Top Action Comedy Movies

From John Landis, starring John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Cab Calloway, John Candy
Rated R

The Blues Brothers is a 1980 American musical comedy film directed by John Landis. It stars John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as "Joliet" Jake and Elwood Blues, characters developed from "The Blues Brothers" musical sketch on the NBC variety series Saturday Night Live. The film tells the story of Jake and Elwood, two brothers attempting to save the Catholic orphanage in which they were raised by reuniting their former band and raising funds from a benefit concert. With the help of their friends, the "Blues Brothers Band", they battle an oppressive "State Police Officer" who is determined to stop them. The film is loaded with musical numbers and car chases, and features an ensemble cast, including James Brown, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, and John Lee Hooker.

From Edgar Wright, starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Bill Nighy
Rated R

Hot Fuzz is an action comedy film directed by Edgar Wright, the director of Shaun of the Dead. It follows a top London cop, Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg), who is transferred to the small town of Sandford. Even though Sandford is supposed to be a peaceful village, strange accidents start to occur and Nicholas soon discovers that the town is not what it seems. With the help of his dim-witted partner, Danny Butterman (Nick Frost), Nicholas must uncover the truth and save the town from a nefarious plot. Along the way, they are aided by a host of eccentric characters, including the town's overzealous police chief, Inspector Frank Butterman (Jim Broadbent). Hot Fuzz is a thrilling and hilarious adventure full of clever references and witty dialogue.

From Stephen Chow, starring Stephen Chow, Wah Yuen, Qiu Yuen, Siu-Lung Leung
Rated R

Kung Fu Hustle is a comedic martial arts film directed by Stephen Chow and released in 2004. The film follows the story of a small-time gangster, Sing (played by Chow), who aspires to be a member of the most powerful gang in town. In order to prove himself, Sing is forced to take on a powerful Chinese kung fu master. With the help of his eccentric sidekicks, he must use his mediocre martial arts skills to defeat the master and gain respect from the gang. Along the way, Sing and his comrades meet a variety of colorful characters, each with their own unique kung fu style, as they battle their way to the top. Filled with humor and action, Kung Fu Hustle proves that even a "nobody" can be a hero.

From Matthew Vaughn, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicolas Cage, Chloë Grace Moretz, Garrett M. Brown
Rated R

Kick-Ass is a 2010 British-American superhero black comedy film based on the comic book of the same name by Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr. The film follows Dave Lizewski, an ordinary teenager who sets out to become a real-life superhero, calling himself "Kick-Ass". He soon learns, however, that to be a hero in today's world, you need more than just a costume and some good intentions. Along the way, he meets Big Daddy and Hit-Girl, two vigilantes trained by Big Daddy to help him take down the crime boss Frank D'Amico. Together, they form an unlikely trio that takes on D'Amico's empire and saves the day. Along the way, Dave also learns the importance of friendship, responsibility, and courage in the face of danger.

From Richard Donner, starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan
Rated R

Lethal Weapon is a 1987 American buddy cop action film directed by Richard Donner and starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. It follows two mismatched LAPD detectives, Martin Riggs (Gibson), a former U.S. Army Special Forces operative, and Roger Murtaugh (Glover), a veteran homicide detective, as they work together to investigate a series of drug-related murders. The film was a critical and commercial success, spawning three sequels and a television series. The film also established the buddy cop genre, which has since been imitated by numerous other films.

From David Zucker, starring Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, O.J. Simpson, Ricardo Montalban
Rated PG-13

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! is a 1988 classic spoof comedy starring Leslie Nielsen as Detective Frank Drebin. The plot follows Drebin as he investigates a bombing plot at a Los Angeles baseball stadium. As he follows the trail of clues, he meets with a variety of colorful characters and struggles to keep his cover from being blown. Along the way, Frank is aided by his former partner, Captain Ed Hocken (George Kennedy), and falls in love with Jane Spencer (Priscilla Presley). In the end, the plot is foiled by an unlikely hero and Frank and Jane live happily ever after.

From Directors: Chia-Liang Liu, Jackie Chan, starring Jackie Chan, Ho-Sung Pak, Lung Ti, Anita Mui
Rated R

The Legend of Drunken Master is a 1994 Hong Kong martial arts comedy film directed by Chia-Liang Liu and starring Jackie Chan. The film tells the story of a young kung fu practitioner, Wong Fei-hung, played by Chan, who discovers and learns a style of kung fu known as "drunken boxing", which is said to be invincible. After being challenged by a British fighter, Wong Fei-hung must use his new skills to protect his family's ancestral martial arts weapon from being stolen by a group of foreign smugglers. The film contains some of Chan's most memorable fight scenes, including a climactic battle in a fiery burning factory. Alongside its action and comedy, the film also serves as a meditation on Chinese patriotism and tradition, as well as a comment on the complex relationship between China and the West.

