We all love good action-comedy. Unlike other movie genres that come in with a trend or are introduced by a particular director and then slowly die down, action-comedy movies have managed to hold their popularity ever since their inception. Of special note are fusion action-comics that introduce Oriental elements in a Western setting. These movies have struck the heart of Hollywood in an unanticipated manner and kickstarted a whole new cultural milieu.
One movie that comes to mind then as we talk about action comedy movies is the Rush Hour anthology. Starring the Chinese action hero Jackie Chan and American movie star Chris Tucker, this movie has claimed the hearts of millions and continues to be widely appreciated even today.
Directed by Brett Ratner, Rush Hour (1998) follows the camaraderie of two police officers, Inspector Lee (played by Jackie Chan) and Detective Carter (played by Tucker), as they solve a high-profile and confidential kidnapping case. Set in the busy streets of Los Angeles, the two officers do not start on a friendly note, owing mostly to their ethnic and cultural differences.
Chan did utmost justice as the cool-headed, rational Chinese detective with a knack for action, whereas Tucker stuck true to his loud-mouthed, goofy, and distinctively American character, Carter. The two are assigned to track down the disappearance of Soo Yung (played by Tzi Ma), the daughter of Consul general Solon Han. Ironically the kidnapping happened to be the work of an arch-enemy of Chan and crime lord, Juntao, and his associate, Sang.
Both Lee and Carter are despised by the FBI and the LAPD and are dumped on each other. The rest of the narrative follows how the two detectives slowly get in each other’s good books, all the while unraveling clues as to how to take down the Chinese crime lord. Packed with gritty action sequences, jumping off ledges of 20ft. tall buildings, detonating bombs, and gunfights, the movie went on to become one of the most celebrated buddy-cop movies made in Hollywood. It also triggered Jackie Chan’s first proper crossover with Hollywood and several Rush Hour sequels since.
The movie grossed over 244 million USD worldwide and debuted at no. 1 at the box office in September 1998. It earned Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker the 1999 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards for Favorite duo Action/Adventure and several similar accolades including the MTV movie awards, a Grammy, and a Golden Screen award.
If you are a true blue fan of buddy cop action-comedy movies, then we have listed the top 37 movies like Rush Hour that you should watch.
1. Rush Hour 2
If you have watched Rush Hour and yet feel the need to quench your adrenaline rush, then what better way is there than to tune into its sequel, Rush Hour 2? Starring the same duo, Chan, and Tucker, this movie picks off directly from where Rush Hour ended.
After a successful run with solving the kidnapping case, Lee and Carter decide to blow off some steam by vacationing together in Hong Kong. But things take a turn for the worse when their paths cross with crime lords Steven Reign and Triad Ricky Tan. Tan also happened to be connected mysteriously to Lee’s father’s death. They seek advice from intelligent and sexy customs agent Isabella (played by Roselyn Sanchez) and soon, their casual vacation turns into one of the most exciting and thrilling confrontations ever. The movie went on to garner 22 nominations and 10 wins, including MTV movie awards and the Satellite Award for Best Action Comedy.
2. Rush Hour 3
Directed once again by Brett Ratner, Rush Hour 3 follows three years after Lee and Carter, played by the same duo, solved the Triad mystery and got promoted in their respective departments. This was supposed to be the final sequel in the trilogy and delivered accordingly in terms of both the mystery and the action.
When Detective Lee gets targeted while escorting the Chinese ambassador, Han, to the criminal court, he reconnects with Carter to put an end to the Triads once and for all. Their rendezvous occurs in picturesque Paris, whereupon they encounter yet another underworld gangster who threatens their life. Lee is also brought to terms with a hard-hitting fact from his past life that has the potential to wreak havoc. The movie grossed over 250 million USD worldwide but fell short of garnering as much critical acclaim as the previous two.
3. Shanghai Noons
Written by Miles Millar and Alfred Gough and directed by Tom Dey, this movie follows yet another plot similar to the Rush Hour trilogy. Jackie Chan reprises his role as the Chinese guy with an eye for things written in fine print, embarking on a one-of-a-kind mission to save a girl’s life.
