‘Bad Boys’ and ‘Bad Boys II’ Coming to Tubi Just in Time for the 30th Anniversary

by

As a movie enthusiast who’s witnessed the rise and fall of many a silver screen legend, I can confidently say that the Bad Boys franchise is nothing short of extraordinary. Having grown up with the charm of Will Smith on The Fresh Prince and Martin Lawrence’s hilarity in Martin, it was a delight to see them come together in such a captivating and action-packed saga.

Starting January 1, 2025, streaming service Tubi will feature the dynamic duo of action films, “Bad Boys” and its sequel, “Bad Boys II.” These movies revolve around the thrilling exploits of two Miami narcotics officers, Marcus Burnett (played by Martin Lawrence) and Mike Lowrey (Will Smith). Their investigations into stolen drugs lead them to protect a crucial witness, Téa Leoni, who has witnessed a murder. Reminiscent of Michael Bay’s signature style, the films are packed with exhilarating action sequences, glowing color palettes, sunsets, pulsating soundtracks, and much more. The production was helmed by Jerry Bruckheimer and the late Don Simpson, two influential action movie pioneers from the ’80s and ’90s.

In April 7, 1995, the movie “Bad Boys” made its premiere, showcasing an unestablished director named Bay, who had previously worked in commercials and music videos. Michael Smith, a cherished figure from “The Fresh Prince,” found himself near the end of the show’s run. However, it was Lawrence, whose series “Martin” was a genuine ratings success, who stole the limelight. The film opened with $15.5 million against a production budget of $19 million and eventually grossed an impressive $141 million globally. Moreover, it played a significant role in revitalizing the genre of buddy cop movies.

However, what really skyrocketed their careers were the events that unfolded subsequently. Smith, for instance, embarked on a significant cinematic journey commencing with Independence Day in 1996 and followed by Men in Black in 1997. On the other hand, Bay directed The Rock featuring Sir Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage as well as Armageddon in 1996 (starring Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck, co-written by JJ Abrams). Meanwhile, Lawrence’s popular show concluded in 1997. His next substantial success was Big Momma’s House in 2000.

Bad Boys II did Everything Bigger and Better

In the sequel titled “Bad Boys II“, the fundamental concepts from the original movie were expanded upon. The story revolves around two detectives specializing in narcotics, this time based in Miami, who are on a mission to apprehend significant drug kingpins. The scale was amplified with an impressive budget of $130 million. The plot unfolds as partners Burnett and Lowery delve into the illicit operations of ecstasy distribution in Miami orchestrated by a new drug lord, Johnny Tapia, portrayed by Jordi Mollà.

In this sequel of the buddy cop series, the intensity, comedy, and music are cranked up to maximum levels, and they even brought in legendary Miami Dolphins player, Dan Marino, for a special appearance. The most thrilling moment is undoubtedly an exhilarating car chase where bodies are tossed from a speeding van – you really need to watch it to fully appreciate it. Several action scenes significantly influenced the genre for years to come, until the release of the Matrix trilogy once again redefined action movies.

The movie raked in over $270 million globally when it debuted on July 18, 2003, which was only two weeks after “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines”. It took 17 years for the well-liked third installment, “Bad Boys for Life”, to be released in 2020. This film turned out to be the most successful of the three, grossing over $426 million worldwide and leading to another sequel, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die”, just four years later. It also earned more than $400 million at the box office. Given that the third and fourth films combined have made close to a billion dollars, it’s quite possible we’ll see a fifth film in the future.

4 movies from the “Bad Boys” series are continuing to thrive, and starting from January 1st, 2025, you’ll be able to catch the first two installments on Tubi.

Read More

2024-12-26 17:33