10 Underrated Action Comedies That Nobody Talks About Today

Action movies are consistently among the most popular choices for audiences. They often offer a fun, escapist experience with exciting scenes like car chases and explosions. While action blends well with many genres, it works especially well with comedy, creating a particularly enjoyable combination.

Great action comedies do more than just thrill you – they make you laugh, often by finding humor even in intense moments. This humor can take many forms, whether it’s physical comedy or clever conversations.

Action comedies are consistently popular with audiences. Franchises like Rush Hour and Bad Boys have become incredibly well-known and are still talked about today, even years after they first came out. A common element in these successful movies is a pairing of actors – often a ‘buddy-cop’ setup – who have great chemistry together.

Action comedies are usually fun and entertaining, but simply being funny and action-packed doesn’t guarantee a movie will be a hit or stay popular over the years. Luckily, just because a movie isn’t currently talked about doesn’t mean it’s not good – many older action comedies are still worth watching today.

As a movie buff, I’ve always loved action comedies, and I’ve put together a list of some real gems. They’re a mix of things – some are buddy-cop movies that never got the love they deserved, while others throw in a bit of fantasy and adventure. A lot of these didn’t do huge numbers in theaters, or they’ve just been forgotten over time. But trust me, whether you’re in the mood for a classic crime caper or a hilarious action movie you might have missed, these underrated films are totally worth checking out.

Last Action Hero (1993)

It might be surprising to see an Arnold Schwarzenegger film on a list of lesser-known movies. While Schwarzenegger is a famous action star, his 90s action comedy, Last Action Hero, doesn’t get talked about as much as his other work.

The movie Last Action Hero stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Jack Slater, a famous action movie hero. When an enthusiastic young fan named Danny (Austin O’Brien) is unexpectedly pulled into one of Slater’s films, the two escape together. Slater soon discovers that the predictable logic of movies doesn’t quite work in the real world.

Before breaking the fourth wall became a common trope, Last Action Hero was already doing it. The movie is genuinely funny, but also manages to create emotional impact when it needs to. Plus, Charles Dance delivers a fantastic performance as Benedict, the villain, who cleverly exploits the fact that real life doesn’t have the same rules as the movies.

The 51st State (2001)

The movie The 51st State (sometimes called Formula 51) features Samuel L. Jackson as Elmo McElroy, a talented chemist who invents a new recreational drug called POS 51.

Let me tell you about POS 51 – this isn’t your average drug movie. The central character, McElroy, has cooked up a substance that delivers a seriously powerful high, but here’s the kicker: it’s made with ingredients you can legally buy. That immediately puts a target on his back, drawing the interest of both criminals and the cops. The film really shines as we watch McElroy rely on his intelligence to outsmart everyone and stay one step ahead. It’s a clever premise and a genuinely thrilling ride.

Jackson is fantastic as McElroy, a man desperately trying to sell his latest invention. The movie is packed with funny moments and wildly exaggerated characters, all obsessed with getting the secret formula for the POS 51.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a fast-paced action comedy featuring Robert Downey Jr. as Harry Lockhart, a petty thief who stumbles into a movie audition while on the run from the police.

Lockhart unexpectedly lands the role and now needs to learn how to convincingly portray a detective. To help him prepare, the filmmakers bring in Gay Perry (Val Kilmer), an actual private investigator, to mentor him.

The movie’s plot is intentionally over-the-top, and that’s what makes it so fun. Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer have great chemistry, and the film is filled with clever, funny lines. Surprisingly, the story feels realistic, and you genuinely care about what happens, even though it’s a comedy with lots of action.

The Nice Guys (2016)

Starring Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling, The Nice Guys is a recent action-comedy set in 1970s Los Angeles. The film follows the unlikely pairing of two detectives who team up to investigate the disappearance of a young woman named Amelia (Margaret Qualley).

Ryan Gosling stars as Holland March, a private investigator who doesn’t easily commit to anything. He partners with Russell Crowe’s character, who prefers a more forceful, direct way of handling things. What initially appears to be a simple case soon becomes much more complex, involving influential and powerful people.

Despite not being a box office success, The Nice Guys is a surprisingly clever and genuinely funny action comedy that deserves more recognition. It’s a really great film that somehow flew under the radar.

