Experience Action-Packed Laughter And Thrills: Exploring Films Similar To 21 Jump Street

• IMDb rating: 7.0/10
• Director: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
• Writers: Michael Bacall, Oren Uziel, Rodney Rothman
• Stars: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube
• Duration: 1h 52m

If you loved 21 Jump  Street, then the natural course of action is to watch its sequel. After successfully completing high school (twice), officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) are about to go deep undercover at a local college. However, when Jenko meets a kindred spirit on the football team and Schmidt infiltrates the bohemian art major scene, they begin to doubt their alliance. They must now determine whether or not they can have a mature relationship in addition to cracking the case. 

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller-the directors of 21 Jump Street, both returned to direct 22 Jump Street, and so did Jonah Hill and Michael Bacall. Oren Uziel (The Cloverfield Paradox) and Rodney Rothman (Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse) also joined the writing team for the film.

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22 Jump Street premiered in New York City on June 4, 2014, and was distributed theatrically in the United States nine days later by Columbia Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It garnered mostly favorable reviews and grossed $331 million globally. 

If you loved 21 Jump Street, you're in for a treat with this one. It lives up to expectations and brilliantly pokes fun at itself. The film's strength is that it doesn't take itself too seriously while presenting a solid and fast-paced tale with plenty of twists and action. I laughed nonstop from the first minute to the end credits!

Official trailer: 

Where to watch: Justwatch

• IMDb rating: 6.7/10
• Director: Adam McKay
• Writers: Adam McKay, Chris Henchy
• Stars: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Derek Jeter
• Duration: 1h 47m

Unlike their heroic colleagues on the force, desk-bound NYPD detectives Gamble (Will Ferrell) and Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg) do not make headlines on a daily basis. Gamble enjoys his work as a paper pusher, but Hoitz longs to return to the streets and make a name for himself. When an apparently small case turns out to be a huge matter, the two officers finally get the chance to show their colleagues that they have what it takes.

The Other Guys was directed by Adam McKay, who co-wrote it with Chris Henchy. It's the first of three collaborations between Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, who later worked together again in Daddy's Home (2015) and Daddy's Home 2 (2017). 

The movie was released in the United States on August 6, 2010, to positive reception from critics and grossed a total of $170 million worldwide. It received tremendous accolades from critics for its directing, writing, witty dialogues, and comedic chemistry between Ferrell and Wahlberg. Some critics even lauded The Other Guys as the finest cop movie of the year, comparing it to the critically panned Cop Out. 

Like 21 Jump Street, The Other Guys is, in my opinion, an enormously entertaining comedy that is joyously dumb and over the top while also skillfully toying with buddy police movie cliches. Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg proved to be a great comedic duo with incredible chemistry in this film. No wonder they went on to make more movies together.

Unexpectedly, Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson are so good during their limited screen time in this film that it makes me want to watch a prequel movie about their characters. Michael Keaton and Steve Coogan are both fantastic too, as always. The film is also really well-paced and the action scenes are surprisingly brilliantly filmed. Overall, The Other Guys is constantly humorous, with lots of laughs throughout.

Official trailer: 

Where to watch: Justwatch

• IMDb rating: 7.0/10
• Director: Brett Ratner
• Writers: Ross LaManna, Jim Kouf
• Stars: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Ken Leung
• Duration: 1h 38m

Next up, we have a certified classic in the buddy cop subgenre:  "Rush Hour", a 1998 action-comedy film directed by Brett Ratner. The movie stars Jackie Chan as Detective Inspector Lee and Chris Tucker as Detective James Carter. It follows the unlikely partnership between a skilled Hong Kong police officer, Lee, and a fast-talking, wise-cracking LAPD detective, Carter, as they team up to rescue a Chinese diplomat's kidnapped daughter and unravel a criminal conspiracy. Here's more information about the film:

Set in the bustling streets of Los Angeles, "Rush Hour" follows the unlikely partnership between Detective Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) and Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker). When the daughter of a Chinese diplomat is kidnapped, Lee and Carter are thrust into a high-stakes investigation that spans cultures, languages, and explosive action sequences. As the duo races against time, their comedic banter and mismatched styles create a hilarious yet effective dynamic, leading to unexpected discoveries and jaw-dropping thrills.

Upon its release in 1998, "Rush Hour" quickly became a fan favorite. Audiences were captivated by the electric chemistry between Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, as well as the film's perfect blend of comedy and action. Critics praised the film's humor, stunts, and impeccable timing, making it an instant classic in the buddy cop genre. With its crowd-pleasing formula, "Rush Hour" garnered positive reviews and amassed a dedicated following that eagerly awaited its sequels.

