Rush Hour (1998)
Kernel Score: 79% · 5,527 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Action, Comedy, Crime
Released: 1998-09-18
Runtime: 97 minutes
Is Rush Hour worth watching?
Worth watching. A buddy-cop comedy that pairs Jackie Chan's martial arts with Chris Tucker's mouth. The plot is routine, but the chemistry and the stunts are fun. It's an easy, silly watch.
Watch it if you
- like buddy-cop comedies
- enjoy Jackie Chan's stunts
- want light action
Skip it if you
- want a fresh story
- dislike broad, noisy humour
Best for: Easy action night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Rush Hour
- Stream: Fubo, Paramount+
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
When Hong Kong Inspector Lee is summoned to Los Angeles to investigate a kidnapping, the FBI doesn't want any outside help and assigns cocky LAPD Detective James Carter to distract Lee from the case. Not content to watch the action from the sidelines, Lee and Carter form an unlikely partnership and investigate the case themselves.
Rush Hour parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that Rush Hour is a buddy-cop action comedy with gunplay and martial arts fighting.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Frequent martial arts fights, gunplay, and a child kidnapping plot, played mostly for action-comedy.
- Language: Some — Some crude language typical of a PG-13 action comedy.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Rush Hour
If you liked Rush Hour, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Kung Fu Hustle (2004) — 87%: Silly, inventive martial-arts comedy.
- Police Story 2 (1988) — 80%: Jackie Chan's stunts in a cop story.
- Hot Fuzz (2007) — 86%: Smart buddy-cop comedy with big action.
- Beverly Hills Cop (1984) — 83%: Classic wisecracking cop comedy.
- Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024) — 82%: Buddy-cop action comedy sequel.
- The Nice Guys (2016) — 78%: Funny, scruffy buddy detective film.
Director
Cast
- Jackie Chan as Lee
- Chris Tucker as Carter
- Tom Wilkinson as Griffin
- Philip Baker Hall as Captain Diel
- Elizabeth Peña as Johnson
- Chris Penn as Clive
- Mark Rolston as Agent Russ
- Tzi Ma as Consul Han
- Rex Linn as Agent Whitney
- Ken Leung as Sang
Rush Hour FAQ
Is Rush Hour worth watching?
Worth watching. A buddy-cop comedy that pairs Jackie Chan's martial arts with Chris Tucker's mouth. The plot is routine, but the chemistry and the stunts are fun. It's an easy, silly watch.
Where can I watch Rush Hour?
In the US you can stream Rush Hour on Fubo and Paramount+ and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Rush Hour OK for kids?
Rush Hour is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that Rush Hour is a buddy-cop action comedy with gunplay and martial arts fighting.
What movies are like Rush Hour?
If you liked Rush Hour, try Kung Fu Hustle, Police Story 2, Hot Fuzz and Beverly Hills Cop.