Except this time he happens to be the Imperial Guard to the Emperor of China, and the girl in question is none other than the royal Princess Pei Pei (played by Lucy Liu). Wang (Chan) enlists the help of Roy O’Bannon, played by Owen Wilson, a small-time robber en route to Nevada, and together they pursue the kidnappers to rescue the Princess. Filled with comical interludes, a heartwarming bromance, and plenty of fight and Kung fu sequences, this movie should delight every action movie fan. It made Owen Wilson a household name as the Hollywood funny guy.
4. Shanghai Knights
This is a sequel to the previous movie, Shanghai Noons, directed by David Dobkin and written by the same duo Millar-Gough. Chon Wang receives a piece of the heartbreaking news that his father has been murdered cold-blood by the Chinese rebel forces.
He joins forces with Roy to seek revenge on the rebels that lead them to England right amid a worldwide conspiracy surrounding the royal family. They meet Wang’s sister, Lin (played by Fann Wong), and her and Roy spark off a romance that adds to the drama. The movie is at times, humorous and at times thrilling, but for the most part, delivers a lot of punches and high kicks that can get anyone excited. The movie, however, lacks a bit of originality as the first part, drawing heavily on Sherlock Holmes and Watson’s misadventures. However, for any fan of Rush Hour, this is a must-watch.
5. The Forbidden Kingdom
If you are a Kung fu fanatic with love for mythology, then this movie brings together the best of both worlds. Directed by Rob Minkoff and written by John Fusco, it stars two of the most prominent Kung fu action heroes of all time, Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Jason, played by Michael Angarano, is an American teenager with a knack for Kung Fu classics and an unsaid kinship with frail-old Lu, a pawnshop owner in Chinatown.
In a tragic turn of events, Lu suffers from a heart attack, and Jason gets endowed with the responsibility of returning the legendary staff of the Monkey King to its rightful owner. Thus starts the journey of Jason into the Forbidden Kingdom, with a history as rich and timeless as the owner of the magical staff. He encounters two warriors, Lu Yan and the Silent Monk, and an alluring Southie Girl, and together they embark on the mission to defeat the Jade Emperor and free the imprisoned Monkey King. The movie received nine nominations, including the Saturn Award and Golden Trailer Award for Best Action/Fantasy movie.
6. Police Story
Directed by the action master himself, Jackie Chan, comes this unprecedented Chinese action comedy movie which is sure to capture your hearts like Rush Hour. The movie also stars Jackie himself as the protagonist Kevin, a Hong Kong-based policeman who gets framed for murder.
Kevin is all by himself in this one-of-a-kind ordeal, where he has to battle both a crafty crime lord who has framed him and the police department who held him guilty of the murder. On the way, he meets a female witness, played by Brigitte Lin, who could potentially offer him a way out from this scandal and help him clear his name. The movie delivers impeccable action mixed with kickboxing, a bit of kung fu, and unflappable athleticism. If you are looking for a light-hearted midweek watch, the Police Story might just be what you are looking for.
7. Police Story 2
Picking up right from where he left off in Police Story (1985), Jackie Chan reprises his role as the simpleminded, honest policeman Kevin who has an unorthodox way of solving crimes. Kevin’s dynamism, however, threatens the lackadaisical environment of the Hong Kong police department, so much so that he gets demoted despite his success in solving past crimes.
To add to his misery, the crime lord he put behind bars in the previous movie is out and about after Kevin to take revenge. The movie also stars Maggie Cheung, John Cheung, and several other Chinese movie actors who have made it big in Hollywood. Often dubbed by film critics as an “even better than the original” movie, replete with some serious judo moves and the like, this movie should be on your binge list.
8. Lethal Weapon
Directed by Richard Donner and starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, this 1987 Hollywood action movie has been a crowd favorite since its inception. Gibson plays the role of Martin Riggs, a Los Angeles cop who suffers from bouts of suicidal thoughts and depression. Ironically he gets paired up with Glover’s Roger Murtaugh, who is completely his opposite.
The two characters’ contrasting personalities, except for their penchant for a good physical confrontation, make up the basis of this movie. Together they unravel clues to take down a drug-smuggling operation and in the process, develop an uncanny bond that should last for ages. The movie was a huge success and earned Gibson prominence in Hollywood. It got nominated for several Academy awards too, and earned Eric Clapton a BMI Film Award for the Best Background score in a movie.