Not only did "Rush Hour" win hearts, but it also conquered the box office. The film's winning combination of charismatic performances, dynamic action sequences, and uproarious humor propelled it to remarkable financial success. In fact, "Rush Hour" grossed over $244 million worldwide, solidifying its status as a blockbuster hit. Its overwhelming popularity led to the creation of two equally entertaining sequels, further solidifying the franchise's place in cinematic history.

For fans of "21 Jump Street," "Rush Hour" offers a familiar blend of action and comedy, keeping you on the edge of your seat while doubling over in laughter. Both films feature a dynamic duo at the center of the narrative, where the contrasting personalities of the main characters create an engaging dynamic that drives the story forward. Just like "21 Jump Street," "Rush Hour" delivers high-energy action sequences, hilarious dialogue, and unexpected plot twists, leaving audiences thoroughly entertained.

If you're craving another dose of thrilling action-comedy after enjoying "21 Jump Street," "Rush Hour" is the perfect cinematic gem to fulfill your desires. With its explosive mix of laughter, excitement, and heartwarming camaraderie, "Rush Hour" will leave you exhilarated and eagerly awaiting the next adventure. Brace yourself for a wild ride and prepare to experience the timeless charm and sheer entertainment that "Rush Hour" brings to the table. Buckle up, because this action-packed delight is an absolute must-watch! 

Official trailer: 

• IMDb rating: 7.3/10
• Director: Shane Black
• Writers: Shane Black, Anthony Bagarozzi
• Stars: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice
• Duration: 1h 56m

In The Nice Guys, Holland March (Ryan Gosling) is a down-and-out private investigator in 1977 Los Angeles. Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) is a hired enforcer who makes a career by hurting others. The 2 unexpectedly become partners when they both are tasked with finding a missing young woman called Amelia (Margaret Qualley). Healy and March quickly discover, the hard way, that other dangerous people are also seeking for Amelia. Their investigation takes them to dark areas, while everyone else engaged with the case seems to die.

Directed and co-written by Anthony Bagarozzi and Shane Black, The Nice Guys is a 2016 American neo-noir action comedy film starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling in the title roles, with Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer, Margaret Qualley, Keith David, and Kim Basinger in supporting roles. Despite being well-received by critics for its directing, writing, humor, and cast performances, The Nice Guys did not perform well at the box office, grossing a measly $62 million. However, it has since become a cult classic.

If you enjoy weird dialogues and situation comedy then The Nice Guy is exactly what you’re looking for. Shane Black seems to have an uncanny ability to write this kind of comedy perfectly spot-on. Russel Crowe and Ryan Gosling absolutely killed it in this film. Their chemistry was fantastic and their character dynamic was actually quite original in this sub-genre.  Holland March might just be my favorite performance from Ryan Gosling so far and serves as a testament to his talent for comedy. 

The protagonist duo aren’t even technically cops, and they aren’t even trying to be funny, yet The Nice Guys became one of the best and most refreshing buddy-cop comedies I have ever watched. If you are a fan of good comedy buddy cop movies like 21 Jump Street, I would highly recommend this one.

Official trailer: 

Where to watch: Justwatch

• IMDb rating: 6.3/10
• Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber
• Writers: Ike Barinholtz, David Stassen, Rawson Marshall Thurber
• Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Danielle Nicolet
• Duration: 1h 47m

Bob Stone (Dwayne Johnson), who was bullied as a child for being overweight, turns up to his high school reunion looking strong and muscular. While there, he meets Calvin Joyner (Kevin Hart), a quick-witted accountant who pines for his days as a successful athlete. Stone is now a dangerous CIA agent in need of Calvin's math talents to save the corrupted US spy satellite system. While attempting to avoid global anarchy, the old classmates face shootouts, espionage, and double-crosses.

This is where it started: Central Intelligence was the first film starring the now-iconic duo Kevin Hart and The Rock. Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber and written by Thurber, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen, the film was lauded by critics for Hart and Johnson's performances and chemistry. It was nominated for 11 awards and won 3, including the People’s Choice Awards for Favorite Comedic Movie Actor (Kevin Hart). The movie ended up grossing $217 million worldwide against its $50 million budget.

Central Intelligence is centered on the two performers' excellent connection; both Hart and Johnson offer a cheery bromantic, especially the latter, who takes his role seriously beyond merely knowing how to flex muscles. It may lack detail in explaining the mission's goal, but the film is ultimately entertaining to watch owing to the duo's effort and chemistry. If you love the brotherly banter between Schmitt and Jenko, then you’ll love Kevin Hart and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in Central Intelligence.

