The Definitive List: How Many Bad Boys Movies Are There (The 2024 Update)

The question of "How many Bad Boys movies are there?" has a fresh, definitive answer as of late 2024, thanks to the massive success of the latest installment. What began as a high-octane, buddy-cop action film in 1995 has exploded into a global phenomenon, spanning nearly three decades, four theatrical films, and a successful TV spin-off. The franchise, anchored by the unmatched chemistry of Will Smith as Mike Lowrey and Martin Lawrence as Marcus Burnett, has officially cemented its legacy as one of the most enduring action-comedy series in cinema history. This article provides the most current breakdown of the entire Bad Boys cinematic universe, including the latest box office numbers and the exciting future of the Miami detectives.

Currently, there are four main theatrical films in the Bad Boys franchise, with the most recent one released in June 2024. Furthermore, the franchise includes one official television spin-off, expanding the universe beyond the big screen. The success of the fourth film, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, was so significant that it pushed the entire series past a major industry milestone, proving that Mike and Marcus are anything but "retired."

The Complete Bad Boys Franchise Filmography and Biography

The core of the Bad Boys saga revolves around the lives and explosive cases of Miami-Dade Police Department detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence). Their dynamic—Mike, the slick, wealthy, and reckless ladies' man, and Marcus, the family-focused, high-strung, and often reluctant partner—is the heart of the franchise. Their journey has seen them evolve from young, single cops to married men, fathers, and even grandfathers, all while maintaining their signature “ride or die” partnership. The franchise has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, a testament to its global appeal.

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• Main Stars: Will Smith (Mike Lowrey) and Martin Lawrence (Marcus Burnett)
• Recurring Cast Highlights: Joe Pantoliano (Captain Conrad Howard), Theresa Randle (Theresa Burnett), Paola Núñez (Rita Secada), Vanessa Hudgens (Kelly), Alexander Ludwig (Dorn), John Salley (Fletcher), and Dennis Greene (Reggie Norman).
• Total Films: 4
• Total Worldwide Box Office Gross: Over $1 Billion

1. Bad Boys (1995): The Origin Story

The film that launched a thousand explosions and a legendary partnership. Directed by Michael Bay in his feature directorial debut, the original Bad Boys introduced the world to the high-stakes, comedic action that would define the series. The plot centers on Mike and Marcus protecting a murder witness, Julie Mott (Téa Leoni), while investigating the theft of $100 million in confiscated heroin from a police vault.

• Release Date: April 7, 1995
• Director: Michael Bay
• Co-Stars: Téa Leoni, Tchéky Karyo, Joe Pantoliano
• Budget: $19 Million
• Worldwide Gross: $141.4 Million
• Key Entity: This film established the Michael Bay cinematic style: fast cuts, dramatic low angles, and massive pyrotechnics.

2. Bad Boys II (2003): The Bayhem Sequel

After an eight-year gap, Michael Bay returned for a bigger, louder, and more chaotic sequel. Bad Boys II finds Mike and Marcus investigating the flow of ecstasy into Miami, which leads them to a dangerous Cuban drug lord. This film is notorious for its over-the-top action sequences, including the unforgettable freeway chase involving a car transporter and the destruction of an entire shantytown.

• Release Date: July 18, 2003
• Director: Michael Bay
• Co-Stars: Gabrielle Union (Syd Burnett), Jordi Mollà, Joe Pantoliano, Theresa Randle
• Budget: $130 Million
• Worldwide Gross: $273.3 Million
• Key Entity: This movie introduced Syd Burnett, Marcus's younger sister and a DEA agent, a character who would later headline the franchise's TV spin-off.

3. Bad Boys for Life (2020): The Legacy Continues

Seventeen years later, the franchise was successfully revived with a new directorial team, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (often referred to as Adil & Bilall). This installment saw Mike and Marcus face a new threat from Mike's past, forcing them to team up with the new, younger tactical squad, AMMO. The film’s theme focused heavily on legacy, aging, and Marcus's desire for retirement, which is constantly thwarted by Mike’s irresistible pull back into the action.

