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When it comes to action, drama and unforgettable characters, few genres deliver like the classic cop movie. From car chases and shootouts to tense interrogations and courtroom drama, movies about police officers have long captivated audiences with their blend of suspense, justice and moral complexity. But what makes a film truly one of the best police movies of all time?
A cop movie typically centers on law enforcement officers — detectives, beat cops, special agents or undercover operatives — who are tasked with enforcing the law and confronting crime. These top cop films often explore themes of justice, corruption, loyalty and sacrifice, offering a cinematic look into the challenges and triumphs of life behind the badge.
Not all cop movies are gritty dramas or action-packed thrillers — some take a more comedic approach and still achieve legendary status. A great example is the Police Academy series, one of the most recognizable and enduring cop movie franchises in film history. Known for its slapstick humor, quirky characters and over-the-top antics, Police Academy became a cult classic cop film that struck a chord with audiences worldwide. What started as a single film in 1984 turned into a phenomenon, spawning seven Police Academy movies released between 1984 and 1994.
In this podcast, Policing Matters podcast host Jim Dudley and former Police1 editor Doug Wyllie discuss their favorite cop films. After reading their list, check out our podcast on the best cop shows in TV history.
L.A. Confidential
This neo-noir tackles police corruption in Los Angeles during the 1950s.
Chinatown
Jack Nicholson plays a private investigator in this Southland neo-noir inspired by the California Water Wars.
Tombstone
This Western was loosely based on the famous shootout at the O.K. Corral.
Se7en
Dark and brutal, this thriller stars Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as they chase after a killer who selects his victims based on the seven deadly sins.
Dirty Harry
The Clint Eastwood starring 1971 classic spawned a ton of sequels and imitators.
The Usual Suspects
This neo-noir is most famously known for its epic plot twist.
The Silence of the Lambs
This groundbreaking 1991 thriller was the third film in history to win Oscars in all of the top five categories.
Minority Report
Many of the predictions this 2002 sci-fi film made about the future ultimately came true.
Sicario, Hell or High Water, Wind River
This critically-acclaimed trio of films comes from Taylor Sheridan, who directed the latter and wrote the scripts for all three.
The Usual Suspects
This neo-noir is most famously known for its epic plot twist.
Bullitt
Steve McQueen stars in this San Francisco thriller featuring a legendary car chase.
The Naked Gun
The first installment of this comedy series features O.J. Simpson — yes, that O.J. — in a role.
If you are a fan of the Naked Gun series, be advised that a new installment in the Naked Gun movie franchise is scheduled to be released on August 1, 2025. It serves as a standalone sequel to Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994) and the fourth film in The Naked Gun franchise. The film stars Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr., alongside Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddy Yu and Danny Huston.
Die Hard
Arguably the greatest Christmas film. Yippie-ki-yay.
The French Connection
This 1971 film took home multiple Oscars including Best Picture. Gene Hackman, who won Best Actor, plays a detective chasing down French drug smugglers.
The Town
Ben Affleck directed this crime thriller that follows a group of Boston bank robbers.
The Kingdom
This picture stars Jamie Foxx as part of an FBI team tasked with investigating a terrorist cell in Saudi Arabia.
Jack Reacher
Tom Cruise plays the titular character based on the popular book series. Christopher McQuarrie, the film’s director, has also teamed with Cruise on a number of the Mission: Impossible films.
Blade Runner
This cult classic starring Harrison Ford is a sci-fi neo-noir with a famously ambiguous ending.
End of Watch
You’ve probably already seen or read the opening monologue to this 2012 film by “Training Day” screenwriter David Ayer, but the rest of the movie is also worthy of your attention.
Pop quiz: How many Police Academy movies are there?
While our hosts did not include the Police Academy movies in their list, we know the series is a big favorite with Police1 readers. There are seven Police Academy movies in total. This popular cop comedy movie franchise began in 1984 and became one of the most recognizable names in the funniest police movies category. Known for its slapstick humor, quirky characters and cult following, the Police Academy series remains a favorite among fans of classic police films. Which one is your favorite?
- Police Academy (1984) – The one that started it all, introducing the lovable misfits of the police training program.
- Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985) – The graduates hit the streets — and chaos follows.
- Police Academy 3: Back in Training (1986) – Budget cuts threaten the academy, so the team returns to save the day.
- Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987) – The squad takes on a new initiative to train civilians.
- Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach (1988) – The team heads south for a convention … and a crime caper.
- Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989) – A mysterious mastermind is behind a wave of crime.
- Police Academy: Mission to Moscow (1994) – The crew travels overseas for one last wild ride.
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This article, originally published on October 27, 2017, has been updated with additional content about police movies, information about the Police Academy movie series and several movie trailers.
