Running Scared

Play trailer

Running Scared

R

1986

1h 46m

Action

Comedy

Crime

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

58%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Ray and Danny (Gregory Hines, Billy Crystal) are two Chicago police detectives hot on the trail of drug kingpin Julio Gonzales (Jimmy Smits). They manage to nab the drug lord, but the bust is messy, and the two are suspended. While vacationing in Key West, Fla., they decide to retire from the police force and open up a bar. But when they return to Chicago and find out that Gonzales has been released on bail, they vow not to quit the force until the dangerous dealer is behind bars for good.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Running Scared struggles to strike a consistent balance between violent action and humor, but the chemistry between its well-matched leads keeps things entertaining.

Read Critics Reviews

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

"Running Scared" tries to be a light comedy in a violent, comic-book world. That's a difficult juggling act, and director Peter Hyams doesn't pull it off.

May 27, 2014

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

A functional 1986 actioner about two wisecracking Chicago cops (Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal) and their vendetta against a Latino crime lord (Jimmy Smits).

May 27, 2014

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

No more original or eventful than an average police TV show, so it must sink or swim on the moment-by-moment cleverness of the dialog and the behavioral talents of Hines and Crystal. Fortunately, these elements prove formidable.

May 27, 2014

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

While the 1980s were frequently a safe haven for such disastrous, what-were-they-thinking? screen teams as Pat Morita & Jay Leno (Collision Course) and Ted Danson & Howie Mandel (A Fine Mess), this offered a “buddy comedy” pairing that actually worked.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2024

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…a good example of how slick, immoral and yet somehow wholesome the simple formula for an old-school cops and robbers movie can be….

Rated: 3/5

Aug 23, 2023

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a fairly standard buddy-cop comedy that benefits from its top-notch performances and smattering of engrossing, exciting action sequences...

Rated: 3/4

Mar 7, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

J p

The greatest cop buddy movie ever made in my opinion and the opinion of many that are on the job!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

Full Review

alan g

Lousy Buddy movie. Very disrespectful of police.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/25

Full Review

Christian K

A decent buddy cop romp, wish there was more Key West scenes, action wasn't great but an all around serviceable time and movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/04/25

Full Review

Mark T

Running Scared is a good buddy cop action movie, but it's no Lethal Weapon. It's NOT a Christmas movie, there are no Christmas scenes.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/04/25

Full Review

Matt D

Gold fu$ckin gem of a movie. If you lived in the 80’s, you know Billy Crystal is a national treasure and this campy movie is a perfect example. Just watch and enjoy

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/02/24

Full Review

Ath 7

One of the most underrated movies of the 80s. Great chemistry between the two leads and a strong supporting cast. The movie has plenty of action and is very funny. A must watch!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/08/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Peter Hyams

Director

Gregory Hines

Ray Hughes

Billy Crystal

Danny Costanzo

Jimmy Smits

Julio Gonzales

Steven Bauer

Det. Frank Sigliano

Darlanne Fluegel

Anna Costanzo

Running Scared: Official Clip - Hablo Smith & Wesson?

1:40

Running Scared: Official Clip - Pants Drop

2:28

Running Scared: Official Clip - Must Be the Vest

2:06

Running Scared: Official Clip - You're Mugging Us?

2:26

Running Scared: Official Clip - Forced Vacation

1:32

Running Scared: Official Clip - I Got Him!

1:42

Running Scared: Official Clip - State Building Shootout

2:43

Running Scared: Official Clip - Cops vs. Trash Compactor

2:12

Running Scared: Official Clip - Police Line-Up

1:36

Running Scared: Official Clip - Entrapping the Cops

2:26

View more videos

The January Man

28%

30%

The January Man

Watchlist

Action Jackson

19%

35%

Action Jackson

Watchlist

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

75%

93%

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Watchlist

Masquerade

50%

51%

Masquerade

Watchlist

Death Wish 4: The Crackdown

25%

40%

Death Wish 4: The Crackdown

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

12 Great Buddy Cop Pairings in Movies

Weekly Ketchup: Kevin Smith Goes On Offensive, Heath Ledger as the Joker, Simpsons Movie Scenes, And More!

Trailer Bulletin: Running Scared

View more photos

Synopsis

Ray and Danny (Gregory Hines, Billy Crystal) are two Chicago police detectives hot on the trail of drug kingpin Julio Gonzales (Jimmy Smits). They manage to nab the drug lord, but the bust is messy, and the two are suspended. While vacationing in Key West, Fla., they decide to retire from the police force and open up a bar. But when they return to Chicago and find out that Gonzales has been released on bail, they vow not to quit the force until the dangerous dealer is behind bars for good.

Director: Peter Hyams
Producer: David Foster, Lawrence Turman
Screenwriter: Gary DeVore, Jimmy Huston
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Turman-Foster Company, David Foster Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $37.6M
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now