9. Lethal Weapon 2
Riggs and Murtaugh return in this sequel to Lethal Weapon two years later with yet another invigorating crime drama that will surely keep you glued to your seat till the very end. Directed by Richard Dinner yet again, the movie kicks off with the two police officers trying to take down a drug-smuggling operation but in the process, get trapped in South Africa.
They manage to capture one of the crime lord’s sophisticated helicopters, discover a part of their bounty, and are further entrusted with the responsibility of protecting a South African Consul General. The movie has excellent dramatic sequences, background music, and kick-ass stunts that will give you an adrenaline rush like none other. The special effects and sound mixing team even earned their second Academy award nomination whereas Eric Clapton received his second BMI Film Music Award in 1990 for the same. If you are a Rush Hour fan, this is the movie for you.
10. Beverly Hills Cop
Released in 1984, this classic American action drama can be easily held responsible for throttling Eddie Murphy to the pinnacle of stardom and bringing him international recognition. Eddie Murphy plays the role of a Los Angeles police officer whose best friend gets murdered by the local gangster, Victor Maitland. Axel Foley (Murphy) is however not your run-of-the-mill detective but has rather unorthodox ways when comes to solving crimes.
This earns him stern reprobation from his seniors, so much so that they want him out of town. The rest of the narrative follows Murphy and his three detective chums as they try to puzzle out a conspiracy in the underworld. The movie garnered several nominations including the Oscar for Best Screenplay, the BAFTA Film award for Best Film Score, and the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion picture.
11. Beverly Hills Cop 2
Directed by Tony Scott, the follow-up to the Beverly Hills is yet another riveting watch with the same protagonist, Axel Foley, and his two cop buddies, Detective Billy Rosewood and John Taggart. When an attempt is made on Captain Andrew Bogomil’s life, the responsibility falls on the capable shoulders of Axel to sniff out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
But everything is not as easy as it looks. Axel realizes that soon enough when he starts to grapple with the mystery of the “Alphabet Crimes” and the true identity of a spectacular hitwoman, Karla Fry (played by Brigitte Nielsen). The movie grossed around 300 million USD worldwide and was critically acclaimed, as is evident from a total of 9 wins and 20 nominations in various categories.
12. Beverly Hills Cop 3
Directed by John Landis, the final sequel in the trilogy failed to generate enough buzz in Hollywood, but it should be mentioned if you happen to be an ardent fan of the Rush Hour trilogy. The movie retains some of its original characters like Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley, Serge, and Billy Rosewood.
Still, the rest are new and each has sufficient character history. Axel tanks an apparently easy but highly secretive sting operation on some local crime lord but in the process, one of his senior officers gets shot at. Together with his two other police mates, Foley tries to sniff out the whereabouts of the gang but it only invites more trouble. The movie, unlike its prequels, is perhaps the weakest of all but packs in a good lunch for a lazy Sunday watch.
13. The Heat
If you thought action comedy dramas could only be the realm of men, you couldn’t be more wrong. Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy pair up to deliver this hilarious yet nail-biting watch that packs in copious amounts of fight sequences and comical interludes.
Directed by Paul Feigh, the movie starts with FBI Agent Sarah (Sandra Bullock) on her way to Boston to track down a drug lord and bust his operation. However, in the course of her investigation, she meets McCarthy’s Shannon Mullins, who’s also working on the same case and pursuing a different line of the probe. The rest of the narrative follows the gradual bonding of these two female cops with apparently contrasting personalities but a solid taste of vengeance. The movie was a huge international success and went on to bag seven awards out of 16 nominations.
14. Miss Congeniality
Agent Gracie Hart is a tough nut to crack, no-nonsense, no bullshit, so much so that her peers often regard her as a stone-cold woman lacking any femininity. When her colleague, Eric Matthews, takes on a super confidential case of sniffing out a terrorist and disrupting his line of action, Gracie comes into the picture.
Together they participate in a beauty pageant to take out the terrorist who’s still on the loose, and in the process, Gracie transforms into a pageant queen like no one else. Starring Sandra Bullock in the lead role and Benjamin Bratt as Eric, along with Michael Caine, Candice Bergen, and William Shatner, this 2000 American movie is a must-watch for all Rush Hour fans. The movie was a huge hit and even earned Bullock Best Leading Actress in a Comedy Award at the Blockbuster entertainment awards.
15. Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
Picking up the threads from the last movie, Gracie Hart can no longer be restricted to the life of an undercover FBI Agent. Further, she breaks up with her boyfriend Eric and instead becomes just another pretty face in cop magazines to gain traction, a life she seems to detest.
So when she meets Regina King, aka Agent Sam Fuller, it is almost as if she finds a piece of her former lost self. As the story progresses, Gracie’s friend gets kidnapped, and she and Fuller then embark on an adventure to rescue Cheryl. Sandra Bullock delivers yet another awestruck performance as FBI agent turned beauty queen Gracie Hart, whereas Regina King is unmistakably apologetic in her get-up as Sam Fuller, a hungry cop with deep-seated anger issues. The movie went on to gross more than 100 million USD worldwide and earned several nominations as well.
16. R.I.P.D.
R.I.P.D., which is short for Rest in Peace Department, is a 2013 American action comedy movie directed by Robert Schwentke and starring Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges. The movie is offbeat compared to the others in this genre, specifically owing to the plot and character arcs.
Nick, played by Reynolds, gets murdered by his longtime partner and friend, Hayes, over a bounty they captured from some ex-criminal and finds himself stuck in a police department in the Afterlife. He pairs up with an old-fashioned ex-cop, Roy, in an attempt to stop Nick, who’s planning to alter the course of the Afterlife and unleash the apocalypse upon Earth. If you don’t know it already, Reynolds is the go-to guy in Hollywood for any comic script, so rest assured, this movie is going to be an absolute clincher. It has similar intrigue and comedy as Rush Hour and is perfect for a family night.
17. Free Guy
If you like action movies and crazy visual effects, Free Guy should be the one you ought to sit down with. Directed by Shawn Levy, this 2021 American action comedy stars Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne Johnson and packs in quite a punch. Reynolds plays the run-of-the-mill house guy with love for video games. Professionally though, he’s a teller at the bank.
So by some weird turn of luck, when he finds himself as a background guy in a video game, he has no other option but to take charge of his virtual destiny. Every move he makes in the virtual world has some impact on his physical existence in reality and could potentially destroy his chances of getting back to reality. On the way, he meets and falls in love with Millie, an action heroine from the videogame, played by Jodie Comer, which complicates the process further. The movie is undoubtedly a fun watch and packed with sufficient special effects and action sequences, that too from some of our all-time favorite stars like The Rock, Taika Watiti, and Stranger Things star, Joe Keery.
18. Deadpool
This is essentially a superhero movie, but unlike anyone you have seen before. Released in 2016 under the direction of Tim Miller, the movie charts out the story of a Special Forces mercenary, Wade Wilson, who gets transformed by a scientist into Deadpool in the course of an experiment.
Deadpool is the alter-ego of Wilson, who has accelerated healing powers and a dark, twisted sense of humor. He is dressed from head to toe in a red “spiderman-meets-ninja” attire with two swords on his back, ready to pull out and make all the moves that would be required to clear his path. Ryan Reynolds delivers an unforgiving and unforgettable performance, perhaps his best to date, as Deadpool, which earned him several awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Motion picture. The film itself went on to receive a record high of 78 nominations overall.
19. Deadpool 2
If you thought Deadpool was an epic movie, wait for its sequel, Deadpool 2. Ryan Reynolds reprises his role as the foul-mouthed superhero with erratic mood swings and a twisted sense of humor, Deadpool.
The movie starts with a crossover between Deadpool and the X-Men, and together they embark on a mission to save a young mutant with superhuman capabilities, Russell. They meet their arch-enemy in the garb of a cyborg named Caleb, and it kicks off a mad battle between the two sides. Starring Josh Brolin, Zazie Beetz, Fred Savage, and Morena Baccarin in the supporting roles, this movie has a charm and candor similar to Rush Hour. If you are looking for an engaging late-night watch, Deadpool 2 is sure to satisfy all your needs.
