Rush Hour movies in order Rush Hour Marathon
Page Last Modified:
4 December 2025
Most Recent Release:
Rush Hour 3 - 2007
Total Runtime:
277 Minutes
Total Items:
4
Average User Score:
(6.7)Rush Hour movies in order
The Rush Hour films are the ultimate comfort food for fans of fast-paced action, sharp humor, and the unlikely chemistry of a buddy-cop duo. When rewatching the trilogy, there's only one way to do it right: in chronological order. No fuss, no confusion just pure enjoyment of the kung fu, culture clashes, and Carter’s unforgettable one-liners. Whether you're diving in for the first time or seeking a nostalgic throwback to the days of DVD box sets and cinema outings, this Rush Hour movie marathon never disappoints. So grab your popcorn, call that friend who always quotes Jackie Chan, and put the soundtrack on repeat. Let’s get started.
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Rush Hour Movie 97 min. 1998When Hong Kong Inspector Lee is summoned to Los Angeles to investigate a kidnapping, the FBI doesn't want any outside help and assigns cocky LAPD Detective James Carter to distract Lee from the case. Not content to watch the action from the sidelines, Lee and Carter form an unlikely partnership and investigate the case themselves.USER SCORE 7 -
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Rush Hour 2 Movie 90 min. 2001It's vacation time for Carter as he finds himself alongside Lee in Hong Kong wishing for more excitement. While Carter wants to party and meet the ladies, Lee is out to track down a Triad gang lord who may be responsible for killing two men at the American Embassy. Things get complicated as the pair stumble onto a counterfeiting plot. The boys are soon up to their necks in fist fights and life-threatening situations. A trip back to the U.S. may provide the answers about the bombing, the counterfeiting, and the true allegiance of sexy customs agent Isabella.USER SCORE 7 -
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Rush Hour 3 Movie 90 min. 2007After a botched assassination attempt, the mismatched duo finds themselves in Paris, struggling to retrieve a precious list of names, as the murderous crime syndicate's henchmen try their best to stop them. Once more, Lee and Carter must fight their way through dangerous gangsters; however, this time, the past has come back to haunt Lee. Will the boys get the job done once and for all?USER SCORE 6 -
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Rush Hour (1998)
The journey began in 1998 with the explosive debut of the Rush Hour franchise. Jackie Chan stars as Inspector Lee, a top agent from Hong Kong known for his impeccable reputation and love for discipline. Chris Tucker shines as Detective James Carter, the loud, chaotic LAPD officer who prefers talking over listening. They're paired on an FBI case when the daughter of the Chinese consul in Los Angeles is kidnapped. What follows is pure buddy-cop magic: East-meets-West comedy, classic Jackie Chan stunts, and the birth of one of the most iconic duos in action-comedy history.
Director Brett Ratner and New Line Cinema knew exactly what they were doing: delivering bloopers during the credits, a mix of martial arts action and culture clash humor, and that unforgettable moment when Carter tries to speak Chinese. It's campy, fast-paced, and utterly irresistible. If this is your first Rush Hour, prepare for a rollercoaster ride. If you're rewatching, pay attention to Tom Wilkinson as Griffin there's more behind that smile than meets the eye.
Rush Hour 2 (2001)
After the success of the first installment, it was time for the ultimate sequel: Rush Hour 2. This time, Lee takes Carter to his turf Hong Kong. The reverse culture clash leads to brilliant moments, from Carter's confusion in a massage parlor to Lee's elegant martial arts in narrow alleys. The chemistry between Chan and Tucker is even tighter, and the comedic martial arts fights reach new heights. Add a plot involving counterfeit money and Triad crime syndicates, and you have a sequel that amps up everything.
Zhang Ziyi as Hu Li introduces a new threat with her silent, deadly presence, while John Lone as Ricky Tan adds a personal touch for Lee. The casino scenes yes, those tourist trap casino scenes are highlights, as well as the hilarious karaoke sequence. And let's be honest: no one ever tires of Carter's "Don't you ever touch a black man's radio!" energy. Rush Hour 2 does exactly what a good sequel should: it builds on the original, raises the stakes, and lets the duo shine even brighter.
Rush Hour 3 (2007)
We conclude our marathon with Rush Hour 3, the most international film in the trilogy. This time, Lee and Carter travel to Paris, where an attack on the Chinese ambassador leads to a mysterious conspiracy within the highest circles of the Triads. The film throws everything into the mix: Paris chase scenes, a hilarious interlude in a monastery, and a surprising role for Roman Polanski as Commissaire Revi (yes, really). And then there's Yvan Attal as George, the French taxi driver with a love for American action films a perfect mirror for the viewer.
Emotionally, the film gains depth with the character Kenji (Hiroyuki Sanada), who has ties to Lee's past. The fight scenes, especially those in the Eiffel Tower, are choreographically brilliant and stay true to Jackie Chan's stunt style no CGI shortcuts, just pure physical comedy and timing. And yes, the clown fight scene is so absurd that it works. Rush Hour 3 wraps up the trilogy with a wink, a bang, and as always a blooper reel that leaves you wanting more.
Why You Should Watch the Rush Hour Trilogy in Order
We get it: sometimes you just want to watch your favorite installment. But trust us, a Rush Hour movie marathon in the correct order makes everything better. You see how the relationship between Lee and Carter evolves from an awkward duo to inseparable friends. You follow the development of their partnership with the FBI, their personal histories, and how their styles slowly start to mesh. The running gags get funnier each time, and the inside jokes richer.
Moreover, there's surprisingly much continuity in this classic '90s and 2000s action-comedy series. The films are enjoyable on their own, but together they form a time capsule of the genre from the rise of Hollywood martial arts films to the era of bloopers as a trademark. And let's be honest: who wouldn't want to laugh for three films straight, sing along to the Rush Hour soundtrack, and find themselves repeating Carter's most nonsensical quotes?
Tips for Your Perfect Rush Hour Binge Night
For the ultimate experience: start early in the evening, have plenty of snacks (egg rolls, anyone?), and take short breaks between the films to discuss bloopers and practice your impersonations. Set your TV to cinema mode, invite friends who have never seen the films (or those who have seen them too many times), and make it a themed night. Bonus points if someone dresses up as Carter in his Las Vegas outfit.
And if you're not done with Chan and Tucker after the trilogy? Dive into the making-ofs, check out interviews with Brett Ratner about the franchise's creation, or see if there are any rumors about Rush Hour 4. Because let's face it: who wouldn't want new adventures from the most chaotic duo since Riggs and Murtaugh?
So, start that first film, get swept up in the chaos, and remember, your marathon truly begins when you can sing "WAR! Huh! Good God y'all!" without looking up the lyrics.