10 Best Buddy Cop Action Movies Like The Bad Boys Franchise

Summary

• Unforgettable chemistry between Smith and Lawrence shines in the latest Bad Boys movie, creating laugh-out-loud moments and stunning action scenes.
• Humor remains a highlight in buddy cop films, with the genre evolving to become some of the most crowd-pleasing franchises ever made.
• Films like Rush Hour, Lethal Weapon, and 21 Jump Street offer iconic buddy cop duos and entertaining action comedy for fans of the genre.

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There are several other great buddy cop movies like the Bad Boys franchise. Following the successful release of Bad Boys: Ride or Die on June 7, 2024, which has earned more than $136 million and counting so far at the worldwide box office, the Bad Boys franchise has collectively earned more than $1 billion. The Rotten Tomatoes audience score for Bad Boys: Ride or Die is the highest among its franchise, even though critics have rated 2020’s Bad Boys for Life higher than the most recent installment. Bad Boys: Ride or Die reunites Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as the dynamic buddy cop duo of Mike Lowry and Marcus Burnett nearly three decades after the 1995 original was released.

The biggest takeaways from the reviews for Bad Boys: Ride or Die celebrate the exceptional chemistry between Smith and Lawrence as well as the laugh-out-loud hilarious moments and outstanding action sequences seen in the film. At the core of any Bad Boys movie, and most successful buddy cop films, is the humor, which is definitely one the strongest points of the latest Bad Boys film. Legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s 1949 film Stray Dog, starring Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura, is considered one of the precursors to the classic buddy cop movie. The beloved subgenre has evolved into becoming some of the most crowd-pleasing and enjoyable movie franchises ever made.

10 Rush Hour

1998

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Rush Hour
PG-13
Action
Adventure
Comedy

Rush Hour is an action/adventure comedy that stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. When the F.B.I. becomes agitated over dedicated Hong Kong Inspector (Lee) being sent to Los Angeles to rescue the Chinese Consul’s kidnapped daughter, he is forced to team up with a reckless and loudmouthed L.A.P.D.detective (Tucker) to keep him front interfering. Despite the differences between the two, they’ll put them aside to prove themselves and save the girl while finding themselves caught in a notorious crime lord’s crosshairs. 

Director Brett Ratner Release Date September 18, 1998 Studio(s) New Line Cinema Distributor(s) New Line Cinema Writers Ross LaManna , Jim Kouf Cast Ken Leung , Chris Tucker , Tzi Ma , Tom Wilkinson , Jackie Chan , Mark Rolston , Rex Linn , Elizabeth Peña Runtime 98 minutes Franchise(s) Rush Hour Sequel(s) Rush Hour 3 Budget $35 million

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When most people think about classic buddy cop comedies, Rush Hour will be at the top of their lists. The celebrated 1998 action-comedy starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker created a highly popular and profitable trilogy that collectively grossed just under $850 million at the worldwide box office. The original movie received a Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 68% alongside a more favorable audience score of 78%. It is considered the best movie of the classic buddy cop trilogy, whereas the other two installments have Rotten Tomatoes critic scores of 50% and 17%, respectively. The unforgettable comedic chemistry between Tucker and Chan created what is arguably both actors’ most popular movies. Although Jackie Chan has recently confirmed the development of Rush Hour 4, there has been no official release date set for the production.

9 Hot Fuzz

2007

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Hot Fuzz
R
Action
Comedy
Mystery
Thriller

The second film in Edgar Wright’s Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, Hot Fuzz stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as two policemen who investigate a seemingly idyllic community in the English countryside. After London hotshot policeman Nicholas Angel is transferred to the sleepy town of Sandford, he finds himself partnered with bumbling local officer Danny Butterman (Nick Frost). However, the pair soon discover that Sandford is not all it appears to be, uncovering shocking secrets that will shake the town to its very core.

