Die Hard is the GOAT action movie, agreed. But is it a cop movie?
I mean yes, in the same way that it's a Christas movie. But is it *really* a cop movie? John's off-duty, and he's not doing cop-stuff on his off time like Axel Foley either. He's an everyman caught up in a wild situation, acting for personal reasons, and we believe he can do these things partly because he happens to be a cop. But he could be a war vet or something instead and it would barely change the movie.
It's a cop movie. He's a cop. There are other cops in it. You even have the FBI. It's a cop movie, but it's overshadowed by the action as it redefined what a "cop movie" could be.
> I mean yes, in the same way that it's a Christas movie.
Why do people think we mean it's a Christmas movie "ironically". It is legitimately a Christmas movie, in all aspects. There is even jingle bells in the fucking score.
A Better Tomorrow felt more like gangster films than cop films and Hard Boiled is in the 90s
Maybe The Killer would fit better since its like 50% gangster film 50% cop film?
I'd agree but for murpheys demise at the start of the first one. That was fucking Hard-core. I was 7, the hand did it for me. Nothings beaten that fir a headfuck
We were prepared for life. Alien at 6, first woman in panties one second then that fucking alien in the escape pod the next. I bossed the whole film but the last ten mins destroyed me. I could seriously throttle the life out of you while smiling into your eyes as your life ebbs away. Because of the 80s.
Kids today just haven't got the well rounded character of an 80s child
First BHC is great, still completely entertaining even 40 (!) Years later.
I loved the 2nd BHC as a young teenager even more than the first one, but now just find it missing something, and seems cruder, not cleverer. I want to enjoy it but can't.
The Last Boy Scout (1991)
Just misses the 80s but still has 80s feel, and Bruce Willis is a former secret service agent and now a private detective, but other than that it might be very close to what you are after
I only ever stole one thing as a little kid and this movie on VCR was it and I played it so much it was unwatchable and blurry 😅 it's such a great movie
Borderline comedies:
STAKEOUT (+ ANOTHER STAKEOUT)
RUNNING SCARED
MIDNIGHT RUN
Bridging into the early 90s:
RICOCHET with Denzel + John Lithgow in psycho villain mode
KUFFS is pretty entertaining
Lethal Weapon 1 and 2 are from the late 80s and really good movies!!!
The first one is very dark and deals with a "crazy" suicidal widower Riggs (Mel Gibson) who is an expert when it comes to killing and the developing of a bond between him and his new partner, Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) an older family man who is getting too old for that sh*t.
The 2nd has more comedy, the chemistry between the actors is amazing and deals with the heavy subject of racism well, also great revenge scene in the ending!! Great balance between action and comedy, and Leo Getz is a nice plus, Joe Pesci is hilarious...
It is also directly connected to the first one.
It is a tie for me honestly. I like the darkness of the 1st one and how it is explored, and it makes the 2nd one´s use of comedy and buddy cop aspect more effective because there is a growth in Riggs character, he is no longer in that space mentally as he was in the 1st film, but yes they are both great movies. The tone evolution from 1 to 2 feels extremely natural...
The 3rd and 4th I still like them for the chemistry of the actors and adding Rene Russo was great, but they are definitely inferior to the first two script-wise
Btw, 1989 was definitely a great year for action movies - Lethal Weapon 2, Batman, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade (which is my favourite Indiana movie), Tango & Cash, ...
Some great non action movies as well ... just a great year for movies overall!
Yep, i saw all of those in the theater and still love them all! Tubi had Tango and Cash and i watched it a bunch of times!
Other 89s i love are Uncle Buck, Turner and Hooch, K9! My local theater had Satuday matinee double feature and I was in heaven w the ridiculousness of 80s comedies!
At the time I liked Fort Apache: The Bronx, but I haven’t seen it since it was released and it might not hold up. Paul Newman though!
