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Action Packed Buddy Movies to Watch This Weekend

5 Minute Read
Feb 17 2024
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Can’t wait for Godzilla x Kong to come out? Try one of these action-packed buddy movies to shake up your viewing habits.

What does the new Kaiju movie have to do with this list? Director Adam Wingard found inspiration in the dysfunctional relationship dynamic in 1980s buddy cop movies when writing the story for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Here are some great examples of maladjusted partnerships you can stream now.

via Warner Bros.

The Nice Guys

Gosling’s panicky, in-over-his-head detective and Crowe’s doesn’t give a crap tough play off each other brilliantly in this gritty mystery movie that really captures the era.

In 1970s Los Angeles, when down-on-his-luck private eye Holland March (Gosling) and hired enforcer Jackson Healy (Crowe) must work together to solve the case of a missing girl and the seemingly unrelated death of a porn star. During their investigation, they uncover a shocking conspiracy that reaches up to the highest circles of power.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Nicolas Cage plays Nick Cage. Pedro Pascal is superfan Javi Gutierrez. The pairing is amazing.

Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, the fictionalized version of Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous superfan. Things take a wildly unexpected turn when Cage is recruited by a CIA operative and forced to live up to his own legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters in order to save himself and his loved ones. With a career built for this very moment, the seminal award-winning actor must take on the role of a lifetime: Nick Cage.

via Lionsgate

The Blues Brothers

It tells the tale of Elwood and Jake, who are on a “mission from god” to save an orphanage by paying its back taxes. Probably the best movie to come out of a Saturday Night Live sketch. Also has the best car chase in a musical. It’s amazing.

It’s got action, comedy, and some amazing musical performances. Plus, Carrie Fisher with heavy weapons. The Blues Brothers spawned from an SNL bit by John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd; it’s directed by Jon Landis.

Hot Fuzz

You can’t really go wrong with Pegg and Frost and Wright.

Nicholas Angel is the finest cop London has to offer. He’s so good, he makes everyone else look bad. As a result, Angel’s superiors send him to a place where his talents won’t be quite so embarrassing — the sleepy and seemingly crime-free village of Sandford where they team him up with the inexperienced, puppy-like policeman Danny Butterman. Together the two find trouble where no one imagined it could be.

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via StudioCanal

Bad Boys for Life

Skipping the first two and going straight to the last in the trilogy because the chemistry between Smith and Lawrence is at its peak. The first two are fun and filled with Bruckheimer-level explosions, too. The franchise is a great marathon opportunity.

The wife and son of a Mexican drug lord embark on a vengeful quest to kill all those involved in his trial and imprisonment — including Miami Detective Mike Lowrey. When Mike gets wounded, he teams up with partner Marcus Burnett and AMMO — a special tactical squad — to bring the culprits to justice.

Midnight Run

A fresh off of The Untouchables De Niro admits that he’s great at comedy in this long-distance chase.

Eddie Moscone hires tight-lipped bounty hunter Jack Walsh to locate a mob accountant named “The Duke” and bring him to Los Angeles. Eddie tells Jack that the job will be simple, or a “midnight run.” But when Jack finds The Duke, the FBI and the mob are anxious to get their hands on him. In a cross-country chase, Jack must evade the authorities, hide from the mob and prevent The Duke’s erratic personality from driving him mad.

Die Hard with a Vengeance

Willis and Jackson are the perfect odd couple to take on an evil, horrible-sounding German accent on a phone.

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Detective John McClane  is now divorced, alcoholic and jobless after getting fired for his reckless behavior and bad attitude. He is called back into action, however, when a cryptic terrorist takes New York City hostage in a lethal game of “Simon Says” and refuses to speak with anyone but McClane. Teaming up with a street-savvy electrician named Zeus Carver, McClane dashes through the city, trying to stay one step ahead of a murderous plot.

via 20th Century Studios

Rush Hour

You can tell Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan had a blast making this movie. It’s Chan doing what he does best with Tucker’s outlandish, loud style as a balance.

Cultures clash and tempers flares as two cops who are from different worlds discovers one thing in common: they can’t stand each other. With time running out, they must join forces to catch the criminals and save the eleven-year-old Chinese girl of the Chinese consul.

48 Hours

Eddie Murphy’s first movie garnered him a Golden Globe nod. His comedic energy, mixed with Nolte’s gruff detective, makes this a great watch. Just remember it came out in 1982 while you’re watching.

Renegade cop Jack Cates pulls bank robber Reggie Hammond from a federal prison on a 48-hour leave to help him capture Hammond’s old partner, Albert Ganz . Having escaped from a prison work crew, Ganz is on a killing spree around San Francisco. He’s on the trail of half a million dollars that went missing after one of his robberies. The cocky Reggie knows where the money is, but spars with the hotheaded Jack as he enjoys his temporary freedom.

Detective Pikachu

Justice Smith and Ryan Reynolds as Picachu make a great (if not slightly weird due to Deadpool) pair in this family-friendly story of unlikely sleuths.

Ace private eye Harry Goodman goes mysteriously missing, prompting his 21-year-old son Tim to find out what happened. Aiding in the investigation is Harry’s former Pokémon partner, Detective Pikachu: a hilariously wise-cracking, adorable super-sleuth who is a puzzlement even to himself. Finding that they are uniquely equipped to communicate with one another, Tim and Pikachu join forces on a thrilling adventure to unravel the tangled mystery.

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via Legendary Pictures

Don’t Forget These Odd Couples…

  • Men in Black
  • Lethal Weapon
  • Pineapple Express
  • Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
  • Silver Streak
  • Beverly Hills Cop
  • The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

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Author: Mars Garrett
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