Director Edgar Wright Release Date February 14, 2007 Studio(s) Paramount Pictures , Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures , Universal Pictures , Focus Features Writers Edgar Wright , Simon Pegg Cast Simon Pegg , Martin Freeman , Bill Nighy , Robert Popper , Joe Cornish , Chris Waitt Runtime 121 minutes Budget $16 million

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Similar to Rush Hour, Hot Fuzz is another celebrated buddy cop action comedy but the original film did not spurn a franchise. Directed by Edgar Wright of Shaun of the Dead and Baby Driver acclaim, Hot Fuzz features the hilarious duo of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost and two London-based police officers. Pegg also co-wrote the screenplay along with Wright. Although Hot Fuzz does not have a direct sequel, it is part of the “Three Flavours Cornetto” or the “Blood and Ice Cream” trilogy, which also consists of Shaun of the Dead (2004) and The World’s End (2013), both of which were also directed by Wright and co-written by Wright and Pegg. Hot Fuzz is one of the most beloved and crowd-pleasing buddy cop action comedies ever made and is a must-watch for fans of the Bad Boys franchise.

8 Lethal Weapon

1987

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Lethal Weapon
R
Crime
Action
Thriller

The film that started the iconic action franchise of the same name, Lethal Weapon stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as Detective Riggs and Murtaugh, two LAPD detectives on the trail of a high-profile drug ring. After the death of his wife, Riggs (Gibson) is increasingly volatile, but partnering with the level-headed veteran detective Murtaugh puts the two cops on the path to uncovering a huge criminal conspiracy.

Director Richard Donner Release Date March 6, 1987 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Shane Black Cast Tom Atkins , Mitchell Ryan , Danny Glover , Mel Gibson , Gary Busey Runtime 109 minutes Sequel(s) Lethal Weapon 2 , Lethal Weapon 4 , Lethal Weapon 5 Budget $15 million

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Lethal Weapon is arguably the most iconic buddy cop franchise of all time. Featuring the legendary pairing of Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as Los Angeles police officers with opposite approaches to their professions, Lethal Weapon has inspired three sequels and a critically acclaimed television series that ran for three seasons from 2016 to 2019. Gibson confirmed an upcoming fifth Lethal Weapon movie called Lethal Finale in 2021, which is still currently in development and is set to be directed by Gibson. Richard Donner had directed the first four Lethal Weapon movies and was in talks to direct Lethal Finale before his death in 2021 at the age of 91. The first two Lethal Weapon movies featured screenplays written by Shane Black, who would go on to direct Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), Iron Man 3 (2013), and another buddy cop hit, The Nice Guys (2016).

7 Cop Out

2010

Cop Out
pg-13
Action
Comedy
Crime

Cop Out is a comedic buddy-cop action movie that follows Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan as Jimmy and Paul, two NYPD detectives trying to find a priceless mint-conditioned baseball card. When Jimmy needs $50,000 to pay for his daughter’s upcoming wedding, he heads to a pawnshop to sell his baseball card, only for the shop to be robbed. Now with his distracted partner currently focused on the fact his wife may be cheating on him, the two will engage in a game of cat and mouse across the city to get the card back.

Director Kevin Smith Release Date February 26, 2010 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Robb Cullen , Mark Cullen Cast Bruce Willis , Tracy Morgan , Juan Carlos Hernández , Cory Fernandez , Ana de la Reguera , Jason Hurt Runtime 107minutes Budget $30 million

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Cop Out is a one-of-a-kind buddy cop movie featuring the unlikely pairing of action star Bruce Willis and comedic legend Tracy Morgan. Although the film received mostly negative reviews from critics, earning a score of just 18% on Rotten Tomatoes, Cop Out is still full of laughs and is more appreciated by casual viewers. Even the premise of Cop Out is hilarious: After Jimmy (Willis) gets a rare baseball card stolen, which he needs to sell in order to pay for his daughter’s wedding, he enlists the help of his cop partner Paul (Morgan) to track down the robber. The film is directed by one of the pioneers of modern independent cinema, Kevin Smith, who is best known for his cult classic films such as Clerks (1994), Chasing Amy (1997), and Dogma (1999).