The Golden Child (1986)

In the movie The Golden Child, Eddie Murphy plays Chandler Jarrell, a private investigator who focuses on cases involving children. When a special boy, known as the Golden Child, is kidnapped, Jarrell must race against time to save him.

It might not seem like a typical action comedy setup, but Eddie Murphy is incredibly funny as Jarrell, finding humor in every scene. He soon discovers he’s bitten off more than he can chew, and his mission sends him on a global adventure to Tibet, where he encounters dangers beyond anything he’s ever faced.

Golden Child is an enjoyable adventure film that takes place around the world, and Charles Dance delivers a fantastic performance as the villain, Sardo Numspa.

Black Knight (2001)

Martin Lawrence is a well-known comedic actor, famous for playing Marcus in the Bad Boys movies. He’s also starred in many films on his own, like his role as Jamal in Black Knight.

Jamal works at Medieval World, a theme park recreating the 14th century. One day, after hitting his head on the job, he unexpectedly finds himself transported back in time – not to a park filled with actors, but to the actual, dangerous world of knights and medieval times.

The story starts with a silly idea: Jamal is trying to get back home. His journey is packed with funny moments and physical comedy, and he unexpectedly brings modern music into some very formal settings, leading to more laughs.

Money Talks (1997)

I’m a huge Chris Tucker fan, and like so many people, I absolutely loved him as Carter in the Rush Hour movies! But I recently learned that before Rush Hour came out in ’98, he did a movie called Money Talks back in ’97. It’s cool to see where some of our favorite actors started, and it’s a movie a lot of people seem to have forgotten about.

In the movie Money Talks, Tucker plays Franklin Hatchett, a petty criminal who ends up on a prison transport with dangerous inmates. He breaks free, but the police mistakenly think he’s connected to bigger, more serious crimes.

In Money Talks, Chris Tucker and Charlie Sheen team up as an unlikely pair, each hoping to benefit from the other. The movie is a high-energy action-comedy filled with over-the-top scenes, and Tucker and Sheen have great chemistry. It’s a simple, funny film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, making for an enjoyable viewing experience.

Blue Streak (1999)

Blue Streak is a fantastic Martin Lawrence film. He stars as Miles Logan, a skilled thief who gets caught by the police mid-robbery. Before being arrested, he manages to hide the stolen goods.

Logan came back after many years and was surprised to find the building had been turned into a police station. He disguised himself as an officer to get in, but soon realized getting what he came for would be much more difficult than he thought.

As the movie Blue Streak progresses, it unexpectedly builds tension as Logan struggles to keep up his disguise. It’s packed with funny moments and clever jokes, and Martin Lawrence shines as a charming and quick-witted thief.

The Whole Nine Yards (2000)

In the comedy The Whole Nine Yards, Matthew Perry plays Oz, a dentist whose wife is only after his money. His life gets complicated when a new neighbor, Jimmy Tudeski (played by Bruce Willis), moves in, and Oz discovers Jimmy is actually a dangerous hitman.

In The Whole Nine Yards, a friendship blossoms between two men, but it’s threatened when one man’s wife suggests involving the mafia. The movie is a funny and fast-paced comedy with a surprising amount of suspense, featuring a hilarious performance by Bruce Willis as Oz and a complicated plot involving dangerous criminals.

Bulletproof (1996)

The movie Bulletproof is a surprisingly funny and action-packed collaboration between Adam Sandler and Damon Wayans. It’s a bit of a hidden gem – an underrated comedy that doesn’t get talked about much anymore. Sandler plays Moses, a guy trying to be a gangster who gets mixed up with the wrong people.

Keats, played by Wayans, is a detective working undercover. During a botched operation, Moses mistakenly shoots him. Years later, the two men are unexpectedly partnered again when Keats is tasked with protecting Moses, who is now a key witness.

Marlon Wayans and Adam Sandler have fantastic on-screen chemistry as an unlikely pair of cops. While one character constantly tries to make amends, the other isn’t interested, leading to a competitive dynamic between them. Although the actors are known for comedy, Bulletproof leans more towards a serious tone to create balance. It’s packed with exciting action and remains a great choice for fans of 90s action comedy.

2026-04-29 16:16