20. Red Notice
Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, this 2021 American action comedy is a movie worth watching. Starring Gal Gadot, Dwayne The Rock Johnson, and Ryan Reynolds, the movie centers around an Interpol agent, Hartley, who’s entrusted with the responsibility of preventing a possible theft and arresting the art thief.
He fails in his attempt whatsoever and pairs up with an internationally renowned thief, Booth (played by Reynolds) to take down the art thief. The rest of the movie is nothing but a graphic ordeal of their confrontation with the perpetrator, including a masquerade and several action sequences. The movie went on to become the most viewed one on Netflix on its release date and generated quite a buzz among viewers and action movie fans.
21. The Hitman’s Bodyguard
Michael Bryce has once been an internationally recognized triple-A protection agent, but following a bad brush-up with a distinguished Japanese client that resulted in the latter’s demise, Bryce has been demoted. His current mission is to ensure the safe transfer of international criminal Darius Kincaid, who is supposed to testify at the court in Hague.
Although this sounds like a simple task for a bodyguard, things turn for the worse when they get attacked by the watchdogs of a tyrannical Belarusian leader. As the movie progresses, Darius and Bryce strike an unlikely friendship that is concerned with saving each other from a lot of bullets. Starring Ryan Reynolds as Bryce and Samuel L. Jackson as Darius Kincaid, this movie is as funny as it is entertaining. The dialogues, the fight scenes, the special effects, and especially Salma Hayek as the hot, fiery Spanish wife of Kincaid are real trophy clinchers. If you are looking for a fun watch, like Rush Hour, this is the movie for you.
22. The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard
This is a follow-up movie to The Hitman’s Bodyguard, directed by Patrick Hughes and starring the same duo, Reynolds-Jackson, as the bodyguard and his criminal buddy. When Darius’s wife Sonia, played by Salma Hayek, gets aware that her husband’s life is in danger, she is ready to go to all extremes to protect him.
And that means getting Bryce back in action. Sonia is however no ordinary woman; she happens to be a con artist with international disrepute. The two join forces with Morgan Freeman, and together, they try to hunt down the criminals who threaten Darius’s life and protect him. The movie is a riot of punchlines and serious ass-kicking. It also stars Gary Oldman, Antonio Banderas, and several other big names in Hollywood, which is enough credibility as to how good the movie is.
23. After the Sunset
Directed by Brett Ratner, this 2004 Hollywood action comedy centers around two former jewel thieves and an FBI agent, hot on their pursuit. The two thieves in question are Max Burdett and his girlfriend and partner-in-crime, Lola, played by Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayek, respectively. After successfully stealing the set of Napoleon Diamonds, the two retreated to a private tropical island, but their blissful retirement didn’t last for long.
FBI agent Stan, played by Woody Harrelson, on discovering a possible potential theft opportunity for the duo, is up by all fours to capture them red-handed and bring the priceless jewels into rightful custody. The rest of the movie charts out a cat-and-mouse game between the FBI and the thieves, with one either getting better than the other or less. The movie grossed around 28.3 million USD at the box office but packs in quite a punch in terms of dialogues, acting, and fight scenes.
24. The Tuxedo
Jackie Chan plays the role of an unassuming, fresh, young cabbie in this 2004 American action comedy movie that also stars Jeniffer Love-Hewitt and Jason Isaacs. Jimmy Tong, played by Chan, has always known not to mess around with his owner’s tuxedo when he took the job of a chauffeur.
But when multimillionaire Devlin is temporarily laid off following an accident, Jimmy puts on the tuxedo and to his immense shock, discovers that it is more than a simple overcoat. The tuxedo renders him with superpowers and insane kung-fu skills, which were previously unknown to him. He transcends into a secret agent and starts solving crimes with his girlfriend, Jennifer. Much like Rush Hour, the movie was a real stepping stone for Jackie Chan in Hollywood and made his style of action movies all the more popular with the crowd.
25. Get Smart
Peter Segal’s Get Smart is a 2008 American action comedy movie starring Steve Carrell, Anne Hathaway, and Dwayne The Rock Johnson. Maxwell Smart is intelligent, but his unorthodox ways when it comes to solving crimes and an overall blithering, blundering personality make him pretty unpopular in the FBI.
