Summary
There are several other greatbuddy cop movieslike theBad Boysfranchise. Following the successful release ofBad Boys: Ride or Dieon August 13, 2025, which has earned more than $136 million and counting so far at the worldwide box office, theBad Boysfranchise has collectively earned more than $1 billion. The Rotten Tomatoesaudience score forBad Boys: Ride or Dieis the highestamong its franchise, even though critics have rated 2020’sBad Boys for Lifehigher than the most recent installment.Bad Boys: Ride or Diereunites Will Smith and Martin Lawrenceas the dynamic buddy cop duo of Mike Lowry and Marcus Burnett nearly three decades after the 1995 original was released.
Thebiggest takeaways from the reviews forBad Boys: Ride or Diecelebrate 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 anyBad Boysmovie, and most successful buddy cop films, is the humor, which is definitely one the strongest points of the latestBad Boysfilm. Legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s 1949 filmStray 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.
Rush Hour
Cast
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.
When most people think about classic buddy cop comedies,Rush Hourwill be at the top of their lists. The celebrated 1998 action-comedy starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker created a highly popular and profitabletrilogy 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 ofRush Hour 4, there has been no official release date set for the production.
Hot Fuzz
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.
Similar toRush Hour,Hot Fuzzis another celebrated buddy cop action comedy but the original film did not spurn a franchise. Directed by Edgar Wright ofShaun of the DeadandBaby Driveracclaim,Hot Fuzzfeatures the hilarious duo of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost and two London-based police officers. Pegg also co-wrote the screenplay along with Wright. AlthoughHot Fuzzdoes not have a direct sequel,it is part of the “Three Flavours Cornetto” or the “Blood and Ice Cream” trilogy, which also consists ofShaun of the Dead(2004) andThe World’s End(2013), both of which were also directed by Wright and co-written by Wright and Pegg.Hot Fuzzis one of the most beloved and crowd-pleasing buddy cop action comedies ever made and is a must-watch for fans of theBad Boysfranchise.
Lethal Weapon
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.
Lethal Weaponis 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 Weaponhas inspired three sequels and a critically acclaimed television series that ran for three seasons from 2016 to 2019. Gibson confirmed an upcoming fifthLethal Weaponmovie calledLethal Finalein 2021, which is still currently in development and is set to be directed by Gibson.Richard Donner had directed the first fourLethal Weaponmoviesand was in talks to directLethal Finalebefore his death in 2021 at the age of 91. The first twoLethal Weaponmovies featured screenplays written by Shane Black, who would go on to directKiss Kiss Bang Bang(2005),Iron Man 3(2013), and another buddy cop hit,The Nice Guys(2016).
Cop Out
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.
Cop Outis 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 Outis 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 asClerks(1994),Chasing Amy(1997), andDogma(1999).
2 Guns
2 Guns follows a DEA agent and an undercover Naval Intelligence officer who unknowingly investigate each other while trying to infiltrate a mob organization. They discover they’ve been set up and must confront the criminals they thought they were stealing from.
2 Gunsfeatures 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 Gunshas 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.LikeBad Boys,2 Gunsknows its audienceand doesn’t attempt to overcomplicate its plot, delivering plenty of hard-hitting punchlines along with its fun action scenes.
The Nice Guys
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.
Speaking of Shane Black,The Nice Guysis 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 Guyswas 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’sThe Fall Guy.The Nice Guyswas highly praised by critics, earning an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 91%. Unfortunately,similar to the box office fate ofThe Fall Guy,The Nice Guysended up being a box office dud, generating just $62 million against a budget of $50 million despite its outstanding critical reception.
21 Jump Street
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.
Besides being one of Johnny Depp’s earliest television credits,21 Jump Streetis 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 behindThe Lego Movie(2014) and the screenwriters ofSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse(2023), directed both21 Jump Streetand22 Jump Street.Hill and Tatum prove to be a hilarious duo as undercover cops posing as high school studentsto expose a potential drug operation.21 Jump Streetis often considered a generational comedy among millennials.
The Other Guys
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.
The Other Guysis another modern buddy cop classic starring Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell. Written and directed by Adam McKay, whose previous works includeAnchorman(2004),Talladega Nights(2006),Step Brothers(2008), andThe Big Short(2015),The Other Guysalso features a star-studded cast that includes Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, and Derek Jeter.The Other Guysreceived 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.
The Heat
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.
The Heatis yet another celebrated buddy cop comedy from the 2010s starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. Directed by Paul Feig, the renowned director ofFreaks and Geeks,Arrested Development,Bridesmaids, andSpy,The Heatcombines the natural charisma of Bullock alongside the innate hilarity of McCarthy.The Heatreceived 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 ofThe Heatless convincing. Regardless of the critical reception, the film was an undeniable box office success, earning roughly $230 million worldwide against a $43 million budget.
Ride Along
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.
Ride Alongpairs 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 Alongperformed 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 asBad Boys, it’s still a fun watch for fans of the Will Smith and Martin Lawrence classic movies.
