10 best action and comedy movies like Baywatch

Are you searching for action-packed movies with hilarious comedy, just like Baywatch? You’re in the right place!

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 action-comedy movies that deliver the same mix of thrilling action, laugh-out-loud moments, and unforgettable characters.

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So grab your popcorn , sit back, and get ready to be entertained!

Introduction

Action comedies have skyrocketed in popularity over the years, offering the perfect mix of:

• Exciting action sequences that keep viewers hooked.
• Hilarious dialogue that makes audiences laugh.
• Star-studded casts that bring unforgettable characters to life.

One movie that perfectly balances action and comedy is Baywatch (2017).

Starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, this film combines thrilling lifeguard rescues, hilarious humor, and intense action scenes.

If you loved Baywatch and are looking for more movies in the same genre, then this list is for you!

Why Are Action-Comedy Movies So Popular?

Action comedies offer the best of both worlds.

They attract audiences because they:

• Keep viewers on the edge of their seats with intense action scenes.
• Provide comic relief with witty dialogue and funny moments.
• Feature dynamic character chemistry, often pairing serious action stars with hilarious comedians.
• Are entertaining for a wide audience, making them perfect for movie nights.

Here’s a quick comparison of how action comedies stand out from other genres:

Genre	Key Features	Example Movie
Action	Intense stunts, fight sequences, car chases	John Wick (2014)
Comedy	Humor, funny dialogues, light-hearted tone	The Hangover (2009)
Action-Comedy	A mix of thrilling action and comedic elements	Deadpool (2016)

Clearly, action comedies provide a thrilling yet fun-filled cinematic experience, making them a fan-favorite genre!

The Success of Baywatch

Baywatch was one of the most anticipated action-comedy films of 2017.

Key Highlights:

Box Office Performance: The film grossed $177 million worldwide.
Star-Studded Cast: Featured Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, Alexandra Daddario & more.
Engaging Storyline: A team of lifeguards uncovers a criminal conspiracy threatening their beach.

What Made Baywatch Special?

• Action-Packed Rescue Sequences
• Hilarious Rivalry Between The Leads
• A Perfect Blend of Beach Drama & Comedy

Here’s a quick look at Baywatch‘s ratings:

Movie Name	IMDb Rating	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Baywatch (2017)	5.5/10	62%

Now, let’s dive into the top 10 action-comedy movies that deliver similar excitement and humor!

10 Best Action-Comedy Movies Like Baywatch

Here are 10 top action-comedy movies that bring the same mix of thrilling action and hilarious moments as Baywatch:

21 Jump Street (2012)

Directed by: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller
Starring: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum

Plot Summary

The film follows two mismatched police officers, Morton Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Greg Jenko (Channing Tatum). Back in high school, Schmidt was a nerdy outcast, while Jenko was a popular jock. Years later, they both end up at the same police academy, where they become friends despite their differences.

After graduating, they are assigned to a dull bike patrol job, but soon they get a new mission under the 21 Jump Street undercover program. Their task? Pose as high school students and infiltrate a dangerous drug ring supplying a new synthetic drug called HFS.

However, things take an unexpected turn. The roles get reversed—Schmidt, once an outcast, now fits in with the cool crowd, while Jenko struggles with the nerds and science geeks. Their mission is further complicated when Schmidt falls for his classmate Molly (Brie Larson), who is the girlfriend of the school’s drug dealer, Eric.

As they try to balance school life, friendships, and their police work, chaos unfolds. From outrageous parties to explosive chases, the duo must learn to work together to take down the drug suppliers before the situation spirals out of control.

With fast-paced action, hilarious high school moments, and unforgettable comedic chemistry, 21 Jump Street is a must-watch for action-comedy lovers!

📊 Ratings:

IMDb Rating	Rotten Tomatoes Score
7.2/10	82%

Central Intelligence (2016)

Directed by: Rawson Marshall Thurber
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart

Plot Summary

The film revolves around Calvin Joyner (Kevin Hart), a former high school golden boy turned mild-mannered accountant who feels stuck in a boring life. In contrast, Bob Stone (Dwayne Johnson) was once an overweight outcast who was bullied relentlessly in high school.

Years later, Bob undergoes a dramatic transformation, becoming a muscular and highly skilled CIA agent. He reconnects with Calvin, claiming to need help with a financial issue. Calvin, unaware of Bob’s secret identity, reluctantly agrees.

Soon, Calvin finds himself thrown into a high-stakes espionage mission. The CIA is chasing Bob, believing he is a rogue agent involved in selling classified intelligence to terrorists. Bob insists that he is innocent and that someone from the CIA is trying to frame him.

