Blade: Trinity (2004)
MovieOptionalLegacy
Framed for murder and hunted by the FBI, Blade joins the Nightstalkers (Hannibal King and Abigail Whistler) to stop Dracula's plan to blot out the sun. This 2004 Marvel film was made outside Marvel Studios’ main MCU line-up, so it’s optional for the watch order and works fine on its own. At 1h 53m, it is rent or buy only in the US right now.
| Directed by | David S. Goyer |
|---|---|
| Starring | Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Jessica Biel, Ryan Reynolds |
| Release date | December 8, 2004 |
| Runtime | 1h 53m |
| Age rating | R, ages 17+ unless accompanied |
| IMDb rating | 5.8/10 |
| Box office | $129M worldwide |
| Series | Legacy Marvel films |
| Part of | Blade movies in order |
| Post-credit scene | No |
Why it matters now
The trilogy's troubled finale, notable for introducing Ryan Reynolds' Hannibal King, the wisecracking role that foreshadowed his Deadpool destiny.
About Blade: Trinity
Blade: Trinity is the third and final film in New Line's original Blade trilogy, following Blade II (2002). A group of vampires led by Danica Talos raids a tomb in the Syrian desert to wake Drake, the first vampire, whom humans remember as Dracula. To keep Blade out of the way, they set him up for a killing, which brings the FBI down on his hideout. Once he is rescued, Blade has to work with a younger, chattier crew of hunters while the vampires try to use Drake to fix their weaknesses for good.
David S. Goyer, who wrote all three Blade films, directed this one after Oliver Hirschbiegel left the project. Wesley Snipes returns as Blade, with Ryan Reynolds as Hannibal King, Jessica Biel as Abigail Whistler, Dominic Purcell as Drake, Parker Posey as Danica, wrestler Triple H as Jarko Grimwood and Kris Kristofferson back as Whistler. The shoot was famously tense, and Snipes later sued Goyer and New Line. The film runs 113 minutes and earned about $132 million worldwide on a $65 million budget, but it is the worst-reviewed of the trilogy, at 24% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Good to know
- Jessica Biel plays Whistler's daughter Abigail, and the film brings the comics' Nightstalkers to the screen.
- Triple H was a producer suggestion; Goyer was unsure at first but liked his comic timing enough to expand the role.
- The film's fictional city uses Esperanto on its signs, including the Esperanto flag.
- Snipes sued New Line Cinema and Goyer in 2005, claiming he was shut out of decisions and his screen time was cut.
Spoiler Spoilers for Blade: Trinity: tap to reveal
- The FBI raid on Blade's hideout costs him his mentor, Abraham Whistler.
- Ryan Reynolds played the wisecracking Hannibal King here years before Deadpool, and the two finally shared the screen in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), where Snipes returned as Blade.
How to watch it
Watch Blade (1998) and Blade II first, since this picks up with Blade's long war and his bond with Whistler. It plays more like an action comedy than the first two, largely thanks to Reynolds, so expect jokes alongside the swordplay. It's also a fun stop for Deadpool fans curious about Reynolds' earlier Marvel role.
Where it fits in your watch
- All legacy Marvel films
Blade: Trinity FAQ
Is Ryan Reynolds in Blade: Trinity?
Yes. Reynolds plays Hannibal King, a former vampire turned hunter and member of the Nightstalkers. It was one of his first comic book roles, well before he played Deadpool.
Is Blade: Trinity the last Blade movie?
It was the last film in the original trilogy and the last Blade film to star Wesley Snipes in the lead.
Who plays Dracula in Blade: Trinity?
Dominic Purcell plays Drake, the film's version of Dracula, who is the first vampire.
Can you skip Blade: Trinity?
Yes, skip it if you like. It’s a Marvel title, but not part of the MCU timeline.
When was Blade: Trinity released?
Blade: Trinity was released on December 8, 2004.
Is Blade: Trinity part of the MCU?
No. Blade: Trinity is a Marvel film made outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so it isn’t on Marvel Studios’ official timeline.
Does Blade: Trinity have a post-credit scene?
No, Blade: Trinity has no post-credit scene.
Where to watch Blade: Trinity in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Not currently on a US subscription service |
|---|---|
| Rent or buy | Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
Where to watch Blade: Trinity outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not included | Rent: Apple TV, Rakuten TV, Amazon |
| Canada | Not included | Free: Tubi · Rent: Apple TV, Amazon |
| Australia | Netflix | Rent: Apple TV, Amazon, Fetch TV |
| India | Not included | Rent: Amazon |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
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