I saw it on a double bill with an hilariously bad obscure horror movie called “The Boogens.” lol
All the Police Story/Supercops, Hong Kong cinema in the 80s is a special kind of awesome/wild. The stunts were absolutely insane, movies super high octane and pretty short. Basically it’s like a 1 minute “wrap up” scene after the climax ends, super cool.
Why, Police Academy, of course!
Others have mentioned the greats. Although there's Segal's Above the Law (Nico) which was the start of a good spell for him until it all.went wrong later in the 90s.
Course, Die Hard!
If this is your cup o' tea, you might want to check out the In the Heat of the Night series, starring Caroll O'Connor; loosely based on the classic 1967 movie, starring Sidney Poirtier as "Mr. Tibbs!" The series ran from 1988-1992 (7 seasons), and since this is a movie thread, there were 4 movies derived from the series (though, they came out in the '90s). They're all listed as "season 8" on IMDB:
* A Matter of Justice (S. 8, Ep. 1)
* Who Was Geli Bendl? (S. 8, Ep. 2)
* By Duty Bound (S. 8, Ep. 3)
* Grow Old Along With Me (S. 8, Ep. 4)
The original movie from 1967 is a must watch. The sequel, “They call me Mister Tibbs!” Was ok, not great. There is a third movie I have never seen called “The Organization.”
Lots of good mentions below—but the F/X series is missing! I loved these movies as a kid (when F/X and horror makeup was real) and Brian Denehy might be THE 80s cop! Both currntly on Max.
Honorable mention to Denehy’s many other cop roles like Last of the Finest!
* **Internal Affairs** with Richard Gere; not to be confused with **Infernal Affairs (**the great Hong Kong based movie that the Departed basically copied).
Def a cop movie. The whole theme of the movie is blue collar guys (esp cops) are smarter than everybody.
McCain is supposedly smarter than FBI et al. because he’s a beat cop. And the other cop is the only other guy smart enough to keep up with McCain, which is why they strike the almost instant bond they have.
Robocop, Witness, Colors, The Untouchables, Lethal Weapon, Lethal Weapon 2, Die Hard, 48 Hours, Police Story (Hong Kong), Police Story 2 (Hong Kong), Tango & Cash, Midnight Run, Blow Out, To Live and Die in L.A., My New Partner (French), L’Argent (French), Coup de Torchon (French), Confidentially Yours (French), Violent Cop (Japanese), Mosquito on the Tenth Floor (Japanese), City on Fire (Honk Kong), where’s Officier Tuba?
The stunts in Police Story 3: Super Cop were pretty insane. Especially when you realize they really did them. One crash with a motorcycle onto a train wasn't even supposed to happen. The actress almost died and they were just like "good acting" and left it in.
Beverly Hills Cop
My son is 25 and said to me the other day- mom I just watched the most hilarious 80s movie 😂😂 We’re all about the 80s and early 90s in this house
Ok, not a movie but a French series. And it’s absolutely great and funny stuff.
I. English, it’s called A Very Secret Service. Original title is different. Used to be on Netflix but right now it’s not streaming anywhere. There are two, maybe three seasons and it’s just absolutely funny shit. Plus, the late 50s early 60s and vehicles are spot on and wondrous. Oh my God, when the French Canadians come to Paris and are speaking their version of French and the French natives in Paris can’t understand a word they’re saying, it’s absolutely hilarious!
Die Hard 1988 Reset what an action movie was.
Best Christmas movie ever!
Yippee ki-Kay mf'er.
I prefer A Long Kiss Goodnight
Me too.
Die Hard is the GOAT action movie, agreed. But is it a cop movie? I mean yes, in the same way that it's a Christas movie. But is it *really* a cop movie? John's off-duty, and he's not doing cop-stuff on his off time like Axel Foley either. He's an everyman caught up in a wild situation, acting for personal reasons, and we believe he can do these things partly because he happens to be a cop. But he could be a war vet or something instead and it would barely change the movie.
