Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker's beloved buddy-cop comedy Rush Hour is finding a new generation of fans on streaming. The 1998 action-comedy recently climbed to No. 9 on Netflix's Top 10 Movies chart, sandwiched between Sniper: The Last Stand and The Birthday Gift. This resurgence comes amid ongoing chatter about a potential fourth film in the franchise, which has been in development limbo for years.
The original Rush Hour introduced audiences to LAPD Detective James Carter (Tucker) and Hong Kong Chief Inspector Lee (Chan), who are forced to partner up when a Chinese diplomat's daughter is kidnapped in Los Angeles. Their clashing personalities and cultures provide plenty of laughs, while their action chops deliver thrilling set pieces. The film was a massive hit, grossing over $245 million worldwide against a modest $35 million budget, and it earned a 64% critics' score and a 79% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The success of the first film spawned two sequels. Rush Hour 2 (2001) followed the duo to Hong Kong to investigate a bombing at the U.S. Consulate, grossing an impressive $347 million worldwide. While critics were less enthusiastic, audiences embraced the sequel, which also earned accolades at the Kids' Choice Awards and MTV Movie Awards. Rush Hour 3 (2007) took the pair to Paris to thwart a criminal conspiracy, but it received poor reviews (18% on Rotten Tomatoes) despite a solid $258 million global haul. Combined, the trilogy has earned over $850 million worldwide.
Now, with the first film's streaming resurgence, interest in a fourth installment has been reignited. Chan has previously expressed willingness to return if the script is strong, and in 2025, reports emerged that former President Donald Trump was pushing to revive the franchise with director Brett Ratner attached. However, no concrete updates have surfaced since, leaving fans to speculate.
This isn't the only nostalgic property finding new life on streaming. For instance, Chris Pratt's upcoming Apple TV+ project is generating buzz, while other franchises like Hogwarts Legacy are also making headlines. But Rush Hour's enduring appeal lies in its perfect blend of action and comedy, a formula that still resonates with audiences today.
As streaming platforms continue to mine the past for hits, Rush Hour's success on Netflix is a testament to its lasting popularity. Whether a fourth movie ever materializes remains uncertain, but for now, fans can enjoy the original trilogy's mix of martial arts mayhem and buddy-comedy charm. And with the franchise's box office pedigree, it's no wonder Hollywood keeps circling back to it.
For those who haven't revisited Rush Hour in a while, now is the perfect time to catch up on the action. And if you're in the mood for more classic action-comedy, you might also enjoy ranking the Daniel Craig Bond films or checking out how other action series are performing on streaming.
