mind, the movie does tend to get bogged down with its endless underwater fights. At the time filming underwater was a new medium, and this movie did underwater fights and chases to the point of implausibility. Still, Thunderball is a compelling 007 outing even if it doesn’t quite meet Goldfinger expectations.

6. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Following the success of The Prisoner of Azakaban the Harry Potter franchise struck gold again with this 2005 sequel. In this installment everyone’s favorite teenage wizard is swept up into a dangerous tournament between rival witchcraft schools. The movie has Harry battle dragons, fight rival wizards, and finally come face to face with the series’ main villain, Voldemort. Directed by Max Newell, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is one of the most well received sequels in the franchise, creating a perfect blend of suspense, laughs and action.

5. Rambo

Another fourth entry featuring action icon Sylvester Stallone. What can I say, Sly Stallone knows his sequels. This balls-to-the-wall action extravaganza features Rambo, a character first popularized in the 1980’s movie First Blood. Rambo is a disheartened Vietnam vet who, after recovering from a major freak-out, destroys threats against America usually by way of huge machine guns and explosive arrows. This sequel sees Rambo join forces with mercenaries to enter war infested Burma to rescue Peace Corps workers. Ultra-violent and ultra-gory, Rambo offers enough explosions, gunfights and throat ripping to please any action junkie.

4. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

When this fourth installment was released in 2011, many doubted whether the Mission Impossible franchise could still turn a profit. The third movie made in 2006 didn’t meet with much critical and box-office success, and Tom Cruise was being questioned if he was still young enough to be considered an action star. Fortunately Ghost Protocol came along and silenced all the negative predictions. The movie, directed by Brad Bird, is one the franchise’s strongest entries, second only to the Brian De Palma original. Bombastic stunts, a solid script and a great ensemble cast breathed new life into the Mission Impossible legacy, spawning another sequel in 2015 with another on its way.

3. Sudden Impact

“Go ahead, make my day.” One of the most quotable and badass lines in movie history comes from the fourth installment in the Dirty Harry series. This episode has San Francisco cop “Dirty” Harry Callahan assigned to track down a rape victim who is hunting down her past attackers and killing them off one by one. The movie boasts some pretty incredible gunfights, not to mention some extraordinarily well choreographed car chases to boot. While the script is rather lacking at times the direction by Clint Eastwood himself is superb. Never containing a dull moment, Sudden Impact is one of the more enjoyable entries in the Clint Eastwood franchise.

2. Lethal Weapon 4

Cliché? Perhaps. A whole bunch of fun? You betcha’. Officers Riggs and Murtaugh are at it again, this time trying to take down a Chinese slavery ring. The Lethal Weapon movies were always a vehicle to feature the buddy-buddy shenanigans of Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, and this one is no different. That doesn’t hinder the movie however, quite the opposite. It’s a blast to watch Gibson and Glover pal around and the movie is aware it’s the main ingredient to its success. Throw in Joe Pesci, Chris Rock, over-the-top action sequences, crackling dialog, and Jet Li as one fantastic villain, and you have a recipe for a great fourth entry in the Lethal Weapon franchise.

1. Mad Max: Fury Road

Quite possibly the best fourth entry in any long running Hollywood series. George Miller’s post-apocalyptic masterpiece is an action movie of mammoth proportions. Fury Road has Tom Hardy as the mysterious Mad Max, an anti-hero who wanders from wasteland to wasteland getting mixed up in various dangerous situations. In this installment Max is forced to help a warrior named Furiosa try and find her homeland while transporting former female prisoners. The stunts are insane, the set production is gorgeous, the costumes are beautifully eclectic, and the direction is flawless. Mad Max: Fury Road is not only one of the best fourth movies, but one of the best action films of the last 10 years.

COMMENTS

Please read our Commenting Policy before you join in with the discussion.

Note: If you have email notifications enabled, please check your email spam folders to ensure emails are not missed.

