'Fifty Shades' movies ranked, and why the most recent film is the worst
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Fifty Shades of Grey' is set to release on Netflix on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan in pivotal roles, the film is based on the bestselling novel by EL James.
'Fifty Shades of Grey', which originally premiered in 2015, left a lasting impact on popular culture, sparking discussions about sexuality, relationships, and the portrayal of BDSM in mainstream media.
When the film was first released in 2015, it sparked widespread discussion among critics for its explicit content. However, the film was a box-office hit, which led to the arrival of two sequels.
The success of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' paved the way for the continuation of the story with 'Fifty Shades Darker' and 'Fifty Shades Freed.'
Ahead of the release of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' on Netflix, let's rank all the 'Fifty Shades' movies.
1. 'Fifty Shades of Grey' (2015)
The first film of the trilogy, 'Fifty Shades of Grey', was released on February 13, 2015. Despite its controversial theme and mature content, the film became a huge hit.
'Fifty Shades of Grey' is one of the highest-grossing R-rated movies of all time with a worldwide total of $569.7 million.
The film revolves around Anastasia 'Ana' Steele (Dakota Johnson), a reserved and inexperienced college graduate, who becomes entangled in a complicated relationship with Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan), a wealthy businessman who is passionate about BDSM.
After Ana interviews Christian for a campus paper, he becomes attracted to her. Despite her lack of sexual experience, Ana decides to pursue a relationship with Christian.
As their affair unfolds, Ana discovers that Christian's sexual preferences involve exploring the boundaries of pain and pleasure.
The film is adapted from E. L. James' 2011 novel of the same title. Overall, 'Fifty Shades of Grey' maintains a captivating pace that keeps viewers engaged throughout.
The film effectively integrates the erotic elements from the books, ensuring it remains compelling and faithful to its source material.
However, Christian's behavior in the film did not accurately portray healthy BDSM practices. Overall, among the three films in the 'Fifty Shades' series, 'Fifty Shades of Grey' stands out as the top performer in terms of box office success and cultural impact.
2. 'Fifty Shades Darker' (2017)
'Fifty Shades Darker' is the second installment in the 'Fifty Shades' film series. Released in 2017, this American erotic romantic drama film, directed by James Foley and written by Niall Leonard, further explores the relationship between Christian and Ana.
In 'Fifty Shades Darker', Christian begins experiencing nightmares after Ana leaves him. Determined to win her back, he embarks on a mission to reconcile with Ana and reignite their relationship.
He tries to persuade Ana to give their love another shot. After a tumultuous journey of ups and downs, Christian finally gathers the courage to propose to Ana, and she accepts.
Christian decides to change his sexual preferences for Ana, transitioning from BDSM to a more vanilla approach to pursue a more traditional relationship.
This film includes intimate scenes that aim to keep the story engaging. However, the acting performances by Dakota and Jamie are criticized for lacking sufficient emotion or depth.
Overall, 'Fifty Shades Darker' is the second-best film in the 'Fifty Shades' movie series. While it may not have surpassed the success of the first film, 'Fifty Shades Darker' remains a significant installment in the movie series.
3. 'Fifty Shades Freed' (2018)
'Fifty Shades Freed,' directed by James Foley, follows the newly married couple Ana and Christian as they embark on their new life together.
It is considered the worst film in the 'Fifty Shades' series. Christian is depicted as fully embracing a villainous role, using his sexual relationship with Ana as a form of revenge.
It is the most boring film in the entire franchise. The introduction of numerous new characters from Christian's past felt unnecessary and did little to enhance the story.
The movie should have had a stronger storyline. Instead, it seemed to rely heavily on adding more explicit sex scenes. Additionally, the dialogue is often cringe-worthy, failing to capture the emotional depth.
Overall, 'Fifty Shades Freed' falls flat as the conclusion to the trilogy, providing little beyond a series of repetitive and excessive sex scenes.
How to stream 'Fifty Shades of Grey'?
'Fifty Shades of Grey' will be available for streaming on Netflix from Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
The standard plan with ads is available starting from $6.99/month. This plan allows subscribers to access Netflix's vast library of content.
For those who prefer an uninterrupted viewing experience, the standard plan without ads is priced at $15.49/month.
The Premium plan, priced at $22.99/month, provides additional features and benefits, including access to content in Ultra HD resolution and the ability to stream on multiple devices simultaneously.
'Fifty Shades of Grey' trailer