The Best Buddy Cop Movies

It all started with a mash-up of the Keystone Cops with Laurel and Hardy. Today, the buddy cop genre has become one of the most beloved in all of cinema. Unfortunately, it’s also the one most likely to produce a Rush Hour 3. With Valentine’s Day coming up, I thought it would be fun to look over the best Buddy Cop Movies of all time.*

#6 Cop Out

I’ve only seen the trailer, but that’s enough to qualify for our list. Speaking of Tracy Morgan, now’s a good time to look back at his infamous appearance on KVIA.

#5 48 Hours

Remember when Eddie Murphy was still funny? Remember when Nick Nolte wasn’t crazy? No? Well the eighties were a very different time. This clip is not safe for work or small children.

#4 Bad Boys

Number 4 on our list here, but number one on the list of Michael Bay films.

#3 Tango & Cash

The reason this one works so well is because Stallone is the nerdy cop. He’s totally playing against type. The movie is messing with audience expectations. It’s brilliant. I don’t know how many Oscars it won, but it must have been at least 100.

#2 Lethal Weapon

You may have noticed that this list has been carefully compiled to include an equal number of black and white cops. All because Lethal Weapon made it a necessity to pair together two police officers who are as opposite as possible.

Pro Tip for College Students: Take a drink every time Danny Glover says “I’m too old for this shit.”

#1 Running Scared

Sadly, with all the lousy movies that have made multiple sequels, you have one of the best movies of all time, and they never thought to make a follow-up. But check out the car phone in this clip.

*Not all of these movies have homo-erotic undertones as obvious as Rush Hour, but I have included them anyway

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