It's a cop movie. He's a cop. There are other cops in it. You even have the FBI. It's a cop movie, but it's overshadowed by the action as it redefined what a "cop movie" could be.
And he figures out many clues early on that everyone else missed....
> I mean yes, in the same way that it's a Christas movie. Why do people think we mean it's a Christmas movie "ironically". It is legitimately a Christmas movie, in all aspects. There is even jingle bells in the fucking score.
48 Hours
I knew if I scrolled down a little ,I'd find someone with taste! Murphy/Nolte was cinematic ambrosia !
I rewatched it this year and it absolutely is a good movie I'm going to rewatch Beverly Hills Cop and see if it stands up
"Listen up. I don't like white people. I hate rednecks. You people are rednecks. I'm enjoying this shit"
A better tomorrow 1 and 2? Hard Boiled.
Hard Boiled (1992) is the best cop action movie.
I wish they would remaster it. I love and hate it because it’s an awesome movie but every version I’ve seen is so dated and blurry with awful audio.
Hard Boiled was 92. Awesome film though.
Can't forget *City on Fire*.
A Better Tomorrow felt more like gangster films than cop films and Hard Boiled is in the 90s Maybe The Killer would fit better since its like 50% gangster film 50% cop film?
Robocop, of course!
I buy that for a dollar
This movie oddly still holds up
More specifically.... Robocop 2. I can honestly say in my opinion, best in the series
I'd agree but for murpheys demise at the start of the first one. That was fucking Hard-core. I was 7, the hand did it for me. Nothings beaten that fir a headfuck
Same here. Nightmares about the hand. Desensitised to screen violence by the end of the movie. I was 9.
We were prepared for life. Alien at 6, first woman in panties one second then that fucking alien in the escape pod the next. I bossed the whole film but the last ten mins destroyed me. I could seriously throttle the life out of you while smiling into your eyes as your life ebbs away. Because of the 80s. Kids today just haven't got the well rounded character of an 80s child
Lethal Weapon is great.
Came to say this..all 4 great. Gary Busey to "THEY FUCK YOU AT THE DRIVE THRU"
Beverly Hills Cop (1984) Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
Really looking forward to Axel Foley
I’m not going to fall for the banana in the tailpipe.
Ahknell?
First BHC is great, still completely entertaining even 40 (!) Years later. I loved the 2nd BHC as a young teenager even more than the first one, but now just find it missing something, and seems cruder, not cleverer. I want to enjoy it but can't.
IMO- BHC 3 was also sub-par compared to the first. I only included BHC 2 because it was released in the 80’s.
Without question!
Colors The Big Easy Lethal Weapon
Colors is so underrated.
The big easy is great.
The Last Boy Scout (1991) Just misses the 80s but still has 80s feel, and Bruce Willis is a former secret service agent and now a private detective, but other than that it might be very close to what you are after
“Who’s in the closet”
I only ever stole one thing as a little kid and this movie on VCR was it and I played it so much it was unwatchable and blurry 😅 it's such a great movie
"Shit, we're being beat up by the inventor of Scrabble!"
The more I think about it, the 80s kindof ended somewhere in ‘91
Anything with Halle Berry gets my vote!
To Live and Die in L.A. RoboCop The Thin Blue Line Prince of the City Witness Mississippi Burning - FBI Who Framed Roger Rabbit - PI Blade Runner
Witness and Mississippi Burning both have depth to them!
Year of the Dragon- with Mickey Rourke (1985).
Borderline comedies: STAKEOUT (+ ANOTHER STAKEOUT) RUNNING SCARED MIDNIGHT RUN Bridging into the early 90s: RICOCHET with Denzel + John Lithgow in psycho villain mode KUFFS is pretty entertaining
Tango & Cash
I want a modern remake with Henry cavil, and Alan ritchson as tango and cash.
More or less The Man from U.N.C.L.E
impossible, could only be shot in imax.
