15 best action comedy movies to watch in 2025
Looking for the perfect blend of thrilling action and laugh-out-loud comedy? 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for action comedy fans, with several highly anticipated releases featuring star-studded casts and promising storylines.
New action comedy movies coming in 2025
Back in Action
Marking Cameron Diaz’s eagerly awaited return to the big screen, ”Back in Action” follows a former CIA couple whose quiet domestic life is upended when their secret identities are exposed. Starring alongside Jamie Foxx, this action-packed comedy promises to deliver both thrills and laughs when it releases on January 17, 2025. The stellar cast also includes Andrew Scott, Glenn Close, and Kyle Chandler.
Love Hurts
From the creators of ”Nobody” and ”Violent Night” comes an exciting new action comedy starring Ke Huy Quan. Set for release on February 7, 2025, the film follows a mild-mannered realtor harboring a mysterious past. With its unique premise and talented lead, ”Love Hurts” is poised to be one of the year’s most entertaining releases.
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
While not strictly a comedy, this highly anticipated spin-off from the John Wick universe combines intense action with witty dialogue. Starring Ana de Armas as a trained assassin with a ballet background, and featuring appearances from Keanu Reeves and Ian McShane, this film hits theaters on June 6, 2025. Early buzz suggests it will maintain the high standards set by the John Wick franchise while adding its own unique flair.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Tom Cruise returns for what promises to be an explosive conclusion to the Mission: Impossible saga. Set for release on May 21, 2025, this eighth installment sees Ethan Hunt facing off against the mysterious Entity while dealing with the menacing Gabriel. The film combines the series’ signature action sequences with moments of levity, supported by returning cast members Simon Pegg and Hayley Atwell.
Paddington in Peru
Following the enormous success of its predecessors, Paddington’s third outing takes our beloved bear back to his Peruvian roots. Drawing inspiration from Werner Herzog’s films, this family-friendly action comedy releases on February 14, 2025. The film features Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, and new addition Antonio Banderas.
Heart Eyes
This unique blend of horror and action comedy follows two coworkers mistaken for a couple by a deadly killer. Starring Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding, the film cleverly combines thrills with humor when it releases on February 7, 2025. Early previews indicate it will offer a fresh take on both genres while delivering plenty of entertainment value.
With such a diverse lineup of action comedies hitting screens in 2025, there’s something for everyone – from spy thrillers and supernatural adventures to family-friendly fare. These upcoming releases demonstrate the continuing evolution of the action comedy genre while promising to deliver the perfect balance of excitement and entertainment.
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Best classic action comedy movies of all time
While 2025 brings exciting new releases to the action comedy genre, several classic films have set the gold standard that modern movies aspire to match. These timeless favorites continue to entertain audiences with their perfect blend of laughs and thrills.
Deadpool (2016)
Ryan Reynolds stars in this genre-defining film that revolutionized superhero action comedies. The story follows Wade Wilson, a former Special Forces operative who gains accelerated healing powers through an experimental treatment. With its fourth-wall-breaking humor and intense action sequences, Deadpool earned widespread critical acclaim and became a massive box office success. The film’s unique approach to combining action and comedy has influenced countless movies since its release.
Hot Fuzz (2007)
Edgar Wright’s masterpiece follows Nicholas Angel, an overachieving London police officer transferred to a seemingly peaceful village. Starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, this British action comedy perfectly balances witty dialogue with explosive action sequences. The film’s clever writing and direction earned it recognition as one of the best action comedies of the 2000s, with a remarkable critical reception.
Rush Hour (1998)
This buddy cop classic pairs Jackie Chan’s martial arts expertise with Chris Tucker’s rapid-fire comedy. When a Chinese diplomat’s daughter is kidnapped in Los Angeles, Detective James Carter (Tucker) and Inspector Lee (Chan) must overcome their cultural differences to solve the case. The film’s success spawned two sequels and established a blueprint for cross-cultural action comedies.
The Mask (1994)
Jim Carrey delivers an unforgettable performance as Stanley Ipkiss, a bank clerk who discovers a magical mask that transforms him into a cartoon-like superhero. The film’s blend of slapstick comedy, impressive visual effects, and action sequences created a unique entertainment experience that still holds up today. The Mask remains a fan favorite for its creative approach to the genre.
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Eddie Murphy stars as Detective Axel Foley, a Detroit cop who heads to Beverly Hills to investigate his friend’s murder. The film perfectly showcases Murphy’s comedic talents while delivering compelling action sequences. Beverly Hills Cop’s influence on the action comedy genre cannot be overstated, with its success leading to multiple sequels and inspiring countless similar films.
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Stephen Chow’s martial arts comedy masterpiece follows a wannabe gangster in 1940s Shanghai who discovers his true calling as a kung fu master. The film’s unique combination of over-the-top action, slapstick comedy, and heartfelt moments created something truly special. Its innovative approach to action comedy earned critical acclaim and established it as a modern classic in the genre.
These classic action comedies have stood the test of time thanks to their perfect balance of humor and excitement, memorable characters, and innovative approaches to storytelling. Their influence continues to shape new releases in the genre, including many of the anticipated movies coming in 2025.
Top action comedy movies on Netflix and streaming
Streaming platforms have become a go-to destination for action comedy fans, offering a wide selection of both classic and contemporary titles. Here are some of the most entertaining action comedies currently available on major streaming services.
Netflix highlights
Netflix has invested heavily in original action comedies while also maintaining a strong catalog of existing hits. ”Red Notice” emerged as one of Netflix’s biggest successes, featuring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot in a globe-trotting heist adventure that perfectly balances action and humor. The platform also offers critically acclaimed titles like ”Free Guy,” which cleverly combines video game culture with action-comedy elements.