As the duo embarks on a wild, action-packed adventure, Calvin struggles to keep up with Bob’s insane combat skills and over-the-top personality. From hilarious interrogations to high-speed chases, their journey is filled with non-stop action and comedy.

By the end, Calvin must decide whether to trust Bob or turn him in. The film delivers a perfect mix of action, laughter, and an inspiring story about confidence and friendship.

Ratings:

IMDb Rating	Rotten Tomatoes Score
6.3/10	71%

The Other Guys (2010)

Directed by: Adam McKay
Starring: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg

Plot Summary

Detectives Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell) and Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg) are two low-level NYPD officers who spend their days doing paperwork instead of chasing criminals. Unlike their department’s famous hotshot cops Danson (Dwayne Johnson) and Highsmith (Samuel L. Jackson), they never get the exciting cases.

Terry is frustrated with their boring work, while Allen is content with staying behind a desk. However, when the legendary detectives unexpectedly die in a reckless stunt, the opportunity opens for Allen and Terry to take on a big case.

They stumble upon a massive financial fraud case involving a billionaire, David Ershon (Steve Coogan). What begins as a routine investigation quickly turns into a dangerous conspiracy. The duo must deal with shootouts, car chases, and betrayals while proving themselves as real detectives.

Adding to the humor, Allen’s wife, Dr. Sheila Gamble (Eva Mendes), is a stunning beauty, yet Allen remains oblivious to how lucky he is—causing endless jealousy from Terry.

With absurd comedy, action-packed sequences, and a clever satire of buddy cop films, The Other Guys is a laugh-out-loud action ride.

📊 Ratings:

IMDb Rating	Rotten Tomatoes Score
6.6/10	60%

The Nice Guys (2016)

Directed by: Shane Black
Starring: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling

Plot Summary

Set in 1970s Los Angeles, the movie follows Holland March (Ryan Gosling), a down-on-his-luck private investigator, and Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe), a tough enforcer-for-hire.

The two men cross paths when March is hired to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a young woman, Amelia. Meanwhile, Healy is hired by Amelia herself to keep anyone from finding her.

After an initial violent encounter, they realize they are after the same case and team up reluctantly. As they dig deeper, they uncover a massive conspiracy involving the porn industry, the auto industry, and the government.

What follows is a hilarious yet thrilling detective journey filled with:

Gunfights and car chases.
Sharp and sarcastic humor.
A nostalgic 1970s vibe.

March’s young daughter, Holly, adds to the fun by frequently outsmarting both men and getting involved in the case.

The chemistry between Gosling and Crowe, along with the movie’s unique blend of crime, action, and comedy, makes The Nice Guys an underrated gem in the action-comedy genre.

Ratings:

IMDb Rating	Rotten Tomatoes Score
7.3/10	79%

Spy (2015)

Directed by: Paul Feig
Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, Jude Law

Plot Summary

Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) is a brilliant but overlooked CIA analyst who works behind the scenes, guiding elite field agents like Bradley Fine (Jude Law) through dangerous missions. Although highly skilled, Susan is constantly stuck at her desk, managing logistics, tech, and intelligence.

Her life takes a drastic turn when Fine is killed during a mission, and the CIA learns that the identities of all their top agents have been compromised. With no other option, Susan volunteers to go undercover to stop the deadly arms dealer, Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne), from selling a portable nuclear bomb to terrorists.

Initially underestimated due to her awkward and timid demeanor, Susan surprises everyone with her sharp instincts, combat skills, and improvisation abilities. Along the way, she teams up with the hilariously incompetent yet overconfident Rick Ford (Jason Statham), who refuses to believe she can handle the mission.

The film is packed with:

Exciting fight scenes showcasing Susan’s hidden talents.
Hilarious exchanges between Susan and Rick Ford.
An unpredictable undercover mission full of twists and comedic mishaps.

With fast-paced action and laugh-out-loud moments, Spy is a refreshing take on the spy genre, proving that anyone can be a hero with the right skills and determination.

Ratings:

IMDb Rating	Rotten Tomatoes Score
7.0/10	78%

The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017)

Directed by: Patrick Hughes
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, Gary Oldman

Plot Summary

Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) is a highly skilled bodyguard who once had a prestigious AAA rating in the security industry. However, after a mission goes wrong, his reputation is shattered, leaving him stuck with low-level protection jobs.

