Looking for the best action-comedy movies to watch right now? Start right here.
When done right, action-comedy movies are the perfect blend of adrenaline and laughs—delivering high-octane car chases one minute and laugh-out-loud punchlines the next. If you’re tired of endlessly scrolling through streaming apps in search of that perfect mix, you’ve come to the right place.
This curated list of the 20 best action-comedy movies to watch right now features everything from cult favorites to the latest box office hits. Whether you’re into buddy-cop chaos, spy spoofs or fast-talking heroes who fight and joke in equal measure, these picks are guaranteed to keep the energy high and the mood light.
Keep an eye on this list as it is updated with the latest and greatest action-comedy movies so you can be sure you’re in the loop. From Bad Boys II to The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, this list will help fans of action movies with a bit of wit stay up to date on the most popular films available.
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TOP 20 ACTION-COMEDY MOVIES TO WATCH
Let’s get started. Here are the trending action-comedy movies that TV-watchers are enjoying right now, with all the information you need to check them out for yourself.
1. ‘Bad Boys II’
↑ 34 vs. Prior Week
Action and comedy are seamlessly intertwined in the iconic thriller, Bad Boys II. Once again, Detective Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) and Mike Lowery (Will Smith) are back, taking you on an adrenaline-pumping ride where every moment is a thrilling rollercoaster that will leave you on the edge of your seat. This time around, the dynamic duo takes on a Miami drug cartel in their relentless pursuit of justice. This sequel promises high-octane explosions, laugh-out-loud moments, and a bond that shows what being a bad boy is truly about: comradeship.
2. ‘Bad Boys’
↑ 35 vs. Prior Week
The original film Bad Boys (1995) takes you on a thrilling journey with Miami-Dade detectives Mike Lowrey (played by the charming Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (brought to life by the versatile Martin Lawrence). The duo find themselves in an unusual impasse when $100 million worth of heroin they seized vanishes from station headquarters.
With only five days to recover the drugs before facing an Internal Affairs shutdown, it becomes an adrenaline-fueled race against time. Instant hilarity ensues when Marcus is forced to pose as his partner to gain the confidence of a crucial witness in their investigation. Amidst intense action, the surprise comedy this film harbors becomes a memorable cinematic experience.
3. ‘Beverly Hills Cop’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
In Beverly Hills Cop, audiences take a ride to the wild side with Detroit detective Axel Foley, played by Eddie Murphy. He’s sly, fast-talking and a rule-bender, which is a stark contrast to the uptight law enforcement in Beverly Hills.
When his best friend is murdered, he finds himself deep in the opulent playground of sunny California on an unauthorized investigation. He will fight through the culture clash and bureaucracy, proving that unconventional methods may just be the key to uncovering the truth. This mix of crime, action and comedy has stood the test of time, making it an unforgettable classic.
4. ‘Free Guy’
↑ 8 vs. Prior Week
You can always count on Ryan Reynolds to bring something a little different to your screen, and that is most definitely the case in Free Guy. The film delivers a refreshing punch of action-fueled, comedic relief as it explores an unusual case of self-awareness when a non-playable character, Guy, in a popular video game realizes he’s part of a virtual universe. As he rebels against his coded destiny, Guy must confront challenges devised by the game’s designer intent on stopping him. The film brilliantly plays with the trope of existential crisis while serving up a comedic tour de force. Get ready for mind-bending reality shifts and hilarious one-liners in this unexpected comedy action triumph.
5. ‘Beverly Hills Cop II’
↔ vs. Prior Week
Detective Axel Foley (played brilliantly once more by Eddie Murphy) returns to Beverly Hills in the popular sequel Beverly Hills Cop II. When Augie Neutron, the friend and commander of Detectives Billy Rosewood and John Taggart, is severely wounded in the line of duty, Foley comes back to help them dig into the city’s underbelly of illegal activities.
Filled with comedic thrill and suspense, the trio investigate a series of audacious heists led by a master criminal. This is a film where the glitz and glamour of Beverly Hills meet gritty police action, with Murphy’s quick wit and irrepressible bravado stealing the show.
6. ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
Step into the wild ride and endless adventure of The Dukes of Hazzard (1979). Watch as the good ol’ boy brothers Bo (Seann William Scott) and Luke Duke (Johnny Knoxville) rev through the heart of rural Hazzard County, Georgia, delivering moonshine from their spirited Uncle Jesse (Willie Nelson). But when they discover the crooked political powerhouse Boss Hogg (Burt Reynolds) is ousting farmers to peddle their land to a ruthless coal mining scheme, they team up with their attractive cousin Daisy (Jessica Simpson) to resist. An unbeatable blend of high-speed chases, southern charm, and brotherly love, this film will keep you on the edge of your seat.