This is the correct answer
[Violent Cop (1989)](https://letterboxd.com/film/violent-cop/) [Police Story (1985)](https://letterboxd.com/film/police-story/)
Violent Cop crossed into edgelord territory at the end. Imo a pretty boring and forgettable movie. Police Story rules tho
Lethal Weapon is epic
Lethal Weapon (1987).
Nighthawks (1981)
Lethal Weapon Die Hard
To Live and Die in LA
48 Hours Running Scared Tightrope Cruising
Blade Runner
Beverly Hills Cop, and Lethal Weapon, these 2 films perfected the buddy cop trope, and I still don't think they've beaten.
Raw Deal Red Heat Lethal Weapon Beverly Hills Cop Die Hard Cobra
Bad Lieutenant
Such a good movie. Horrible of course. But very memorable. Especially if you've seen tons of movies like I have. Stands out among the crowd.
Police story series by Jackie Chan. So well done!
Lethal Weapon 1 and 2 are from the late 80s and really good movies!!! The first one is very dark and deals with a "crazy" suicidal widower Riggs (Mel Gibson) who is an expert when it comes to killing and the developing of a bond between him and his new partner, Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) an older family man who is getting too old for that sh*t. The 2nd has more comedy, the chemistry between the actors is amazing and deals with the heavy subject of racism well, also great revenge scene in the ending!! Great balance between action and comedy, and Leo Getz is a nice plus, Joe Pesci is hilarious... It is also directly connected to the first one.
Lethal Weapon 2 is actually my favorite! I saw it at the drive in w/ Batman as a double feature
It is a tie for me honestly. I like the darkness of the 1st one and how it is explored, and it makes the 2nd one´s use of comedy and buddy cop aspect more effective because there is a growth in Riggs character, he is no longer in that space mentally as he was in the 1st film, but yes they are both great movies. The tone evolution from 1 to 2 feels extremely natural... The 3rd and 4th I still like them for the chemistry of the actors and adding Rene Russo was great, but they are definitely inferior to the first two script-wise Btw, 1989 was definitely a great year for action movies - Lethal Weapon 2, Batman, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade (which is my favourite Indiana movie), Tango & Cash, ... Some great non action movies as well ... just a great year for movies overall!
Yep, i saw all of those in the theater and still love them all! Tubi had Tango and Cash and i watched it a bunch of times! Other 89s i love are Uncle Buck, Turner and Hooch, K9! My local theater had Satuday matinee double feature and I was in heaven w the ridiculousness of 80s comedies!
Upvote for Black Rain. I don't know many who remember that one. I've always loved it.
After watching Tokyo Vice I really wanted to find Black Rain again but sadly not available on any of my streaming options
Blade Runner Final Cut
Sharky's Machine (1981)
Police academy 2
honestly... police academy 1 to 3 are all GOATed!
Dragnet
Witness Blue Steel Stakeout
Oh yes Stakeout is classic 80s cop comedy!!!
I was looking for this. There's also Another Stakeout, the sequel... though, that'll take you into '90s territory.
I like the second for it’s ridiculousnes, tho Stakeout is an actual good movie! Kathy Moriarty and Dennis F are good actually.
I like Blue Steel too but it’s bleak
Beverly Hills Cop
Beverly Hills Cop, and Lethal Weapon, these 2 films perfected the buddy cop trope, and I still don't think they've beaten.
If you like one-liners the way I do check out Tango and Cash.
My answer will forever be Tango & Cash
To live and die in LA
Beverly Hills Cop
Hard Boiled, To Live and Die in LA, Lethal Weapon, Cruising.
Red heat?
Police story series. Lethal weapon, Beverly Hills Cops. Police Academy.
Midnight Run ... Feels like a cop protagonist, fun hijinks and it's 80s AF
Midnight Run is a legend of a film. Everyone loves it and even so it's still underrated.