Prime Video selections
Amazon’s streaming service hosts several standout action comedies, including the ”Rush Hour” trilogy, which showcases the legendary partnership between Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. The platform also features newer releases like ”The Lost City,” combining romance, action, and comedy in an adventure-filled narrative that has earned strong reviews.
Disney+ offerings
Disney+ has become a major player in the action-comedy space, particularly with its Marvel content. The platform hosts ”Deadpool” and its sequel, which revolutionized the superhero genre with their unique blend of irreverent humor and intense action sequences. The streaming service also features family-friendly options like ”Zootopia,” which cleverly incorporates action elements into its animated storytelling.
Hidden streaming gems
Beyond the major platforms, several excellent action comedies can be found on various streaming services. ”Hot Fuzz,” available on multiple platforms, remains a brilliant satire of action movies while delivering genuine thrills and laughs. The film’s success demonstrates how British humor can effectively blend with Hollywood-style action sequences.
Another notable mention is ”The Nice Guys,” which pairs Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling in a 1970s detective story that masterfully combines noir elements with comedy and action. This underappreciated gem has found new life through streaming platforms, where audiences continue to discover its unique charm.
Recent streaming additions
Streaming services regularly update their catalogs with new action comedies. Recent additions include ”Bullet Train,” featuring Brad Pitt in a fast-paced adventure that combines martial arts action with quirky humor. These newer entries show how the genre continues to evolve while maintaining its core appeal of mixing thrills with laughs.
Family-friendly action comedy films
Looking for action-packed entertainment that the whole family can enjoy? Here’s our curated selection of family-friendly action comedy movies that deliver laughs and thrills while keeping the content suitable for all ages.
Paddington Peru (2025)
The beloved bear returns in what promises to be another charming adventure, this time taking Paddington back to his Peruvian roots. With Ben Whishaw reprising his role as the voice of Paddington, alongside Emily Mortimer and Hugh Bonneville, this third installment maintains the series’ signature blend of heartwarming humor and gentle action sequences. Antonio Banderas joins the cast, adding extra star power to this highly anticipated family release.
Classic family favorites
Several established action comedies have proven their worth as perfect family entertainment over the years. These films combine exciting action sequences with clean humor and positive messages:
- The Princess Bride (1987) – A timeless fantasy adventure mixing swashbuckling action with clever wit and memorable characters
- Night at the Museum series – Ben Stiller leads these entertaining adventures that blend historical figures with family-friendly action and comedy
- Spy Kids franchise – These movies feature young protagonists in exciting spy missions while keeping the action appropriate for children
Superhero action comedies for families
The superhero genre has produced several family-friendly action comedies that appeal to viewers of all ages. These films typically feature:
- Lighter takes on superhero themes
- Positive messages about teamwork and courage
- Action sequences that excite without being too intense
- Humor that works on multiple levels for both children and adults
A great example is ”Free Guy” (2021), which follows a video game character discovering his true identity. While not strictly a superhero movie, it shares many elements with the genre and delivers family-friendly action comedy entertainment that resonates with viewers of all ages.
What makes a great family-friendly action comedy
When selecting action comedies for family viewing, look for films that balance these key elements:
- Age-appropriate humor without crude content
- Action sequences that create excitement without excessive violence
- Strong moral messages and positive role models
- Engaging storylines that appeal to both children and adults
- Character development that emphasizes growth and learning
As we look forward to new releases in 2025, movies like ”Paddington Peru” continue to demonstrate how action and comedy can be combined effectively for family audiences. These films prove that you don’t need mature content to create engaging, exciting entertainment that the whole family can enjoy together.
Most popular action comedy movie franchises
Action comedy franchises have dominated box office charts for decades, combining thrilling sequences with laugh-out-loud moments. Here are some of the most successful and beloved action comedy series that have captivated audiences worldwide.
The Rush Hour trilogy
The Rush Hour franchise, starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, revolutionized the buddy cop genre with its perfect blend of martial arts action and cultural comedy. The series follows the misadventures of a Hong Kong detective and an LAPD officer as they solve international crimes while navigating their cultural differences. With its successful formula, the franchise has grossed over $850 million worldwide, making it one of the most profitable action comedy series.
Deadpool series
Ryan Reynolds’ portrayal of the wise-cracking mercenary Wade Wilson has created one of the most successful modern action comedy franchises. The Deadpool series stands out for its unique approach to superhero storytelling, combining brutal action sequences with meta-humor and fourth-wall breaks. With Deadpool & Wolverine set to release in 2025, the franchise continues to evolve and expand its reach.
The Knives Out collection
While primarily a mystery series, the Knives Out franchise has carved its niche in the action comedy genre with its witty dialogue and thrilling sequences. Starting with the 2019 original, the series follows Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) as he solves increasingly complex cases. The upcoming ”Wake Up Dead Man” in 2025 promises to maintain the franchise’s signature blend of humor, action, and intrigue.
Mission: Impossible series
Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible franchise has masterfully balanced intense action with moments of levity throughout its run. The upcoming ”The Final Reckoning” in 2025 continues this tradition, promising both spectacular stunts and humorous interactions between its ensemble cast.
The Paddington series
While not traditionally categorized as an action comedy, the Paddington franchise has successfully incorporated action sequences with its signature British humor. The series has garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, with Paddington Peru (2025) set to expand the beloved bear’s adventures with inspiration from Werner Herzog’s filmmaking style.
These franchises demonstrate the enduring appeal of action comedies, with each series bringing its unique take on the genre while maintaining the essential elements that audiences love – thrilling action sequences combined with genuine laughs and memorable characters.
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