1 Comment

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

paidimartinez

4 years ago

Rocky IV and Rambo = YES!!!!!

Cookie	Description
_pxvid	This cookie is used for detection of the browser and distinguishing whether it is a real user or malicious bot.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	This cookies is set by GDPR Cookie Consent WordPress Plugin. The cookie is used to remember the user consent for the cookies under the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-non-necessary	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Non Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	This cookie is used to keep track of which cookies the user have approved for this site.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-preferences	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Preferences".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-uncategorized	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Uncategorized".
CraftSessionId	This cookie name is associated with the Craft web content management system, where is functions as an anonymous session identifier.
csrftoken	This cookie is associated with Django web development platform for python. Used to help protect the website against Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks
DSID	To note specific user identity. Contains hashed/encrypted unique ID.
JSESSIONID	Used by sites written in JSP. General purpose platform session cookies that are used to maintain users' state across page requests.
PHPSESSID	This cookie is native to PHP applications. The cookie is used to store and identify a users' unique session ID for the purpose of managing user session on the website. The cookie is a session cookies and is deleted when all the browser windows are closed.
viewed_cookie_policy	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Cookie	Description
b30msc
btc
CMST
cref
d
gpl
i
icts
ig_did
mdata
na_rn
na_sc_e
na_sr
na_srp
session_depth
visitor-id

Cookie	Description
__gads	This cookie is set by Google and stored under the name dounleclick.com. This cookie is used to track how many times users see a particular advert which helps in measuring the success of the campaign and calculate the revenue generated by the campaign. These cookies can only be read from the domain that it is set on so it will not track any data while browsing through another sites.
__stid	The cookie is set by ShareThis. The cookie is used for site analytics to determine the pages visited, the amount of time spent, etc.
_ga	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, camapign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assigns a randoly generated number to identify unique visitors.
_gat_gtag_UA_60765351_1	Google uses this cookie to distinguish users.
_gid	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the wbsite is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages viisted in an anonymous form.
ad-id	Provided by amazon-adsystem.com for tracking user actions on other websites to provide targeted content
demdex	This cookie is set under the domain demdex.net and is used by Adobe Audience Manager to help identify a unique visitor across domains.
DigiTrust.v1.identity	Registers data on visitors’ website-behaviour. This is used for internal analysis and website optimization.
dmvk	This cookie is set by DailyMotion who display videos, it registers statistical data of visitors' behaviour on the website.
gid	This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the wbsite is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages viisted in an anonymous form.
GPS	This cookie is set by Youtube and registers a unique ID for tracking users based on their geographical location
is_unique	This cookie is set by StatCounter to determine how people are using the website
is_visitor_unique	This cookie is set by StatCounter to determine how people are using the website
sc_is_visitor_unique	This cookie is set by StatCounter to determine how people are using the website
v1st	This is set by DailyMotion to display videos.

