Movie · 1986 · Comedy, Crime, Thriller, Action · 1h 47m · R · English
Curator score: 1.4/10 (17.5K ratings)
Two of Chicago's finest?
Overview
Two street-wise Chicago cops have to shake off some rust after returning from a Key West vacation to pursue a drug dealer that nearly killed them in the past.
Ratings
Curator score: 1.4/10
IMDb: 6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 63%
Metacritic: 49
TMDB: 6.1/10
Director
Peter Hyams
Production
The Turman-Foster Company, David Foster Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Cast
Gregory Hines, Billy Crystal, Steven Bauer, Darlanne Fluegel, Joe Pantoliano, Dan Hedaya, Jon Gries, Tracy Reed, Jimmy Smits, John DiSanti, Larry Hankin, Don Calfa, Robert Lesser, Betty Carvalho, Louis Perez, Etel Billig, Meg Register, Deanna Dunagan, Jim Ortlieb, Julian Pena
Where to watch
Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Curator Review
Verdict
A breezy, underseen 80s buddy-cop action comedy with strong chemistry, lively Chicago location work, and enough set-piece energy to outweigh its familiar plotting. It’s especially appealing if you like star-driven banter, slick practical action, and a playful, sun-soaked detour from the usual grim cop-movie tone.
Best for
fans of buddy-cop comedies
viewers who enjoy 1980s action with a light comic touch
people who like strong lead chemistry more than intricate plotting
fans of city-specific action staging and practical stunt work
Skip if
you want a serious or emotionally deep crime thriller
you need tightly disciplined plotting and pacing
you dislike broad 80s comedy rhythms
you prefer modern, hard-edged action over playful banter
Overview
Running Scared is one of those mid-80s studio movies that feels more confident in its vibe than in its story, and that’s mostly a strength. Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal make an easy, likable pair, selling the movie’s wisecracks and giving the whole thing a loose, hangout-movie charm that a lot of better-known buddy-cop films never quite match.
Worth noting
Peter Hyams brings real visual punch to the action, especially in the Chicago material, where the movie finds texture in train tracks, office towers, and public spaces that feel dangerous in a very grounded way. The Key West vacation stretch is pure 80s wish fulfillment, and the film knows exactly how to turn that detour into a comic reward for the leads and the audience.
Bottom line
The downside is familiar: the villainy and plotting are serviceable rather than memorable, and the movie can feel like it’s coasting on charisma and style. But if you’re in the mood for a funny, fast, slightly overlooked cop movie with genuine chemistry and a few excellent action beats, it lands well.
Top Letterboxd reviews
David Sims (4★) · 384 likes
As a society, we were robbed of more Billy Crystal-Gregory Hines team-ups
Patrick Willems (3.5★) · 279 likes
This movie should have at least 4 sequels.
Jade talks too much🎅🏻🎄 (5★) · 271 likes
Words cannot truly express how much the Billy Crystal/Gregory Hines roller skating🛼, tank tops🎽, short shorts🩳, west key vacation🌞 montage set to a Michael McDonald song🎶 means to me.
I forever wish I had someone who would reenact this with me😍. The height of friendship & 80s cheese🧀. Here
This is the best action comedy of all time and is forever overlooked. I watch every boxing day to get over my post-Xmas depression.🥲 A classic!
Todd Gaines (4★) · 197 likes
Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal as two wisecracking Chicago cops who barely escape death from a ruthless drug kingpin. They decide it's time to call it a career, and plan to open up a bar in Key West, Florida. However, they must give a 30 day notice, in order to train their replacements. So, they do what all good cops do, they go after the big bad baddie in their last days on the police force. Running Scared on paper… more Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal as two wisecracking Chicago cops who barely escape death from a ruthless drug kingpin. They decide it's time to call it a career, and plan to open up a bar in Key West, Florida. However, they must give a 30 day notice, in order to train their replacements. So, they do what all good cops do, they go after the big bad baddie in their last days on the police force. Running Scared on paper… more
Jade talks too much🎅🏻🎄 (5★) · 179 likes
Play the Billy Crystal/Gregory Hines Key West vacation montage at my funeral.🏝️🛼🛥️🩳🍹Shine, Sweet Freedom!🤘😎🎶
And the rest of the movie is also the perfect action comedy🔫❄️💥. Annual December 26th rewatch for no reason. A CLASSIC!👍