7. ‘The Hitman’s Bodyguard’
↑ 7 vs. Prior Week
Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled ride with The Hitman’s Bodyguard, a thrilling action-comedy film that pits two of Hollywood’s biggest stars against each other. Ryan Reynolds stars as Michael Bryce, a top-notch bodyguard reluctantly tasked with protecting his arch enemy, Darius Kincaid, a notorious hitman played by Samuel L. Jackson.
Amidst high-speed car chases, witty banter and deadly confrontations, a budding camaraderie blooms between the mismatched duo. Balancing suspense and humor with unexpected friendship, The Hitman’s Bodyguard is a dynamic movie full of perilous escapades that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat.
8. ‘Vacation’
↑ 43 vs. Prior Week
In 2006’s Vacation, experience an unforgettable and amusing journey with the next-generation Griswolds, led by Rusty (Ed Helms), who plans a surprise cross-country trip to America’s favorite fun park, Walley World. Hoping to recreate his own cherished childhood memories, Rusty sets off with his wife (Christina Applegate) and two sons, only to find their family bonding takes hilariously unexpected turns. Drawing a parallel from his father’s (Chevy Chase) previous escapades, Rusty’s good intentions lead him onto a winding path of side-splitting misadventures. Vacation is indeed a comic delight that encapsulates the unforeseen chaos of a picture-perfect American road trip.
9. ‘Tommy Boy’
↓ 6 vs. Prior Week
Dive into the comedy classic of 1995, Tommy Boy. When the endearing yet dimwitted Tommy Callahan, excellently portrayed by Chris Farley, inherits his father’s struggling automobile parts factory, he stubbornly refuses to give up on his father’s legacy. Joined by his father’s high-strung assistant Richard, played by the hilarious David Spade, Tommy embarks on a road trip across America in a desperate bid to find new clients. At the same time, he must outwit his cunning stepmother Beverly, who has set her eyes on the factory fortune. This laugh-out-loud rollercoaster of a journey is driven by heart, hilarity, and the unique chemistry between Farley and Spade.
10. ‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw’
↑ 34 vs. Prior Week
In 2019’s adrenaline-fueled blockbuster Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, we are thrust into a high stakes battle between humanity and technology. The villainous Brixton Lorr, a cybernetically enhanced soldier equipped with superhuman strength and a lethal pathogen, poses a catastrophic threat to human existence. The world’s only hope lies in the hands of unlikely allies, the hulking lawman Luke Hobbs and rogue operative Deckard Shaw. These two must put their bitter history aside and unite against a common enemy with almost indestructible power. This thrilling action saga promises high-speed chases, breathtaking confrontations and a riveting saga of survival.
11. ‘Men in Black 3’
↑ 14 vs. Prior Week
In Men in Black 3, nothing is as it seems in this thrilling continuation to the iconic sci-fi franchise. Will Smith reprising his role as Agent J, is compelled to embark on a chilling journey through time to save his sardonic partner, Agent K, played by Tommy Lee Jones.
Here, he encounters the puzzling secrets of the youthful Agent K, portrayed by Josh Brolin, ultimately unraveling the core of the Men in Black Organization. Filled with hi-tech gadgets, peculiar creatures and mind-boggling plot twists, it’s an exhilarating blend of comedy and velocity, sure to keep you at the edge of your seat.
12. ‘Men in Black’
↑ 9 vs. Prior Week
Men in Black is a must-see cinematic masterpiece that fuses comedy with science fiction in a never-before-seen manner. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones bring to life the characters of Agent J and Agent K, two secretive government agents.
Their mission? Protecting Earth from intergalactic threats and maintaining the veil of secrecy around the existence of aliens on Earth. The first in what has become an iconic series, Men in Black offers a thrilling and hilarious story filled with wild alien encounters and a stunning reveal of the secrets that exist in the least expected places.
13. ’22 Jump Street’
↑ 18 vs. Prior Week
In the 2014 film 22 Jump Street, undercover officers Jenko (Channing Tatum) and Schmidt (Jonah Hill) smoothly navigated their way through high school, but a local college investigation brings about unforeseen challenges. With Jenko finding a comrade on the football team and Schmidt burrowing into the eclectic arts-major scene, their working relationship comes into question.
As they struggle to crack the case, they also grapple with maturing and acting their age. 22 Jump Street is a hilarious adventure that reminds us that growing up is just as confusing the second time around.