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• Release Date: January 17, 2020
• Directors: Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah
• Co-Stars: Paola Núñez, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Charles Melton, Joe Pantoliano
• Worldwide Gross: $426.5 Million
• Key Entity: It was the highest-grossing film of the franchise and one of the last major box office hits before the global pandemic, proving the duo’s lasting star power.

4. Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024): The Latest Blockbuster

The most recent and current film in the franchise, Ride or Die, was a critical and commercial success that helped revitalize the summer box office. This time, Mike and Marcus find themselves on the wrong side of the law after their late Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano) is posthumously framed for a connection to drug cartels. The two detectives become fugitives, forced to clear their captain's name while evading the entire police force and dangerous criminals.

• Release Date: June 7, 2024
• Directors: Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah
• Co-Stars: Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Tasha Smith (new Theresa Burnett), Dennis Greene (Reggie Norman)
• Domestic Opening: $56 Million
• Franchise Milestone: This film officially pushed the entire Bad Boys series past the $1 billion mark in global box office revenue.

The Bad Boys Cinematic Universe: Beyond the Movies

While the four films are the main entries, the Bad Boys universe extends to a television series that provides a deeper look into the world of Miami's most famous detectives. This spin-off is a crucial piece of the topical authority surrounding the franchise.

The Official TV Spin-off: L.A.’s Finest (2019–2020)

The television series L.A.'s Finest is an official spin-off of the Bad Boys films, directly connected through a main character introduced in the second movie.

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• The Connection: The show stars Gabrielle Union, reprising her role as Syd Burnett, Marcus Burnett's sister, who first appeared in Bad Boys II.
• The Premise: After leaving the DEA, Syd moves to Los Angeles and partners with Detective Nancy McKenna (Jessica Alba). The series follows their work as detectives in the LAPD.
• The Status: The series ran for two seasons on Spectrum and was later streamed on Netflix. Notably, neither Will Smith nor Martin Lawrence made a cameo appearance, though their characters were occasionally referenced.

The Evolution of the Bad Boys Style: Michael Bay vs. Adil & Bilall

A key difference between the first two films and the most recent two is the change in directorial vision, a major point of discussion among fans and critics. The shift from Michael Bay to the Belgian duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (known simply as Adil & Bilall) is central to the franchise's longevity.

The Michael Bay Era (1995–2003)

Bay's films are characterized by a distinct, maximalist style often referred to as "Bayhem." This includes:

• Extremely aggressive editing and rapid cuts.
• Signature 360-degree rotating shots of the main characters (the "Bad Boys Shot").
• Over-reliance on practical explosions and large-scale destruction.
• A focus on Mike Lowrey's slick, action-hero persona.

The Adil & Bilall Era (2020–Present)

The new directors successfully modernized the franchise while paying homage to Bay's original style. Their approach brought a fresh perspective:

• They maintained the high-octane action and the "Bad Boys Shot" but integrated more grounded, character-driven moments.
• They introduced innovative camera techniques, such as the use of a drone to film chase sequences, giving the action a more dynamic, video-game-like feel.
• The focus shifted to the emotional core of Mike and Marcus's lifelong friendship, exploring themes of mortality and legacy.

The Burning Question: Will There Be a Bad Boys 5?

Following the massive financial success of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the future of the franchise looks bright. The question of "How many Bad Boys movies will there be?" may soon have a new answer.

As of late 2024, Bad Boys 5 has not been officially confirmed or greenlit by Sony Pictures. However, the signals from the stars and producers are overwhelmingly positive. Martin Lawrence has publicly stated that there have been "talks" about a follow-up, and producers have indicated that a fifth installment is "on the table" given the latest film’s profitability.

The successful transition to a new set of directors, the franchise crossing the $1 billion threshold, and the clear enthusiasm from both Will Smith and Martin Lawrence suggest that it is a matter of *when*, not *if*, Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett will return for one more ride. The door is wide open for the Miami detectives to continue their legacy, ensuring that the total count of Bad Boys movies will likely increase in the coming years.