So when he gets paired with extremely sexy and equally smart agent 99, to prevent a terrorist attack planned by a dangerous organization, KAOS, everything takes a turn for the worse. But even amid their contrasting personalities, the two form an unlikely romantic chemistry that only amps up the danger associated with the mission. The movie delivers excellently in terms of plot, actions, dialogues, and romance; so much so that you’ll be glued to the screen till the very last minute.
26. The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Napoleon Solo is a CIA agent who along with Gaby Teller, undertakes a dangerous mission that helps Teller defect to West Germany in the middle of the Cold War. Set in the 1960s, the mission, although successful, receives strong opposition from KGB operative Illya Kuryakin, but later the three are forced to reunite to track down yet another highly secretive private criminal organization.
They seek help from Gaby’s father, who’s an expert in nuclear engineering, but each one has a specific selfish agenda too. Starring Armie Hammer, Henry Cavill, Alicia Vikander, and Hugh Grant, this movie is both thrilling and fun. Guy Ritchie has done an excellent job behind the camera, and it shows, be it the plot or the acting. If you loved Rush Hour, this movie would surely top your list.
27. Sherlock Holmes
Based on the insanely popular detective character created by Arthur Conan Doyle, this movie is one to watch for. Robert Downey Jr plays the role of the eccentric and megalomaniac detective Holmes, who’s been out of demand for a long time owing to his negligence. So when the love of his life, Irene Adler, played by Rachel McAdams, teams up with Lord Blackwood and goes on a killing spree, Holmes is not the first choice.
But Scotland Yard detectives have failed and formerly declared dead, Percy Blackwood has been found alive in the graveyard. The mystery gets too intense and requires the best of Holmes and a probable confrontation with his arch-enemy, Professor Moriarty. Jude Law plays an excellent role as Holmes’ sidekick, Watson, whereas Mark Strong as Lord Blackwood is nothing but sinister. This is a fun and intriguing watch.
28. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
The sequel to the original Sherlock Holmes movie, this Game of Shadows lives up true to its title. When Watson plans to retire from their partnership and start a family with Mary, Holmes gets extremely upset and starts shadowing the elusive and extremely sinister professor, Moriarty.
Moriarty is intent on getting equal with Holmes and targets Watson, Holmes’ only friend and the person he loves the most. Unwillingly Watson joins the detective for one last hurrah, and it culminates into one of the biggest cases they’ll ever solve. Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law return as the celebrated Holmes-Watson duo, whereas Jared Harris inspires awe and fear as Professor Moriarty. Like Rush Hour, this movie will make for an entertaining watch.
29. Kingsman: The Secret Service
Directed by Matthew Vaughn, this 2015 American action-comedy follows the story of Gary Unwin, also known as Eggsy, who gets selected as a secret agent by a highly confidential and extremely competitive spy organization, Kingsman.
Eggsy now has to pass through a series of gruesome and arduous practice tasks to prove himself worthy of a place in the Kingsman. Guided by Colin Firth’s Harry Hart, he then takes on the top job of protecting the world from a multimillionaire megalomaniac, Valentine’s threats to destroy the climate and wipe out all humanity. The movie was a huge box office success and went on to garner a whopping 70 plus nominations and won 22 out of them.
30. Kingsman: The Golden Circle
The sequel to Kingsman followed two years after the first movie’s huge commercial success and is directed by Matthew Vaughn. Adapted from the comic book series of the same name, written by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons, the plot continues with Eggsy, the protagonist.
Once their training is complete, and they have been officially inducted into the spy organization, the Kingsmen get embroiled in yet another gritty mission against Poppy Adams and her drug cartel, “The Golden Circle”. They cannot do it alone, however, and team up with their American counterpart, The Statesmen, and chaos ensues. Vaughn once again awed everyone with his directorial panache and the movie went on to win the Empire Award for Best Thriller.
31. Johnny English
Rowan Atkinson offers a fresh perspective to a run-of-the-mill American action comedy movie by playing the role of an English detective in this much-acclaimed cinematic genius. The actor from Mr. Bean is no longer just a caricature but has been portrayed to be a rather suave, intelligent, and charming detective with some great ass-kicking skills.
When the Crown jewels go missing, all suspicion falls on mysterious French businessman Pascal Sauvage but there’s no hard evidence to prove him guilty. Johnny has to take the lead here and bring him to justice. The movie was critically acclaimed and even received six nominations in various categories.
