48 HRS.

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3:03

48 HRS.

R

1982

1h 37m

Action

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

53 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Renegade cop Jack Cates (Nick Nolte) pulls bank robber Reggie Hammond (Eddie Murphy) from a federal prison on a 48-hour leave to help him capture Hammond's old partner, Albert Ganz (James Remar). Having escaped from a prison work crew, Ganz is on a killing spree around San Francisco, on the trail of half a million dollars that went missing after one of his robberies. The cocky Reggie knows where the money is, but spars with the hotheaded Jack as he enjoys his temporary freedom.

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Critics Consensus

Marking an auspicious feature film debut for Eddie Murphy, 48 Hrs. is a briskly paced action comedy that succeeds largely due to the outstanding chemistry between its two leads.

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Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

Totally kinetic and visual, "48 HRS." is a constant excitement.

Mar 30, 2023

Full Review

Desmond Ryan

Philadelphia Inquirer

Has the look of a movie that was thrown together in a couple of days and its only claim to attention is the contribution of a refugee from "Saturday Night Live."

Rated: 2/4

Mar 30, 2023

Full Review

Jay Scott

Globe and Mail

A quick and clever thriller as nasty as a piece of shrapnel snapping the sound barrier.

Dec 7, 2022

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

[Walter] Hill injects larger-than-life personalities into the characters, a rollicking sense of humor to the situation and a gritty edge to the action.

Dec 7, 2024

Full Review

Cory Woodroof

For the Win (USA Today)

Murphy’s firs movie was a cannonball in terms of its splash radius to make him into a true-blue movie star.

Jul 8, 2024

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Casey Chong

Casey's Movie Mania

Eddie Murphy’s fast-talking, street-smart hustler Reggie Hammond pairs well with Nick Nolte’s no-nonsense, grizzled cop Jack Cates.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 4, 2024

Full Review

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Bruno V

Filme mal roteirizado. Embora esteja presentes elementos e gírias dos anos 70/80.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/24/25

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mark g

Absolute classic! Walter Hill's best film. Gritty, funny, vulgar, funny as hell. Performances really shine bright, Nolte and Murphy are so good together. Classic supporting actors everywhere.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

Full Review

Anony M

James Remar was a perfect fit for his role! He portrayed the cop killing escapee well. Nick Nolte/Eddie Murphy's dialogue was sometimes drawn out, but they were a fun pair to watch. Sonny Landham should have had more action in the showdown with Eddie imo.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/25

Full Review

Farah R

Nolte and Murphy’s electrifying chemistry and kinetic energy form the basis for this buddy cop comedy that offers plenty of action and comedy.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/25

Full Review

Michael W

This movie is a perfect example of why I'll never trust the critics or audience again. I kept thinking, "Maybe this trash will get better." I thought this was supposed to be a comedy, instead it turned out to be a total bore. That it had the critics bamboozled amazed me. Even the t&a, seemingly thrown in just to titillate didn't help. If you are a mature adult, don't waste the time you'll never get back.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/19/24

Full Review

Sal D

The launching point for the incredible big screen talents of Eddie Murphy…..in a film that mixes racial, societal and cultural issues in a multilayered fabric that still packs the same punch today as it did 42 years ago. Brilliant directing and production.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/13/24

Full Review

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Walter Hill

Director

Nick Nolte

Jack Cates

Eddie Murphy

Reggie Hammond

Annette O'Toole

Elaine

Frank McRae

Haden

James Remar

Albert Ganz

48 Hrs.: Official Clip - A Bus To Catch

1:53

48 Hrs.: Official Clip - Interrogating Luther

1:55

48 Hrs.: Official Clip - I Hate Rednecks

2:12

48 Hrs.: Official Clip - End of Story

2:13

48 Hrs.: Official Clip - Dinner for Reggie

0:38

48 Hrs.: Official Clip - Black Russian

1:54

48 Hrs.: Official Clip - Making A Bet

1:49

48 Hrs.: Official Clip - We Ain't Partners

1:38

48 Hrs.: Official Clip - Fighting Dirty

2:12

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48 HRS.: Trailer 1

3:03

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Synopsis

Renegade cop Jack Cates (Nick Nolte) pulls bank robber Reggie Hammond (Eddie Murphy) from a federal prison on a 48-hour leave to help him capture Hammond's old partner, Albert Ganz (James Remar). Having escaped from a prison work crew, Ganz is on a killing spree around San Francisco, on the trail of half a million dollars that went missing after one of his robberies. The cocky Reggie knows where the money is, but spars with the hotheaded Jack as he enjoys his temporary freedom.

Director: Walter Hill
Producer: Lawrence Gordon, Joel Silver
Screenwriter: Roger Spottiswoode, Walter Hill, Larry Gross, Steven E. de Souza
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 6, 2011
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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