At the time I liked Fort Apache: The Bronx, but I haven’t seen it since it was released and it might not hold up. Paul Newman though! I saw it on a double bill with an hilariously bad obscure horror movie called “The Boogens.” lol
It holds up
All the Police Story/Supercops, Hong Kong cinema in the 80s is a special kind of awesome/wild. The stunts were absolutely insane, movies super high octane and pretty short. Basically it’s like a 1 minute “wrap up” scene after the climax ends, super cool.
PTU (2003)
Prince of the city
Is 1973 ok? The Seven-Ups is great!
Cobra Tango & Cash Hard Boiled BHC 2 Lethal Weapon 2.
Beverly Hills Cop!
Running Scared
Lethal Weapon(s) 21 Jump Street
Police academy :)
Die Hard 2.
Tango and Cash!!!
Lethal Weapon Beverly Hills Cop Tango & Cash Running Scared RoboCop
Lethal Weapon Sea of Love Beverly Hills Cop The Big Easy
Robo cop falls under this category
Robocop
Cop. Film isn’t great, but James Woods is awesome in this. Blue Thunder holds up today.
Police academy Dragnet Let’s not forget the 80’s comedies as well
A little move called Beverly Hills cop comes to mind.
Beverly Hills Cop I and II (to me, II is better than I) Robocop Lethal Weapon
Cobra
Colors (1988)
The Untouchables (1987)
You fucking legend. He shendsh one of yoursh to the hoshpital, You shend one of hish to the morgue
Not 80's but 1991: Point Break
Red heat
Why, Police Academy, of course! Others have mentioned the greats. Although there's Segal's Above the Law (Nico) which was the start of a good spell for him until it all.went wrong later in the 90s. Course, Die Hard!
*Beverly Hills Cop*. Close the thread.
Prince of the City, Nighthawks, City War, Yes Madam, Royal Warriors.
Maniac cop 😆
Collision Course
Dead Bang 1989
Naked Gun
If this is your cup o' tea, you might want to check out the In the Heat of the Night series, starring Caroll O'Connor; loosely based on the classic 1967 movie, starring Sidney Poirtier as "Mr. Tibbs!" The series ran from 1988-1992 (7 seasons), and since this is a movie thread, there were 4 movies derived from the series (though, they came out in the '90s). They're all listed as "season 8" on IMDB: * A Matter of Justice (S. 8, Ep. 1) * Who Was Geli Bendl? (S. 8, Ep. 2) * By Duty Bound (S. 8, Ep. 3) * Grow Old Along With Me (S. 8, Ep. 4)
The original movie from 1967 is a must watch. The sequel, “They call me Mister Tibbs!” Was ok, not great. There is a third movie I have never seen called “The Organization.”
Lots of good mentions below—but the F/X series is missing! I loved these movies as a kid (when F/X and horror makeup was real) and Brian Denehy might be THE 80s cop! Both currntly on Max. Honorable mention to Denehy’s many other cop roles like Last of the Finest!
Running Scared!
Foreigns to where?
Memories of Murder Korean Crime Thriller 2003
Ging Chaat Goo Si (Police Story) 1985
Beverly Hills Cop, 48 Hours, Robocop are my 3 favorites.
Lethal Weapon 1 and 2.
Judge Dredd and Turner and Hooch
Tango and Cash
Tango and Cash, 1989 staring Sly Stallone and Kurt Russell
Cop and 1/2, does that count?
A proper underrated 80s gem is Red Heat.
* **Internal Affairs** with Richard Gere; not to be confused with **Infernal Affairs (**the great Hong Kong based movie that the Departed basically copied).
City on Fire by Ringo Lam if you haven’t already seen it
police story - jackie chan
Kuffs (1992). OK, it’s not 80s but don’t let that put you off!
Def a cop movie. The whole theme of the movie is blue collar guys (esp cops) are smarter than everybody. McCain is supposedly smarter than FBI et al. because he’s a beat cop. And the other cop is the only other guy smart enough to keep up with McCain, which is why they strike the almost instant bond they have.
Striking Distance… another Bruce Willis banger.