32. Johnny English Reborn
Rowan Atkinson aka Mr. Bean, returns as the hotshot MI5 detective in this sequel to protect the Chinese dictator and bring the perpetrators to justice. Directed by Oliver Parker, the movie starts with Johnny honing his spy skills in some obscure region in Asia when he gets called upon by the British forces.
An attempt has been made on the Chinese premier’s life, and responsibility falls on Johnny’s shoulders to prevent the same. Packed with insane drama and fight scenes, a web of conspiracy, and hi-tech gadgets, this movie is sure to keep everyone hooked. Much like Rush Hour, there are good comical interludes, too which make it appealing.
33. Johnny English Strikes Again
This is the third part of the Johnny English franchise, directed by David Kerr and starring Rowan Mr. Bean Atkinson as the protagonist, Ben Miller, and Emma Thompson. A cyber hacking software affects the MI5 website revealing the true identities of several top intelligent spies in the British services.
But Johnny has retired long before. When news breaks out that the British secret service is in jeopardy, he must come out of retirement and pick on the brain of the hacker to prevent him from incurring any further damage to society. The movie is jam-packed with action sequences, witty jokes, and funny anecdotes, courtesy of Atkinson, all of which make it a must-watch.
34. Bullet Train
Directed by David Leitch and starring Brad Pitt, Joey King, and Sandra Bullock, this 2022 American action comedy is one of a kind. Brad Pitt plays the role of an assassin, Ladybug, who has had bad luck with all his previous targets. However, he gets hired to steal a briefcase and deliver it to another guy, Lemon and in return, he might be let off the hook and the bullet train.
However, in the course of events, he gets attacked by other assassins who are also vying for the same and meets Tangerine and White Death, two men with hidden agendas. The movie is both quirky and unconventional, has a lot of fighting mishaps and, more importantly, jokes in the guise of confusion and blunders. If you are a fan of action comedy movies, this is a movie you will not regret watching.
35. The Man from Toronto
Patrick Hughes pulls something off the charts with this 2022 American action comedy movie that stars Kevin Hart, Woody Harrelson, Kaley Cuoco, and Ellen Barkin. Kevin Hart is a mediocre entrepreneur who’s smart but goofy, strong but scared, but more importantly, he’s not even close to being a trained assassin.
So when he has an ugly brush-up with Woody Harrelson’s “man from Tor”, who’s a trained assassin, the entire combination goes awry. The two now have to stick together to save each other’s asses, except it’s not as easy as it looks. The movie draws heavy references from Rush Hour, and with excellent comic timing, it is worth a watch.
36. The Do-over
Directed by Steven Brill, this 2016 American action comedy follows the story of two unlucky guys, Max and Charlie, who fake their deaths to leave a chaos-free life somewhere remote and peaceful.
Trouble brews in paradise when the men whose identities they assumed to start their lives anew get word of their misdoings and come after them. Things get more problematic when the duo discovers that they’re not ordinary people but internationally renowned criminal masterminds. Starring Adam Sandler, David Spade, Kathryn Hahn, and a few other big names in Hollywood, this is one of those movies you could watch over and over again.
37. Central Intelligence
Rawson Marshall Thurber brings together Dwayne The Rock Johnson and family guy Kevin Hart in this one-of-a-kind action comedy that’ll keep you hooked for more. Bob is a CIA special agent who seeks out his high schoolmate, Calvin, for help on a top-secret mission. But Calvin is the polar opposite of what Bob requires.
He’s soft and warm with a goody temperament and not at all cut out for jumping off high window ledges and fighting off goons. The rest of the narrative follows the gradual bonding of the two men, all the while trying to fight off bad guys, but there’s a story to Bob that Calvin is yet to know. The movie is excellently written with slapdash humor, solid fight scenes, and a quick-paced script, which makes it tick all boxes for a first-time fun watch.
So here is the list of the top 37 movies you should watch if you love Rush Hour and are looking forward to binging on more action comedy movies in the future. Each of these packs in a punch that you would never expect, and once you’ve had a taste of it, you won’t regret it.
Also watch: 37 Movies Like Set It Up To Watch – Best Recommendations
