The comedic partnership of Ice Cube and Mike Epps is one of the most successful and enduring duos in modern comedy cinema, a collaboration that has spanned two decades and four feature films. Their on-screen chemistry, built on the straight-man swagger of Ice Cube’s O’Shea Jackson and the manic, unpredictable energy of Epps, has solidified a highly quotable legacy in the stoner comedy genre. As of December 2025, the excitement surrounding their next project is at an all-time high, with concrete updates finally emerging on the long-awaited final installment of their most famous franchise.
This deep dive explores every single film featuring the iconic duo, providing a complete list, a look at their box office success, and the most current, fresh details on their upcoming collaboration, *Last Friday*, which is officially moving forward in pre-production. Whether you know them as Craig and Day-Day or Bucum and Reggie, this is the definitive guide to the Ice Cube and Mike Epps filmography.
The Complete Filmography: Ice Cube and Mike Epps Movies
Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson Sr.) and Mike Epps have starred together in four films to date. While their work on the *Friday* franchise is legendary, their joint ventures extend beyond the world of Craig and Day-Day. This list includes all their shared projects, presented in chronological order of release.
- Next Friday (2000)
- Ice Cube's Role: Craig Jones (also co-writer and producer)
- Mike Epps' Role: Day-Day Jones
- Plot: After avoiding the neighborhood bully Deebo in South Central, Craig is sent to live with his lottery-winning Uncle Elroy (John Witherspoon) and cousin Day-Day in Rancho Cucamonga.
- All About the Benjamins (2002)
- Ice Cube's Role: Bucum, a no-nonsense bounty hunter
- Mike Epps' Role: Reggie Wright, a street-smart bail jumper
- Plot: Bucum and Reggie form an uneasy alliance to track down a winning lottery ticket and a bag full of stolen diamonds, leading them into a high-stakes action-comedy adventure.
- Friday After Next (2002)
- Ice Cube's Role: Craig Jones (also writer and producer)
- Mike Epps' Role: Day-Day Jones and his father, Uncle Elroy's brother
- Plot: Craig and Day-Day move into their own apartment and get jobs as security guards at a strip mall, only to have their Christmas presents stolen by a thief dressed as Santa Claus.
- Janky Promoters (2009)
- Ice Cube's Role: Russell Redds (also writer and producer)
- Mike Epps' Role: Jellyroll
- Plot: Two inept, "janky" concert promoters try to manage a show for rapper Young Jeezy in Modesto, California, leading to a series of chaotic and embarrassing mishaps.
The Undeniable Chemistry: Craig and Day-Day’s Cultural Impact
The foundation of the Ice Cube and Mike Epps partnership is the beloved *Friday* franchise. While the original 1995 film starred Ice Cube and Chris Tucker, the sequels, *Next Friday* and *Friday After Next*, cemented a new, equally iconic dynamic. Mike Epps' introduction as Day-Day Jones brought a fresh, high-energy, and often ridiculous comedic counterpoint to Ice Cube's grounded, world-weary Craig Jones.
The sequels are highly quotable, with lines and characters becoming staples in Black cinema and stoner comedy culture. Epps’ portrayal of Day-Day, a character constantly chasing a quick scheme and getting into trouble, perfectly amplified the absurdity of the suburban setting in *Next Friday* and the holiday chaos of *Friday After Next*. The films, which Ice Cube co-wrote and produced, successfully expanded the franchise's scope while maintaining the original's charm and humor.
Financially, the sequels were a major success. *Next Friday* (2000) was a significant box office hit, grossing approximately $59 million worldwide against a modest budget, proving the franchise's enduring appeal even with a new lead comedian. *Friday After Next* (2002) continued this trend, though its total box office gross was slightly lower, it reinforced the duo's status as bankable comedic stars.
Beyond the Block: Their Non-Friday Collaborations
While the *Friday* series defines their legacy, Ice Cube and Mike Epps also successfully teamed up for two other projects that showcase a different side of their chemistry: the action-comedy *All About the Benjamins* and the low-budget comedy *Janky Promoters*.
All About the Benjamins (2002): Action-Comedy Gold
Released in the same year as *Friday After Next*, *All About the Benjamins* saw the duo shift genres, blending their comedic timing with high-octane action. Ice Cube played Bucum, a bounty hunter, while Epps played Reggie, the bail-jumper he's tasked with catching. Their dynamic here is less cousin-based and more classic odd-couple, as they are forced to work together to recover diamonds and a winning lottery ticket.
The film, which was a moderate box office hit despite receiving mixed to negative critical reviews, proved that the Cube-Epps formula could work outside of the *Friday* universe. It demonstrated Epps’ ability to play a more frantic, yet ultimately endearing, sidekick to Cube’s cool, collected lead, a dynamic that would be a hallmark of their joint ventures.
Janky Promoters (2009): A Cult Classic with a Unique Release
Their final collaboration to date, *Janky Promoters*, is perhaps the most unique and least-seen film on their joint resume. Written by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh (who also co-wrote the original *Friday*), the film tells the story of two incompetent concert promoters trying to pull off a show for rapper Young Jeezy in Modesto, California.
Unlike their other films, *Janky Promoters* had an extremely limited theatrical release, grossing only a negligible amount—around $9,069 domestically—against its reported $10 million budget. This suggests the film was primarily intended for a direct-to-video or limited distribution market, cementing its status as a cult classic for their most dedicated fans rather than a box office blockbuster. It remains a key piece of their shared filmography, demonstrating their commitment to low-budget, character-driven comedy.
The Freshest Update: What We Know About Last Friday (2025/2026)
For over a decade, fans have clamored for a fourth and final installment of the *Friday* series, often referred to as *Last Friday*. The project was stalled for years due to various issues, including studio reluctance and legal complexities. However, as of late 2024 and throughout 2025, the news has been overwhelmingly positive and current, giving fans hope that the movie is officially happening.
Official Greenlight and Production Status:
- Ice Cube Secures the Deal: Ice Cube, who has been vocal about the need to finish the franchise, has reportedly secured the necessary deal with the studio (New Line Cinema) to move forward with the project.
- Mike Epps Confirms Return: Mike Epps has publicly confirmed that he will be reprising his role as Day-Day Jones. He has stated that the project is officially ready to go into production, and he expressed his belief that the final film could be the "best one" of the entire series.
- Writing Team: The script is reportedly being worked on by a team that includes Ice Cube, DJ Pooh, and Aaron McGruder, the creator of *The Boondocks*. This blend of original and new comedic voices suggests a fresh but authentic approach to the final chapter.
While an official, locked-in release date is still pending, the pre-production status and the confirmations from both lead actors suggest that *Last Friday* is now a tangible reality, with some industry sources speculating a potential release window in late 2025 or 2026. This final collaboration will serve as the capstone to one of the most memorable comedic pairings in cinematic history, bringing the story of Craig and Day-Day to a long-awaited conclusion.
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