Nothing beats watching an excellent movie after a long and tiring day. But why not enjoy your “me-time” with some good old buddy cop movies? This kind of movie doesn’t always have to be boring, as the buddy cop will always be there to save the day!
From classic to the latest, fierce action to nothing but comedy, we have a good list for you. Here are 13 Best Buddy Cop Movies to tick off your watchlist.
1. Hot Fuzz (2007)
English 2h 1m IMDb
Edgar Wright
Stars: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman
Hot Fuzz is about a famous and excellent London police officer Nicholas Angel who got on the nerves of his superiors and decided the higher-ups wanted him gone. Nicholas transferred to a Somerset village, a quiet place to be.
Nicholas Angel and his buddy cop Danny Butterman team up to unveil foul play on Somerset village as it becomes a headline together with terrible accidents hidden as murders.
Hot Fuzz is perfect if you are looking for little bit of action, comedy, and murder movie. Look forward to the highly unlikely tandem of local police and a London police officer.
2. End of Watch (2012)
English, Spanish 1h 49m IMDb
David Ayer
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick
End of Watch is about two young LAPD officers, friends, and partners at work, starring Brian Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Mike Zavala (Michael Peña).
This buddy cop is about the pursuit of criminals after Brian Taylor was shot multiple times while Zavala tries desperately to attend to his partner’s wound. Zavala saved Taylor by using his own body as a shield.
The movie narrated the real lives of LAPD police officers Charles Wunder and Jamie McBride. End of Watch is a true tear-jerker but shows what a police officer can do to save his partner.
3. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
English 1h 43m IMDb
Shane Black
Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is not your ordinary buddy cop movie as insignificant police officer Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.) was helped by Perry van Shrike (Val Kilmer). Since Lockhart is a lacking police officer, he decided to audition for a mystery film.
As soon as he gets the part, he stumbles upon his childhood sweetheart and Shrike, who got involved in a murderous conspiracy.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is an excellent buddy cop and isn’t on the depressing side. But be wary as this movie is rated R and has scenes that don’t appeal to everyone.
4. The Nice Guys (2016)
English, German 1h 56m IMDb
Shane Black
Stars: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice
The Nice Guys movie’s setting is way back in 1977 in Los Angeles.
As luck would have it, Holland March (Ryan Gosling), an unfortunate private investigator, was paired with Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe), a paid enforcer notoriously known for hurting people as his 24/7 job.
The very highly unlikely duo’s first case is the disappearance of Amelia. Not to mention that whoever is involved might end up dead.
The Nice Guys is nothing too grim but will take you to dark places that no one would ever want to see. The unlikely duo made the movie lighter.
5. The Guard (2011)
English, Irish Gaelic 1h 36m IMDb
John Michael McDonagh
Stars: Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle, Mark Strong
The Guard is a straight-up funny buddy cop movie starring an Irish cop (Brendan Gleeson) and an all-rounder American FBI agent (Don Cheadle). The case handled by the pair was to reveal police corruption within their superiors while dealing with drug trafficking.
This comedy-action film described criminal activities without going over the top.
The Guard is a quirky movie with a lot of dark humor. The film also tackled a lot about anti-American and racism without leaving the comedy side. So, if you’re up to a good old laugh, The Guard is definitely your buddy cop movie.
6. Men in Black (1997)
English, Spanish 1h 38m IMDb
Barry Sonnenfeld
Stars: Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino
Who doesn’t know Men in Black, raise your pinkies? Men in Black is the best example of a comedy-sci-fi movie starring Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) and Jay (Will Smith), who is under an unofficial agency but are funded by the government.
The agency is about providing aliens on earth with the immigration services they need. Men in Black are the ones responsible for hunting the unregistered deadly aliens.
The movie’s plot is about uncovering the plan of Intergalactic terrorists who have gathered to rule the earth. I know, it’s just a generic one, but MIB is perfect for laughs.
7. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
English 1h 45m IMDb
Martin Brest
Stars: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton
Beverly Hills Cop is about a murdered childhood buddy of the unruly Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) seeking justice and following his lead in Beverly Hills. He stumbles upon his old friend and believes the murderer is his old friend’s boss.