6 2 Guns

2013

2 Guns
R
Thriller
Action
Comedy

2 Guns centers on two criminals, Bobby and Stig, who run into danger at the US border after dealing with a Mexican drug lord. Unbeknownst to the other, both are actually undercover agents on a mission. The buddy cop film stars two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg.

Director Baltasar Kormakur Release Date August 2, 2013 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Blake Masters , Steven Grant Cast Denzel Washington , Mark Wahlberg , Paula Patton , Bill Paxton , Edward James Olmos , Robert John Burke , James Marsden , Greg Sproles Runtime 109 Minutes Budget $61 million Main Genre Thriller

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2 Guns features another iconic duo in the buddy cop genre, Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington. The 2013 action comedy became somewhat of a surprise box office hit, earning roughly $132 million against a budget of $61 million. As expected, the onscreen combination of Wahlberg and Washington proved to be a winning duo. Most critics gave the film a positive review, resulting in a critic score of 64% on Rotten Tomatoes. What’s more, 2 Guns has much more to offer from its ensemble cast than its two leading stars alone, featuring performances from Bill Paxton, Edward James Olmos, Paula Patton, and James Marsden. Like Bad Boys, 2 Guns knows its audience and doesn’t try to overcomplicate its plot, delivering plenty of hard-hitting punchlines along with its fun action scenes.

5 The Nice Guys

2016

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The Nice Guys
R
Mystery
Thriller
Crime

Directed by Shane Black and starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling, The Nice Guys tells the story of a private investigator and a hired enforcer who team up to investigate the disappearance of a young woman. Set in 1970s Los Angeles, the 2016 comedy thriller puts a modern spin on the noir genre.

Director Shane Black Release Date May 20, 2016 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Anthony Bagarozzi , Shane Black Cast Ryan Gosling , Ty Simpkins , Rachele Brooke Smith , Russell Crowe , Yaya DaCosta , Margaret Qualley , Kim Basinger , Keith David , Matt Bomer , Yvonne Zima Runtime 116minutes Budget $50 million

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Speaking of Shane Black, The Nice Guys is certainly up there for being one of the best original buddy cop movies of the 2010s. Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling shine as Jackson Healy and Holland March, a mismatched pair of private investigators set in 1970s Los Angeles. The Nice Guys was one of the first action comedy movies of Gosling’s career, showcasing his versatility outside of being a dramatic actor alone eventually led to him starring in 2024’s The Fall Guy. The Nice Guys was highly praised by critics, earning an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 91%. Unfortunately, similar to the box office fate of The Fall Guy, The Nice Guys ended up being a box office dud, generating just $62 million against a budget of $50 million despite its outstanding critical reception.

4 21 Jump Street

2012

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21 Jump Street
R
Action
Comedy
Crime

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An adaptation of the TV series of the same name, 21 Jump Street stars Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill as two police officers (and best friends) who are sent into a high school undercover in order to bust a drug ring. Learning that high school has changed considerably since they were teenagers, the pair are forced to adapt in order to maintain their cover, threatening their friendship in the process.

Director Phil Lord , Christopher Miller Release Date March 14, 2012 Writers Michael Bacall Cast Jonah Hill , Channing Tatum , Brie Larson , Dave Franco , Rob Riggle , DeRay Davis Runtime 109 minutes Franchise(s) 21 Jump Street Sequel(s) 22 Jump Street Budget $42 million

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Besides being one of Johnny Depp’s earliest television credits, 21 Jump Street is also a celebrated 2012 buddy cop comedy starring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. The film was a box office hit, earning $201 million worldwide against an estimated budget of $42 million, which inspired another great sequel in 2014. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the celebrated directing duo behind The Lego Movie (2014) and the screenwriters of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023), directed both 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street. Hill and Tatum prove to be a hilarious duo as undercover cops posing as high school students to expose a potential drug operation. 21 Jump Street is often considered a generational comedy among millennials.

