Bad Boys movies in order Bad Boys Marathon
Page Last Modified:
15 December 2025
Most Recent Release:
Bad Boys: Ride or Die - 2024
Total Runtime:
504 Minutes
Total Items:
4
Average User Score:
(7)Bad Boys movies in order
Grab your popcorn and your shades (yes, even indoors) and get ready for a buddy cop binge like no other. The Bad Boys franchise is one of the most iconic action-comedy series out there. If you really want to enjoy it, you need to know the right order to watch. With four movies, a spin-off series, and a lot of Miami heat, it's time to plan the ultimate Bad Boys movie marathon. Whether you're into Michael Bay's explosive action or the fresh vibe of Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, this marathon has it all: chases, laughs, bromance, and of course, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence at their best. We've got all the films and relevant media lined up, so now it's just a matter of deciding who's going to handle the snacks.
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1
Bad Boys Movie 119 min. 1995Marcus Burnett is a henpecked family man. Mike Lowrey is a footloose and fancy free ladies' man. Both Miami policemen, they have 72 hours to reclaim a consignment of drugs stolen from under their station's nose. To complicate matters, in order to get the assistance of the sole witness to a murder, they have to pretend to be each other.USER SCORE 7 -
2
Bad Boys II Movie 146 min. 2003Detectives Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowrey of the Miami Narcotics Task Force are tasked with stopping the flow of the drug Ecstasy into Miami. They track the drugs to the whacked-out Cuban drug lord Johnny Tapia, who is also involved in a bloody war with Russian and Haitian mobsters. If that isn't bad enough, there's tension between the two detectives when Marcus discovers that playboy Mike is secretly romancing Marcus’ sister, Syd.USER SCORE 7 -
3
Bad Boys for Life Movie 124 min. 2020Marcus and Mike are forced to confront new threats, career changes, and midlife crises as they join the newly created elite team AMMO of the Miami police department to take down the ruthless Armando Armas, the vicious leader of a Miami drug cartel.USER SCORE 7 -
4
Bad Boys: Ride or Die Movie 115 min. 2024After their late former Captain is framed, Lowrey and Burnett try to clear his name, only to end up on the run themselves.USER SCORE 7
Bad Boys
This is vintage buddy cop action straight from the 1990s action film era. In this movie, we meet Miami detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) for the first time, and it's clear why they're such an iconic duo. The witty banter, mind-blowing action (literally, thanks to Michael Bay), and the nonstop chemistry between Smith and Lawrence make this an instant classic. Plus, Joe Pantoliano as their perpetually frustrated Captain Howard steals every scene. It's the perfect way to start your Bad Boys movie marathon, and that awesome car chase? You won't forget it anytime soon.
Bad Boys II (2003)
Eight years later, but still as explosive: Bad Boys II takes everything to the next level. More explosions, more cars, more laughs, and more chaos in sunny Miami. This film has that classic early 2000s action movie vibe, with Michael Bay's signature style on full display. The bond between Mike and Marcus grows stronger here, with funny arguments, intense shootouts, and an undercover operation that makes things more exciting. This latest movie shows that the franchise isn't just about action; it's also about friendship in the craziest situations. And, to be honest? The highway chase is one of the best in buddy cop action-comedy history.
Bad Boys for Life (2020)
Fast forward to the 2020s action-comedy era. Bad Boys for Life brings our favorite detectives back, older but not necessarily wiser. Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah directed it, and the style is sharper and the action more modern, but the franchise's soul is still there. Mike and Marcus meet a new generation of Miami Police Department officers: the AMMO unit. These are young, high-tech officers ready for the future. Even so, it's all about that classic bromance, with a few extra wrinkles and a bunch of new challenges thrown in. This film is a great mix of nostalgia and innovation, and it's a must-see for your marathon.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)
The latest addition to the Bad Boys franchise picks up where the last one left off, with more drama, more action, and, of course, more explosions. Bad Boys: Ride or Die is all about the dynamic between our two heroes and their work with AMMO. At the same time, tensions in the police force and in other areas are reaching new heights. Adil & Bilall are back as directors, delivering a film that works not only as a sequel but also as a new phase in this trilogy plus sequel. Don't watch this film by itself; everything you've built up in the last three parts comes together here. This is the payoff you've been waiting for. Trust us, you want to be in the thick of it.
Bonus: L.A.'s Finest (2019-2020)
Okay, this isn't a "must" for your marathon, but if you want to go all-in, check out L.A.'s Finest, a TV series spin-off of the Bad Boys films. The series is about Syd Burnett (yes, Marcus's sister from Bad Boys II, played by Gabrielle Union) and her partner Nancy McKenna (Jessica Alba) in Los Angeles. It's a fresh take on the cop duo movie formula, with the same mix of humor, action, and drama. It's set in the same universe as the films, so it's a great way to pass the time between movies or watch it as a follow-up to Bad Boys: Ride or Die. Will and Martin aren't around, but there's plenty of crossover vibes to get you through a Bad Boys binge.
Why This Order Works
The Bad Boys films in order of release are also in the right chronological order, making it easy to dive in. Each film is based on the one before it, with the same characters, references to earlier missions, and a clear timeline (including gray hairs and midlife crises). Watching Bad Boys in order lets you see the full story of Mike and Marcus, and it also shows how the franchise's style and tone evolve from pure '90s chaos to sleek, modern action-comedy. Trust us, it's this evolution that makes the series so addictive.
Extras for the Die-Hard Fans
Did you know there's also a Bad Boys video game released in the 2000s? It's not the best in terms of gameplay (just a heads-up), but if you're a true fan, it's a fun side quest to enjoy after you've finished with Miami after the marathon. If you're curious about how this franchise fits into the larger world of buddy cop classics, you should also check out the work of Jerry Bruckheimer and Columbia Pictures. And yes, once you're down that rabbit hole, there are plenty of other buddy cop marathons you can plan next.
Final Tip for Your Bad Boys Movie Marathon
Plan wisely. Since there are four films, you might want to spread them over two nights or even make it a weekend project. Arrange your couch strategically, stock up on messy snacks (nachos, wings, you know the drill), and crank up the speakers because the soundtrack rocks. And most importantly? Let's watch it together. Cops and a movie just don't mix. So give your friends a ring, press play on that first film, and remind everyone: We ride together. We binge together. Bad Boys for Life is the way to go.