In Axel’s pursuit of justice, there is one who hinders his way. Lt. Bogomil (Ronny Cox) BHPD officers don’t trust an inch of Foley.
We all know that Eddie Murphy is an excellent actor and a popular comedian. This is a must-watch movie, expect that there will be many fit of laughter now and then in Beverly Hills Cop.
8. 21 Jump Street (2012)
English 1h 49m IMDb
Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Stars: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube
This movie is about Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) who are tasked to join a secret unit. These police officers, having a youthful appearance have an edge. They went undercover as high schoolers.
Trading their police stuff such as badges and guns for school brings back many unwanted memories both to Schmidt and Jenko as they do not have the “best” of high school life.
21 Jump Street is an excellent buddy cop movie to watch if you have a bad day. Just sit back and relax because Schmidt and Jenko are ready to make you laugh.
9. Rush Hour (1998)
English, Cantonese, Mandarin 1h 38m IMDb
Brett Ratner
Stars: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Ken Leung
Are you a fan of Jackie Chan? Here’s Rush Hour. The movie is about a kidnapped daughter of a Chinese diplomat who sought and resorted to contacting Hong Kong Detective Lee (Jackie Chan).
Things didn’t turn out as planned as the FBI didn’t need Detective Inspector Lee’s help but was assigned to LAPD, paired with Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker), and everything went haywire.
Rush Hour is an excellent feel-good movie with a pinch of mismatched partners and a dash of action. Watch this if you are down to Jackie Chan’s fast action and Chris Tucker’s uncaring loudmouth.
10. The Heat (2013)
English, Spanish, Bulgarian 1h 57m IMDb
Paul Feig
Stars: Sandra Bullock, Michael McDonald, Melissa McCarthy
]The Heat is about FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock), a fantastic by-the-book agent with great arrogance, and loud-mouthed, impulsive detective Shannon Mullins (Melissa McCarthy), who is unfortunately stuck together.
It all started when the two had to work together and go after a notorious drug lord. What do you expect from the highly unlikely pair? Expect a lot of twists.
The Heat is an excellent feel-good movie that screams women’s empowerment and how funny they can be when faced even danger. This movie is a typical buddy cop movie that doesn’t need critical thinking and is plain funny.
11. The Other Guys (2010) 6.6
English, Ukrainian 1h 47m IMDb
Adam McKay
Stars: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Derek Jeter
The Other Guys is about two NYPD detectives, Gamble (Will Ferrell) and Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg), that are outstanding in office work rather than being on the field and are nothing more.
However, the day comes when the two can no longer take the desk job and finally decide to make a name for themselves! But what started as a minor case but turned out to be a massive case, the two ventured in with cold feet.
The Other Guys is an example of “just do it!”. If they won’t do it, who would? It also applies in real life.
12. Bad Boys for Life (2020)
English, Spanish 2h 4m IMDb
Adil El Arbi: Bilall Fallah
Stars: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens
Bad Boys for Life is about a team of two Miami detectives who seem to be in a haze, Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence).
Their mishaps started with the involvement in the trial of a Mexican drug lord. During the trial, the wife and son of the imprisoned drug lord come on to get their revenge.
If we put Will Smith and Martin Lawrence together, we’ll get a great spoonful of comedy and a dash of must-watch action buddy cop movie. And also, a film full of laughers. It is worth the laugh, you guys!
13. Let’s Be Cops (2014) 6.4
English, Spanish 1h 44m IMDb
Luke Greenfield
Stars: Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr., Rob Riggle
Let’s Be Cops is about two bored friends, Ryan (Jake Johnson) and Justin (Damon Wayans Jr.) that is about to join a college reunion. Out of boredom and miscommunication, they went on dressed as a cop because they thought the reunion’s theme was a costume party.
The act turns into a wild charade of danger, putting their lives on the line. From fake buddy cop to real buddy cop! Let’s Be Cops is a great movie with lots of unexpected-expected scenes. It has a good plot and will give you a glimpse of what the police world is all about.
SUMMARY
The list of 13 Buddy Cop Movies combines comedy, action, and dark humor. There are more, and I mean plenty of buddy cop movies waiting to be seen. You can grab a friend or go solo and watch the movies included in our list above. Buckle up and relax!