When “21 Jump Street” hit the screens, Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum were at the peak of their careers and well-known throughout the industry.
While Channing Tatum had made a name for himself in romantic films and, of course, “Magic Mike,” his fans were aware that he possessed comedic talents yet to be fully unveiled.
Jonah Hill’s comedic prowess was widely recognized; his dry sense of humor could bring a smile to anyone’s face. So, when they were chosen to remake the classic TV series “21 Jump Street,” it turned out to be the perfect choice.
In this remake, Hill and Tatum take on the roles of two underachieving cops who are sent back to a local high school to infiltrate and dismantle a synthetic drug ring. The mission seems straightforward—find the dealer and apprehend the supplier—but, naturally, things never go that smoothly for Schmidt and Jenko.
Buddy cop comedies or teen comedies are a genre of their own. You either appreciate the humor or you don’t. The movies listed below all feature remarkable comedic duos that played pivotal roles in their success.
10 movies like 21 jump street
1. “Superbad” (2007)
Co-written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, this film catapulted Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse to cult status. It follows two co-dependent high school seniors dealing with separation anxiety after their plan to host a wild party goes awry.
2. “American Pie” (1999)
Each generation has its defining high school movie, and for 90s/2000s babies, it’s “American Pie.” The story is simple: four teenage boys make a pact to lose their virginity by prom night, leading to a series of hilarious and awkward escapades.
3. “Hot Fuzz” (2007)
If you haven’t explored the Edgar Wright Cornetto Trilogy, you’re missing out. “Hot Fuzz” is the second installment, with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost portraying skilled London police officers transferred to a seemingly peaceful village. However, their zeal for regulations is tested as a series of gruesome murders grips the town.
4. “Pineapple Express” (2008)
Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg returned to writing to bring us this classic stoner comedy. A process server and his marijuana dealer find themselves on the run from hitmen and a corrupt police officer after witnessing a murder during a routine delivery.
5. “The Other Guys” (2010)
Buddy cop comedies were once all the rage, and the pairing of Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg in this film was unexpected but brilliant. They play two mismatched New York City detectives who aspire to become the city’s top cops, just like their idolized counterparts, but things don’t go quite as planned.
6. “Ride Along” (2014)
Ice Cube’s impeccable comedic timing, as seen in “21 Jump Street,” and Kevin Hart’s humor create fantastic chemistry in this film. Security guard Ben must prove himself to his girlfriend’s brother, a top police officer, by accompanying him in his cop car on a high-stakes ride-along.
7. “Bad Boys” (1995)
At one point, Michael Bay was renowned for his action-packed films, and “Bad Boys,” starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, was no exception. Two hip detectives must protect a witness to a murder while investigating a case of stolen heroin from their own police precinct’s evidence storage room.
8. “Lethal Weapon” (1987)
Buddy cop comedies in the 80s had a distinct flavor, and “Lethal Weapon” became a major hit due to the chemistry between Danny Glover and Mel Gibson. Their banter added an extra layer of fun to the action-packed films.
9. “Beverly Hills Cop” (1984)
Eddie Murphy was a force to be reckoned with in the 80s and 90s. He plays Axel Foley, a freewheeling Detroit cop, who finds himself navigating the vastly different culture of Beverly Hills while pursuing a murder investigation.
10. “Rush Hour” (1998)
Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan, both legends in their own right, strike comedy gold in this action-packed collaboration. A loyal Hong Kong inspector partners with a reckless and talkative L.A.P.D. detective to rescue the kidnapped daughter of the Chinese Consul while dealing with a dangerous crime lord.
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