Official trailer: 

Where to watch: Justwatch

• IMDb rating: 6.8/10
• Director: Michael Bay
• Writers: George Gallo, Michael Barrie, Jim Mulholland
• Stars: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Lisa Boyle
• Duration: 1h 59m

Miami-Dade detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) light a fuse after $100 million in heroin is stolen from station headquarters. Internal Affairs gives them five days to find the drugs before shutting down the narcotics division, suspecting it was an inside operation. Marcus is forced to disguise himself as his partner in order to earn the trust of a call girl (Tea Leoni), a critical witness in their investigation.

Directed by the now-famous Michael Bay in his feature directorial debut and produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, Bad Boys was released in 2016 to mixed reviews from critics but turned out to be a commercial success, grossing $141,407,024 globally, including $65,807,024 in North America and $75,600,000 overseas, according to Box Office Mojo. This box office success thus spawned 2 sequels: Bad Boys II (2003) and Bad Boys For Life (2020).

The majority of the Bad Boys’ criticism centered on the fact that, despite the film's production value and the talent of the cast, the script did not deviate from the conventional storyline of a buddy-cop genre picture, instead choosing for the repetitive usage of formulaic situations. However, the audience loved the film and praised it for the chemistry between the 2 lead actors. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the Bad Boys an "A" on a scale of A+ to F.

Although full of clichés, I think 'Bad Boys' is an amazing action flick, in the same vein as 'Lethal Weapon'. There are plenty of hilarious scenes that got me laughing out loud. Martin Lawrence and Will Smith are fantastic as the two partners with opposing personalities, not to mention the stunning Téa Leoni. I would recommend this film to any fan of comedic buddy cop movies like 21 Jump Street.

Official trailer: 

Where to watch: Justwatch

• IMDb rating: 6.1/10
• Director: Tim Story
• Writers: Greg Coolidge, Jason Mantzoukas, Phil Hay
• Stars: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumpter
• Duration: 1h 39m

"Ride Along" is a comedy film released in 2014. Directed by Tim Story, the movie stars Ice Cube and Kevin Hart in the lead roles. It follows the story of a high school security guard who goes on a ride-along with his girlfriend's brother, a hot-headed police officer.

In "Ride Along," Ben Barber (Kevin Hart) is an aspiring police officer who wants to marry his girlfriend, Angela Payton (Tika Sumpter). However, Angela's brother, James Payton (Ice Cube), is a tough and seasoned police detective who doubts Ben's capabilities. To prove himself worthy of Angela's hand in marriage and gain James' approval, Ben agrees to go on a ride-along with him. As they patrol the streets of Atlanta, they encounter various comedic and dangerous situations, putting their relationship and Ben's dreams to the test.

"Ride Along" received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the chemistry between Ice Cube and Kevin Hart, as well as the film's humor, others criticized its predictable plot and reliance on buddy cop tropes. Despite the mixed reception, the film resonated with audiences and became a commercial success.

The film performed exceptionally well at the box office, grossing over $153 million worldwide against a budget of $25 million. Its commercial success led to the development of a sequel, "Ride Along 2," released in 2016.

"Ride Along" and "21 Jump Street" share some similarities as action-comedy films with buddy cop dynamics. Both movies feature characters who are involved in law enforcement and find themselves in comedic and unexpected situations. They explore the dynamic between two contrasting individuals forced to work together, resulting in humorous and action-packed moments.

However, it's important to note that "Ride Along" focuses more on the comedic elements and the relationship between the two main characters, while "21 Jump Street" incorporates more satirical and self-aware humor, often parodying the buddy cop genre. While both films offer laughs and action, they have distinct tones and approaches to comedy.

In summary, "Ride Along" is a comedy film that follows the adventures of a high school security guard on a ride-along with his girlfriend's police officer brother. The film received mixed reviews but was a box office success. While sharing some similarities with "21 Jump Street" as action-comedy films with buddy cop dynamics, they differ in terms of tone and comedic approach.

Official trailer: 

Where to watch: Justwatch

If you're craving another dose of thrilling action-comedy after enjoying "21 Jump Street," "Rush Hour" is the perfect cinematic gem to fulfill your desires. With its explosive mix of laughter, excitement, and heartwarming camaraderie, "Rush Hour" will leave you exhilarated and eagerly awaiting the next adventure. Brace yourself for a wild ride and prepare to experience the timeless charm and sheer entertainment that "Rush Hour" brings to the table. Buckle up, because this action-packed delight is an absolute must-watch!

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