.jpg?q=50&fit=contain&w=1140&h=&dpr=1.5)
Buddy cop movies are a popular genre, despite being relatively new in the history of film. They became more prominent in the 1980s, and since then, many movies working with this concept premiered. The recipe is usually similar. A duo works together — at least one of whom is a police officer — and they have to solve a certain problem even though they don't like each other that much, at least initially.
The movies mostly revolve around men, as has been custom for decades. The recent Red Notice gives a lot of space to Gal Gadot's Bishop, but the main buddy cop duo is Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds. One of them is a crook, the other an agent, yet they somehow end up on the same side. For audience senjoyed Red Notice, there are a lot of other comedy buddy cop movies worth watching.
9 48 Hrs (1982)
More often than not, it's two cops who work together in a buddy cop movie. Less common is when one of the heroes is a cop and the other a crook like in Red Notice. 48 Hrs uses this same unusual recipe, and with a great result.
Eddie Murphy has acted in many great comedies, and this is one of his best. Murphy portrays a criminal briefly released from prison, who's helping a cop (Nick Nolte) catch those responsible for several cop murders. The movie has become a classic since its release, and no fan of the genre should miss out on watching it.
8 Men In Black (1997)
Unlike Red Notice, Men in Black toys with the sci-fi genre. Despite that, the two movies share a strong sense of humor, sometimes almost an absurd one. In the well-known franchise, Will Smith stars as a young agent who learns his job alongside the experienced Tommy Lee Jones. Though they aren't traditional cops, the dynamic between them is the same.
Despite the differences between the two characters, they work surprisingly well as a team, just like Booth and Hartley in Red Notice eventually do. This movie became a classic and spawned multiple sequels, including the most recent version with Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson.
7 Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
This movie helped kickstart Robert Downey Jr.'s career in the mid-2000s, and without it, Downey Jr. might have never become Iron Man. However, that's not the only reason why Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is worth watching. It's a fast-paced story with a lot of unexpected moments, just like Red Notice.
Downey Jr. plays a thief who ends up working with a cop named Perry (Val Kilmer). The movie is full of funny scenes. Superhero fans will appreciate it even more — it's basically a crossover buddy cop movie between Iron Man and Batman!
6 Hot Fuzz (2007)
Simon Pegg starred in the so-called Cornetto trilogy created by Edgar Wright, and this film is the second in that trilogy. Hot Fuzz is a homage to all buddy cop movies. A super-efficient policeman named Angel (Pegg) is transferred to a city where nothing happens. His new partner, Butterman (Nick Frost), loves crime movies, but he's not that great at his job.
Both main characters are very different, yet forced to work together. The argumentative dialogue between them belongs among the best scenes in the movie. The excellent cast also makes this action-comedy an unforgettable piece.
5 21 Jump Street (2012)
Inspired by a popular 80s show, Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill star as two policemen who have to infiltrate a high school and pretend to be students despite their age.
The plot itself is absurd, but it works because it piles one joke after another. Tatum and Hill excel as a duo and their conversations and different approaches to their job make up for great scenes. Since 21 Jump Street worked so well, it led to an equally high-quality remake named 22 Jump Street.
4 R.I.P.D. (2013)
A few years before he played Nolan Booth in Red Notice, Ryan Reynolds shone in another unusual buddy cop movie. His hero is a policeman who dies and joins the Rest in Peace Department. Under the tutelage of Jeff Bridges' character Roy Pulsipher, Reynolds' hero learns how to capture dangerous creatures who walk the Earth.
The fantasy element is enough to differentiate R.I.P.D. from most of the movies of the same genre. Bridges is excellent as the harsh, experienced mentor, and Reynolds doesn't disappoint either. If anybody likes their buddy cop comedy movies with a touch of the supernatural, this is an excellent option.
3 Zootopia (2016)
Ryan Reynolds didn't voice a part in this movie but he might as well have, considering that Jason Bateman's clever fox con artist character has a similar sense of humor. Ginnifer Goodwin plays the young and enthusiastic police officer and bunny in one person.
The only animated movie on this list, Zootopia offers a lot of funny scenes and great characters as well as a unique spin on the buddy cop formula. It also creates an elaborate world full of more or less hidden details that are a joy to discover.
2 Central Intelligence (2016)
What brings Red Notice and Central Intelligence closer is the inclusion of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in one of the leading parts. The Rock stars as CIA agent Bob Stone who reconnects with his old school buddy Calvin (Kevin Hart) who now works as an accountant, and leads him on an unforgettable and dangerous journey.
The movie is full of surprises, and doesn't shy away from exploring the differences between its main characters. While not the greatest buddy cop movie in the world, it's a must-watch for all fans of the actors and the viewers who just want to relax with a fun flick.
1 Hobbs And Shaw (2019)
If Red Notice fans want to see Dwayne Johnson in another buddy cop movie, Hobbs and Shaw is an excellent option. It's a spin-off of the Fast and Furious franchise, but this movie is enjoyable even for the viewers who aren't familiar with its predecessor.
Just like Hartley and Booth, Johnson's Hobbs and Jason Statham's Shaw don't initially like each other but that doesn't change the fact they're forced to work together. That leads to a lot of funny moments, and the action scenes in this movie are also excellent. Idris Elba plays the main villain, and just like the titular duo, he gives a great performance.