3 The Other Guys

2010

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The Other Guys
PG-13
Comedy
Action

From director Adam McKay comes The Other Guys. This action comedy movie stars Will Ferrell as forensic accountant Allen Gamble and Mark Wahlberg as detective Terry Hoitz, two NYPD employees sent to investigate a simple permit violation before they stumble upon a deep conspiracy and a flourishing crime ring. Without the former two best detectives on the force, these two unlikely partners will become central to bringing a criminal plot to its knees. 

Director Adam McKay Release Date August 5, 2010 Studio(s) Sony Distributor(s) Sony Writers Adam McKay , Will Ferrell Cast Will Ferrell , Mark Wahlberg , Adam McKay , Eva Mendes , Samuel L. Jackson , Michael Keaton Runtime 107 Minutes Budget $100 million

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The Other Guys is another modern buddy cop classic starring Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell. Written and directed by Adam McKay, whose previous works include Anchorman (2004), Talladega Nights (2006), Step Brothers (2008), and The Big Short (2015), The Other Guys also features a star-studded cast that includes Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, and Derek Jeter. The Other Guys received critical praise, earning a Certified Fresh score of 79% on Rotten Tomatoes. It was also a box office hit thanks to the celebrated pairing of Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, grossing $170 million against an estimated budget of $85-100 million. Fans of Will Ferrell comedies will love this buddy cop classic.

2 The Heat

2013

The Heat
pg-13
Action
Comedy

Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy star in Paul Feig’s buddy cop comedy The Heat as uptight FBI agent  Sarah Ashburn and volatile Boston police officer Shannon Mullins, who form an unlikely duo to take down a drug lord.

Director Paul Feig Release Date June 28, 2013 Studio(s) 20th Century Distributor(s) 20th Century Writers Paul Feig Cast Sandra Bullock , Melissa McCarthy , Marlon Wayans Runtime 123minutes Budget $40million

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The Heat is yet another celebrated buddy cop comedy from the 2010s starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. Directed by Paul Feig, the renowned director of Freaks and Geeks, Arrested Development, Bridesmaids, and Spy, The Heat combines the natural charisma of Bullock alongside the innate hilarity of McCarthy. The Heat received mostly positive reviews, earning a Rotten Tomatoes score of 66%. Critics praised the great onscreen collaboration of Bullock and McCarthy although some found the comedic aspects of The Heat less convincing. Regardless of the critical reception, the film was an undeniable box office success, earning roughly $230 million worldwide against a $43 million budget.

1 Ride Along

2014

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Ride Along
PG-13
Comedy

Security guard Ben Barber talks his girlfriend’s police officer brother, James Payton, to take him for a ride-along, hoping to prove to James that he’s good enough to marry his sister. However, Ben gets more than he bargained for when he gets tangled up in James’ chase for an arms dealer.

Director Tim Story Release Date January 17, 2014 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Greg Coolidge , Jason Mantzoukas , Phil Hay , Matt Manfredi Cast Ice Cube , Kevin Hart , John Leguizamo , Bruce McGill , Tika Sumpter , Laurence Fishburne , Bryan Callen Runtime 100 minutes Sequel(s) Ride Along 2 Budget $25 million

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Ride Along pairs Ice Cube and Kevin Hart in a hilarious 2014 buddy cop action comedy. Hart plays a security guard named Ben who tries to prove his worth to his girlfriend’s brother James, who is a well-respected police officer in Atlanta. Ben joins James on a ride along during a 24-hour patrol and plenty of action-packed and hilarious moments ensue. While Ice Cube and Kevin Hart excel both individually and as a duo, the film was essentially torn apart by critics, earning a Rotten Tomatoes score of just 17%. Even with a poor critical reception, Ride Along performed well enough at the box office to inspire a sequel in 2016. While Ride Along certainly is not as celebrated of a buddy cop franchise as Bad Boys, it’s still a fun watch for fans of the Will Smith and Martin Lawrence classic movies.

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