From Directors: Jackie Chan, Chi-Hwa Chen, starring Jackie Chan, Maggie Cheung, Brigitte Lin, Yuen Chor
Rated PG-13

Police Story is a 1985 Hong Kong action-comedy film directed by Jackie Chan and Chi-Hwa Chen. The movie stars Chan as a Hong Kong police officer named Ka-Kui Chan, who attempts to bring a notorious criminal, Chu Tao, to justice. As Chan's investigations begin to reveal Chu Tao's criminal empire and a powerful triad seeking to protect the criminal, he finds himself in the midst of a major showdown. Meanwhile, Ka-Kui's relationship with his ex-girlfriend May is tested, as he struggles to keep her safe from harm. Through a series of intense and often hilarious action sequences, Ka-Kui ultimately succeeds in bringing Chu Tao to justice.

From Martin Brest, starring Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin, Yaphet Kotto, John Ashton
Rated R

Midnight Run is a 1988 action comedy film directed by Martin Brest and starring Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin. De Niro plays Jack Walsh, an ex-cop and bounty hunter who is hired by a mob boss to retrieve his accountant, Jonathan "The Duke" Mardukas (Grodin), who has stolen $15 million. Jack reluctantly agrees as he needs the money, and sets out to bring back The Duke from New York to Los Angeles. Along the way, Jack has to contend with a relentless FBI agent (Yaphet Kotto) determined to bring him in for the theft, and a rival bounty hunter (John Ashton) hired by the mob to stop him. With his sarcastic wit and wily charm, Jack must outsmart them all to reclaim The Duke and get the reward money.

From Edgar Wright, starring Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick
Rated PG-13

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a 2010 action-comedy film based on the graphic novel series Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O'Malley. Directed by Edgar Wright, the film stars Michael Cera in the title role of Scott Pilgrim, a slacker bass guitarist and part-time delivery boy. When Scott falls in love with the mysterious Ramona Flowers, he must battle the seven evil exes of her past in order to win her heart. Along with his friends, Scott must defeat Ramona's exes before he can finally win her over. With its unique blend of comedy, romance, and action, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is one of the most critically acclaimed films of 2010.

From Shane Black, starring Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan, Corbin Bernsen
Rated R

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a black comedy and neo-noir crime film directed by Shane Black and starring Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer, and Michelle Monaghan. The film follows Harry Lockhart, a petty thief who finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation in Hollywood. As he navigates the dangerous criminal world of Los Angeles, he meets a private eye and an aspiring actress, and together they attempt to unravel the mystery. Along the way, they uncover a conspiracy that puts their lives in danger. The film is a witty and stylish homage to the classic action-comedy films of the 1970s.

From Woo-Ping Yuen, starring Jackie Chan, Siu-Tin Yuen, Jeong-lee Hwang, Dean Shek
Rated PG-13

From Martin Brest, starring Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Lisa Eilbacher
Rated R

From Barry Sonnenfeld, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino, Vincent D'Onofrio
Rated PG-13

From Stephen Chow, starring Stephen Chow, Wei Zhao, Yat-Fei Wong, Man-Tat Ng
Rated PG

From Directors: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, starring Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Brie Larson
Rated R

From Richard Donner, starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Patsy Kensit
Rated R

From Jackie Chan, starring Jackie Chan, Maggie Cheung, Kwok-Hung Lam, Bill Tung
Rated PG-13

From Brett Ratner, starring Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Ken Leung, Tom Wilkinson
Rated PG-13

From Ben Stiller, starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Jeff Kahn
Rated R

From Jay Roach, starring Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael York, Mimi Rogers
Rated PG-13

From Tony Scott, starring Bruce Willis, Damon Wayans, Chelsea Field, Noble Willingham
Rated R

From Robert Schwentke, starring Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, Mary-Louise Parker
Rated PG-13

From David Gordon Green, starring Seth Rogen, James Franco, Gary Cole, Danny McBride
Rated R

From David Zucker, starring Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, George Kennedy, O.J. Simpson
Rated PG-13