'

48 HRS.

Play trailer

3:03

48 HRS.

R

1982

1h 37m

Action

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

52 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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Full Review

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

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

Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

The film never shies away from the thornier elements that develop in this story, refusing to be sanded down by studio notes to become something more palatable for mainstream audiences.

Rated: 8.5/10

Sep 29, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

Todd B

A buddy cop movie about a prisoner and cop that has to get the money before the crooks have it. Good classic movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/16/25

Full Review

Alejandro E

Unas de las películas que pondría a Eddie Murphy en el escaparate. Este es uno de los esos ejemplos de cómo, si está en las manos correctas, la fórmula de la pareja dispareja puede funcionar como un reloj. Disfrute y evite la secuela.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

View more videos

Beverly Hills Cop

82%

82%

Beverly Hills Cop

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Beverly Hills Cop

Beverly Hills Cop III

11%

35%

Beverly Hills Cop III

Watchlist

Beverly Hills Cop II

48%

58%

Beverly Hills Cop II

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Beverly Hills Cop II

Another 48 Hrs.

19%

35%

Another 48 Hrs.

Watchlist

Midnight Run

95%

87%

Midnight Run

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Saturday Night Live Stars on the Big Screen

Trailer Bulletin: Bale, Jackman & Scarlett in "The Prestige"

Hill in Final Negotiations To Direct Rambo IV?

48 HRS.: Trailer 1

3:03

View more videos

View more photos

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)

Most Popular at Home Now