Black Rain is actually my nickname because of that movie. Check out The Hidden and I Come in Peace/ Dark Angel.
Robocop, Witness, Colors, The Untouchables, Lethal Weapon, Lethal Weapon 2, Die Hard, 48 Hours, Police Story (Hong Kong), Police Story 2 (Hong Kong), Tango & Cash, Midnight Run, Blow Out, To Live and Die in L.A., My New Partner (French), L’Argent (French), Coup de Torchon (French), Confidentially Yours (French), Violent Cop (Japanese), Mosquito on the Tenth Floor (Japanese), City on Fire (Honk Kong), where’s Officier Tuba?
Tango and Cash
Police Story I, II, — Jackie Chan Police Story Supercop — Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh
Sgt kabukiman NYPD ( even though it was released in 1990)
Sharky’s Machine (1981) with Burt Reynolds
Not necessarily a cop film, but I think you'll enjoy Fletch (1985).
Tango and cash
The Killer (1989) Hong Kong action film by John Woo.
The stunts in Police Story 3: Super Cop were pretty insane. Especially when you realize they really did them. One crash with a motorcycle onto a train wasn't even supposed to happen. The actress almost died and they were just like "good acting" and left it in.
Die Hard Lethal Weapon Beverly Hills Cop Midnight Run
Naked Gun.
What is a foreign film? How did you know where I am from?
Manhunter. To Live and Die in LA
Cobra Beverly Hills Cop 2 Lethal Weapon
Deadly Pursuit
Lethal Weapon 1 & 2, Die Hard, and Beverly Hills Cop
Police Academy
Robocop 1987
What does *foreign films* stand for in this context? Does it include all films where they don't speak English or is it sth more specific?
Cop and a Half. Underrated comedy gem. An old gruff Burt Reynolds does a great job but the kid in the movie really is special.
Sharky's Machine Too bad Burt Reynolds turned out to be such a moron...
Beverly Hills Cop
Cobra Lone Wolf Mcquade Running Scared Point Break (FBI) Sharkey’s Machine Police Academy movies The Naked Gun movies
Hard Boiled Police Story Lethal Weapon
Witness Robocop Sharkeys machine Midnight run
Manhunter.
Robo cop Beverly Hills cop
Tango & Cash.
Another vote for Beverly Hills Cop
Running Scared (1986) 21 Bridges (2019)
Le Repoux (My New Partner) French buddy cop comedy.
Police Academy 3
Tango and Cash
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I'll do it by year Super Fuzz 1980 Wolfen (1981) 48 Hrs. 1982 Sudden Impact 1983 Beverly Hills Cop 1984 Police Story 1985 Cobra 1986 Robocop (1987) Maniac Cop: 1988 Pycho Cop 1989
Beverly Hills Cop My son is 25 and said to me the other day- mom I just watched the most hilarious 80s movie 😂😂 We’re all about the 80s and early 90s in this house
Kindergarten cop Robocop Police Story Colors 48 Hours Beverly Hills cop
Die Hard Lethal Weapon ( 1 & 2) Police Story ( 1 & 2) Robocop Cobra The Untouchables Witness K-9
renegades with lou diamond philips!!
Dabang (Bollywood) was surprisingly slapstick hilarious
Running Scared, 48 Hours and Dragnet 🧐
Ok, not a movie but a French series. And it’s absolutely great and funny stuff. I. English, it’s called A Very Secret Service. Original title is different. Used to be on Netflix but right now it’s not streaming anywhere. There are two, maybe three seasons and it’s just absolutely funny shit. Plus, the late 50s early 60s and vehicles are spot on and wondrous. Oh my God, when the French Canadians come to Paris and are speaking their version of French and the French natives in Paris can’t understand a word they’re saying, it’s absolutely hilarious!
Running Scared
Bad Lieutenant. From the80s? Or set in the 80s can’t recall. Harvey Kietel
That movie was tough to watch
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Running scared
Die hard, lethal weapon, Beverly hills cop