Rush Hour Movies: Release Order

1998 - 20073 Films4h 37m3.8 Average

The Rush Hour trilogy is a straightforward buddy cop action-comedy series that pairs LAPD Detective James Carter with Hong Kong Police Inspector Lee for high-stakes international adventures. The films blend Jackie Chan's signature martial arts choreography with Chris Tucker's rapid-fire comedy, creating a successful formula that helped bridge Eastern and Western action cinema.

Since the trilogy follows a linear storyline with character development that carries forward through each installment, the release order matches the chronological story progression, taking Carter and Lee to different locations around the world.

Linear Timeline: Release Order = Story Order

1
Rush Hour poster

Rush Hour

19981h 37m4.1
Director: Brett Ratner
Cast: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Tom Wilkinson, Philip Baker Hall, Elizabeth Peña

When a Hong Kong inspector is called to Los Angeles to investigate a kidnapping, he's paired with a loud-mouthed LAPD detective who was supposed to keep him out of the way. The mismatched duo form an unlikely partnership to solve the case themselves.

ActionComedyCrime
2
Rush Hour 2 poster

Rush Hour 2

20011h 30m3.8
Director: Brett Ratner
Cast: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, John Lone, Zhang Ziyi, Roselyn Sánchez

Detective Carter and Inspector Lee team up again when their Hong Kong vacation turns dangerous after they stumble upon a deadly counterfeiting operation involving a Triad gang. The mismatched partners must navigate fist fights and life-threatening situations while uncovering the truth behind a bombing at the American Embassy.

ActionComedyCrime
3
Rush Hour 3 poster

Rush Hour 3

20071h 30m3.6
Director: Brett Ratner
Cast: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Hiroyuki Sanada, Max von Sydow, Yvan Attal

The mismatched duo of Lee and Carter head to Paris to retrieve a crucial list of names while being pursued by a dangerous crime syndicate. This time, Lee's past catches up with him as they fight through gangsters in their most personal case yet.

ActionComedyCrime