Cookie	Description
__asc	This cookie is used to collect information on consumer behavior, which is sent to Alexa Analytics.
__auc	This cookie is used to collect information on consumer behavior, which is sent to Alexa Analytics.
__qca	This cookie is associated with Quantcast and is used for collecting anonymized data to analyze log data from different websites to create reports that enables the website owners and advertisers provide ads for the appropriate audience segments.
_cc_aud	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_cc_cc	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_cc_dc	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_cc_id	The cookie is set by crwdcntrl.net. The purpose of the cookie is to collect statistical information in an anonymous form about the visitors of the website. The data collected include number of visits, average time spent on the website, and the what pages have been loaded. These data are then used to segment audiences based on the geographical location, demographic, and user interest provide relevant content and for advertisers for targeted advertising.
_kuid_	The cookie is set by Krux Digital under the domain krxd.net. The cookie stores a unique ID to identify a returning user for the purpose of targeted advertising.
_px2	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
_pxff_tm	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
_pxhd	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
ab	This cookie is generally provided by agkn.com and is used for advertising purposes.
ad-privacy	Provided by amazon-adsystem.com for tracking user actions on other websites to provide targeted content to the users.
ayl_visitor	This cookie registers data on the visitor. The information is used to optimize advertisement relevance.
bafp	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bafp_t	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_pl	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_rf_8b2087b102c9e3e5ffed1c1478ed8b78	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_rt_8b2087b102c9e3e5ffed1c1478ed8b78	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_t_8b2087b102c9e3e5ffed1c1478ed8b78	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bfp_sn_td_2d31c94105a0aa6d1ceaea0c86c6b656	This cookie is from Media.net and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
bito	This cookie is generally provided by bidr.io and is used for advertising purposes.
bitoIsSecure	This cookies are generally provided by bidr.io and is used for advertising purposes.
bsc	The cookies is set by ownerIQ for the purpose of providing relevant advertisement
CMID	This cookie is linked to advertising and tracking the products users were looking at.
CMPRO	This cookie is linked to advertising and tracking the products users were looking at.
CMPS	This cookie is linked to advertising and tracking the products users were looking at.
dc_id	This cookie is used to deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement as well as help measure the effectiveness of the advertising campaign. They are usually placed by advertising networks with the website operator's permission. They remember that you have visited a website and this information is shared with other organisations such as advertisers.
did	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
didts	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
dpm	The cookie is set by demdex.net. This cookie assigns a unique ID to each visiting user that allows third-party advertisers target that users with relevant ads.
eud	This cookie is from Rocket Fuel and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
euds	This cookie is from Rocket Fuel and is used to deliver targeted advertising across their network sites ensuring users see relevant advertising.
everest_g_v2	The cookie is set under eversttech.net domain. The purpose of the cookie is to map clicks to other events on the client's website.
evo5_popin_instance	Prevents an interaction from reoccurring for visitors not accepting 3rd party cookies.
id	This cookie is set by DoubleClick (which is owned by Google) to build a profile of the website visitor's interests and show relevant ads on other sites.
IDE	Used by Google DoubleClick and stores information about how the user uses the website and any other advertisement before visiting the website. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile.
io.narrative.guid.v2	This cookie is generally provided by io.narrative.io and is used for advertising purposes.
KADUSERCOOKIE	This cookie is generally provided by pubmatic.com and is used for advertising purposes.
KTPCACOOKIE	This cookie is generally provided by pubmatic.com and is used for advertising purposes.
matchliveramp	This cookie is provided by w55c.net and is used for advertising purposes.
mc	This cookie is associated with Quantserve to track anonymously how a user interact with the website.
mxpim	This cookie is generally provided by mxptint.net for advertising purposes.
na_tc	This is a Social Media sharing tracking cookie.
NID	This cookie is used to a profile based on user's interest and display personalized ads to the users.
nnls	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
pxrc	The purpose of the cookie is to identify a visitor to serve relevant advertisement.
pxvid	This cookie is set by PerimeterX who provide security analyst oversight.
rlas3	The cookie is set by rlcdn.com. The cookie is used to serve relevant ads to the visitor as well as limit the time the visitor sees an and also measure the effectiveness of the campaign.

Cookie	Description
__jid	Cookies set on the website by the third-party commenting platform Disqus.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
disqus_unique	These cookies are set by Disqus so that users can comment on website/platform.
G_ENABLED_IDPS	The cookie is used by Google and is used for Google Single Sign On.
mid	The cookie is set by Instagram. The cookie is used to distinguish users and to show relevant content, for better user experience and security.
na_id	This cookie is set by Addthis.com to enable sharing of links on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter
ouid	The cookie is set by Addthis which enables the content of the website to be shared across different networking and social sharing websites.
ov	This is a generic functional cookie that provides enhanced functionality and personalisation.
ts	This cookie is generally provided by PayPal and supports payment services in the website.
vuid	These cookies are used by the Vimeo video player on websites.