Rush Hour

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2:31

Rush Hour

PG-13

Released Sep 18, 1998

1h 38m

Action

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

74 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

When a Chinese diplomat's daughter is kidnapped in Los Angeles, he calls in Hong Kong Detective Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) to assist the FBI with the case. But the FBI doesn't want anything to do with Lee, and they dump him off on the LAPD, who assign wisecracking Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker) to watch over him. Although Lee and Carter can't stand each other, they choose to work together to solve the case on their own when they figure out they've been ditched by both the FBI and police.

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Critics Consensus

While it won't win any awards for originality, the combustible chemistry between its stars means Rush Hour hits just as hard on either side of the action-comedy divide.

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Xan Brooks

Guardian

A brief sequence where he weaves between tour bus, truck and camper van views like a kung-fu version of Singin' In The Rain. But Chan's physical poetry is boxed inside narrow margins.

Jan 16, 2019

Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan

Washington Post

Where Chan and Tucker should work together and complement each other, they only end up vying for the spotlight, producing a whole that is a lot less than the sum of its parts.

Jan 16, 2019

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Buddy cop fun amidst explosions, bad guys, and language.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 19, 2010

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

One of the better “buddy” flicks to appear in the waning years of the 20th century.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 14, 2023

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Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

This movie holds up so well. Despite some stereotypical things, I still had a great time watching this.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 30, 2023

Full Review

Brandon Collins

Medium Popcorn

Non-stop laughs that hold up very well. There's a timeless element to this movie that is effortlessly entertaining.

Rated: 5/5

Apr 30, 2023

Full Review

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Mike D

This was a nice watch. Good humor, good action scenes, and great fight choreography.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/09/25

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David D

Fun. Fun. Fun. This first chapter lays down the score of what people called for more.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/07/25

Full Review

kieran h

This movie was funny action packed and original 10/10 must see

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/31/25

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Garry A

This is one of the better action/comedies. Chris Tucker & Jackie Chan have great chemistry.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/03/25

Full Review

tommy J

I don't know how this movie could be better. I wish we do were getting great original movie like this. Hilarious comedy, action, and Kung fu!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/02/25

Full Review

Andrew M

MY ALL TIME FAVORTIE

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/28/25

Full Review

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Brett Ratner

Director

Jackie Chan

Chief Inspector Lee

Chris Tucker

Detective James Carter

Tom Wilkinson

Thomas Griffin

Elizabeth Peña

Tania Johnson

Philip Baker Hall

Captain William Diel

Rush Hour 3

17%

63%

Rush Hour 3

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Rush Hour 2

50%

74%

Rush Hour 2

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Simon Sez

0%

16%

Simon Sez

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Underclassman

6%

34%

Underclassman

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The Tuxedo

22%

30%

The Tuxedo

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Rush Hour: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When a Chinese diplomat's daughter is kidnapped in Los Angeles, he calls in Hong Kong Detective Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) to assist the FBI with the case. But the FBI doesn't want anything to do with Lee, and they dump him off on the LAPD, who assign wisecracking Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker) to watch over him. Although Lee and Carter can't stand each other, they choose to work together to solve the case on their own when they figure out they've been ditched by both the FBI and police.

Director: Brett Ratner
Producer: Arthur M. Sarkissian, Jonathan Glickman, Roger Birnbaum
Screenwriter: Jim Kouf, Ross LaManna
Distributor: New Line Cinema, New Line Home Video [us]
Production Co: New Line Cinema, Roger Birnbaum Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 18, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 18, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $141.2M
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

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