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Movies like

48 Hrs.

Loved the vibe? Here are ten films that hit similar notes—with match scores, reasons to watch, and where to stream in the US.

48 Hrs. poster

Why people love it

Audiences latched onto 48 Hrs. (1982) as a crime theatrical experience: big enough for a group watch, specific enough to reward a second viewing once you know where it's headed. The crime and action blend is the engine: it lets the film shift registers without feeling like two different movies stitched together.

crimeactioncomedydivisive

Runtime 1h 36m · ★ 6.7

Your 10 recommendations

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  1. 96match

    1.Hot Fuzz (2007)

    7.6 · Crime · Action · Comedy · 2h 1m

    Why you'll love it

    Hot Fuzz (2007) is the natural next step after 48 Hrs.: same crime DNA, different perspective. The funny streak and action elevate it well above a simple genre exercise.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
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    • Amazon Video(Buy)
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  2. 94match

    2.Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

    7.2 · Comedy · Crime · Action · 1h 45m

    Why you'll love it

    Fans of 48 Hrs. who respond to its crime will find Beverly Hills Cop (1984) immediately familiar. Both films share a action sensibility without ever feeling like carbon copies of each other.

    Watch on

    • Paramount Plus Essential
    • Peacock Premium
    • AMC Plus Apple TV Channel
    • AMC+ Amazon Channel
    • AMC+ Roku Premium Channel
    • AMC+
    • YouTube TV
    • Peacock Premium Plus
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  3. 92match

    3.Rush Hour 2 (2001)

    6.8 · Action · Comedy · Crime · 1h 30m

    Why you'll love it

    There's a reason 48 Hrs. fans keep landing on Rush Hour 2 (2001) — the crime is unmistakably related even when the plots diverge. Both films operate on the same emotional frequency, especially in their third acts.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
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    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    + Save for later
  4. 90match

    4.Rush Hour 3 (2007)

    6.5 · Action · Comedy · Crime · 1h 30m

    Why you'll love it

    Rush Hour 3 draws from the same crime well as 48 Hrs., channeling action in ways that feel unmistakably related. The 2007 film makes a natural companion watch — similar in spirit but distinctly its own.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
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    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Spectrum On Demand(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    + Save for later
  5. 88match

    5.Tango & Cash (1989)

    6.5 · Action · Thriller · Comedy · 1h 44m

    Why you'll love it

    Tango & Cash (1989) captures the crime appeal of 48 Hrs. without simply imitating it. The action streak running through both films is what puts Tango & Cash at the top of any "if you liked…" shortlist.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
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    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
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    + Save for later
  6. 86match

    6.Lethal Weapon (1987)

    7.3 · Action · Thriller · Crime · 1h 50m

    Why you'll love it

    The crime appeal of 48 Hrs. — that dark edge, the action — translates cleanly into Lethal Weapon (1987). Different setting, same essential satisfaction.

    Watch on

    • MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Spectrum On Demand(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    • Google Play Movies(Buy)
    + Save for later
  7. 84match

    7.Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)

    6.7 · Action · Thriller · Crime · 1h 58m

    Why you'll love it

    The filmmakers behind Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) clearly understood what makes crime work — the same quality that keeps 48 Hrs. rewatchable. Expect the same dark rhythm, executed with a fresh angle.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
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    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Spectrum On Demand(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
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    + Save for later
  8. 82match

    8.Magnum Force (1973)

    7.1 · Drama · Crime · Action · 2h 4m

    Why you'll love it

    Magnum Force (1973) is the kind of film 48 Hrs. fans discover and immediately send to their group chat. The crime overlap is real, but it's the tense emotional pull that seals the recommendation.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
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    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
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    + Save for later
  9. 80match

    9.Dragged Across Concrete (2019)

    6.6 · Crime · Action · Thriller · 2h 39m

    Why you'll love it

    Dragged Across Concrete shares 48 Hrs.'s gift for crime — the 2019 film delivers action without overstaying its welcome. Consider it required viewing once you've finished rewatching your first pick.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Prime Video
    • Amazon Prime Video with Ads
    • MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    + Save for later
  10. 78match

    10.Sudden Impact (1983)

    6.5 · Thriller · Crime · Action · 1h 57m

    Why you'll love it

    Much of what makes 48 Hrs. compelling — the crime, the action — shows up in Sudden Impact (1983) in a slightly different form. Both films understand that dark storytelling works best when it trusts the audience.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
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    + Save for later

FAQ

What should I watch after 48 Hrs.?
Try Hot Fuzz, Beverly Hills Cop, Rush Hour 2—each shares DNA with 48 Hrs. while changing the setting enough to feel fresh.
What genre is 48 Hrs.?
48 Hrs. (1982) is best described as Crime, Action, Comedy. Stores and algorithms use different labels, but that mix is what fans actually recognize on a rewatch.
Is 48 Hrs. part of a franchise?
Yes—it's part of the "48 Hrs. Collection" storyline. You can enjoy it standalone, but sequels and tie-ins build on characters and continuity established here.

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