14. ‘We’re the Millers’
↓ 6 vs. Prior Week
We’re the Millers is a riotous comedy that will leave you in stitches, with just the right amount of action. Jason Sudeikis takes center stage as small-time Denver pot dealer David Clark, who, in a desperate attempt to clear a debt, becomes an unlikely drug mule smuggling narcotics across the Mexican border. He recruits the strait-laced stripper Rose (a dazzling performance by Jennifer Aniston), hapless teen Kenny and street-smart runaway Casey (Emma Roberts in a transformative role), to pose as a typical American family.
What commences is a road trip filled with surprising twists, uproarious predicaments and unexpected bonds. This hilarious film shrewdly blends the comedy with unexpected moments of genuine warmth.
15. ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation’
↓ 4 vs. Prior Week
Join Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), his wife, Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) and their kids in the classic road trip comedy, National Lampoon’s Vacation. Determined to give their children (Dana Barron, Anthony Michael Hall) the perfect California amusement park vacation, the couple faces a series of comic misadventures.
From car troubles to unexpected family tragedies and Clark’s ongoing obsession with a mysterious woman driving a flashy sports car, there’s never a dull moment. But as Clark’s worry grows that their dream holiday is going off the rails, he takes an impulsive leap to ensure they make it to the park. Relive their hilariously chaotic journey, that encapsulates the essence of every family’s road trip nightmare.
16. ’21 Jump Street’
↑ 16 vs. Prior Week
Revisit your most awkward high school years in 21 Jump Street (2012), a hilarious action comedy featuring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as Schmidt and Jenko. These young-looking cops ditch their badges for backpacks when they go undercover as high school students, tasked to bust a risky drug ring. However, they soon find out that high school isn’t as they remember.
The pair not only have to deal with the perplexities of contemporary teen life but must also face the fears and anxieties they thought they had left behind. This unpredictable ride, filled with jest and suspense, will leave you in stitches and on the edge of your seat.
17. ‘Red’
↑ 49 vs. Prior Week
Embarking on a journey of suspense, action and humor, Red is a cinematic tour-de-force that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Starring Bruce Willis as Frank Moses, a retired black-ops CIA agent, who finds himself and his peaceful life targeted by high-tech assassins.
Bringing together a team of his old comrades, this thrilling masterpiece showcases incredible stunts and heart-stopping moments as they draw upon their old-school methods to counter a lethal new threat.
18. ‘ Red 2’
↑ 50 vs. Prior Week
In Red 2, the retired and extremely dangerous agents are at it again. Bruce Willis reprises his role as Frank Moses, once again flanked by the quirky, loveable rogue team he must reluctantly lead. When word of a deadly nuclear bomb, previously thought lost, starts to surface, Frank and his gang of retired spies are called back into action.
As they traverse the globe in this action-packed thrill ride, brace yourself for unexpected adversaries, unforeseen alliances and unlimited sassy comic relief by John Malkovich’s character. This sequel to the highly successful Red amps up the game, strategically, from start to finish. A must-watch for fans of action and comedy.
19. ‘Spy’
↑ 15 vs. Prior Week
Released in 2015, Spy is an unexpectedly hilarious yet thrilling movie featuring the humble CIA analyst Susan Cooper, brought to life by the talented Melissa McCarthy. Occupying a backstage role, Susan has been the unacknowledged hero, constantly guiding the dashing agent Bradley Fine, played by Jude Law, through perilous missions. But when Bradley is brutally assassinated by the merciless Bulgarian arms dealer Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne), Susan steps out of the shadows, embarking on her first undercover mission. From her cubicle to the center of a dangerous criminal ring, Spy is an exhilarating adventure of justice, bravery, and unassuming power.
20. ‘The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard’
↑ 66 vs. Prior Week
The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is an adrenaline-pumping thrill ride that refuses to take its foot off the gas pedal. In this sequel, Ryan Reynolds returns as beleaguered bodyguard Michael Bryce, who’s once again enlisted by elite hitman Darius Kincaid, played by Samuel L. Jackson.
This time, however, the stakes are even higher as they must protect the notorious hitman’s equally infamous wife, Sonia Kincaid (Salma Hayek). Brace yourself for an action-packed, humor-drenched wild romp across Europe that pulls no punches and delivers punchlines with equal ferocity. Buckle up for a comedy-action hybrid that hits its marks with expert precision.
And there you have it: the most popular action-comedy movies to stream at home this week. Stay tuned for updates to come so you can keep up with the best content available right now.
Watch Guide Methodology: Using proprietary viewership data, DIRECTV Insider curates lists of the most popular TV shows and movies being watched by real people, in real time, to help you pick the best trending content to watch across networks. Our rolling data collection also allows readers to see how a trending show’s ranking has changed week over week.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the most popular action-comedy films?
We're the Millers, 21 Jump Street, The Hitman's Bodyguard, Men in Black, Napolean Dynamite
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