His life takes an unexpected turn when he is assigned to protect one of his worst enemies—notorious contract killer Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson). Kincaid is a key witness set to testify against a ruthless dictator, Vladislav Dukhovich (Gary Oldman), at the International Criminal Court.

The problem? Dukhovich’s men will stop at nothing to kill Kincaid before he reaches the court. Now, Bryce and Kincaid—two men who absolutely hate each other—must team up for a dangerous and action-packed journey across Europe to get Kincaid safely to court.

Throughout their journey, audiences are treated to:

Insane shootouts and high-speed chases.
Non-stop arguments and hilarious insults between Bryce and Kincaid.
A surprisingly emotional story about love and redemption, as Kincaid fights for his wife, Sonia (Salma Hayek).

With high-stakes action and witty humor, The Hitman’s Bodyguard is an explosive buddy comedy that keeps audiences entertained from start to finish.

📊 Ratings:

IMDb Rating	Rotten Tomatoes Score
6.9/10	67%

Get Smart (2008)

Directed by: Peter Segal
Starring: Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson

Plot Summary

Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) is an intelligence analyst working for CONTROL, a top-secret U.S. spy agency. Despite his excellent analytical skills, he dreams of becoming a field agent like the agency’s best spy, Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson).

His dream comes true when KAOS, a criminal organization, attacks CONTROL’s headquarters, exposing the identities of all active agents. With no trained field agents available, Max is promoted to Agent 86 and is partnered with the highly skilled but reluctant Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway).

Max and Agent 99 set off on a global mission to stop KAOS from using nuclear weapons. However, Max’s inexperience and clumsy nature lead to hilarious mishaps throughout their journey.

Despite his mistakes, Max’s intelligence, creativity, and determination prove useful. He eventually discovers that someone inside CONTROL is a double agent, leading to a shocking betrayal.

With its blend of slapstick humor, spy action, and unexpected twists, Get Smart is a fun-filled adventure perfect for fans of James Bond parodies and buddy comedies.

📊 Ratings:

IMDb Rating	Rotten Tomatoes Score
6.5/10	67%

Red (2010)

Directed by: Robert Schwentke
Starring: Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren

Plot Summary

Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) is a retired CIA operative trying to live a quiet life. However, his past catches up to him when a hit squad attacks his home. Realizing that someone wants him dead, Frank reassembles his old team, which includes:

Joe Matheson (Morgan Freeman) – A former CIA mentor battling cancer.
Marvin Boggs (John Malkovich) – A paranoid but skilled assassin.
Victoria (Helen Mirren) – A deadly and elegant ex-MI6 agent.

Together, they embark on a globetrotting mission to uncover why they are being targeted. The truth? Someone in the government wants to erase all evidence of a secret mission they were involved in years ago.

The film offers a perfect mix of humor and action, with scenes featuring:

Explosions, gunfights, and spy tactics.
Hilarious chemistry between the veteran agents.
A romantic subplot as Frank reconnects with his love interest, Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker).

Ratings:

IMDb Rating	Rotten Tomatoes Score
7.0/10	72%

Knight and Day (2010)

Directed by: James Mangold
Starring: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz

Plot Summary

June Havens (Cameron Diaz) is an ordinary woman whose life takes a drastic turn when she crosses paths with Roy Miller (Tom Cruise), a mysterious secret agent.

Roy is on the run after being framed by his agency for a stolen invention that could change the world. Now, June is unwillingly dragged into a non-stop global adventure, from the U.S. to Spain, dodging:

CIA agents who believe Roy is a traitor.
Assassins hired to retrieve the stolen device.
Explosions, car chases, and high-flying action.

Despite the chaos, June starts falling for Roy, questioning whether she can trust him. The film blends romance, action, and comedy, making it an entertaining spy-thriller with a fun twist.

Ratings:

IMDb Rating	Rotten Tomatoes Score
6.3/10	49%

Deadpool (2016)

Directed by: Tim Miller
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller

Plot Summary

Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is a former special forces operative turned mercenary, living life on his own terms. He falls deeply in love with Vanessa Carlysle (Morena Baccarin), a woman who shares his sharp wit and dark sense of humor. Just as everything seems perfect, Wade is diagnosed with terminal cancer, shattering their future together.

Desperate for a cure, Wade is approached by a mysterious recruiter who promises him an experimental treatment that will not only cure his cancer but also give him extraordinary abilities. Though hesitant, Wade undergoes the procedure, which is secretly run by Ajax (Ed Skrein), a sadistic scientist who tortures and experiments on people to awaken latent mutant genes.

The experiment grants Wade superhuman healing abilities, but it also leaves him severely disfigured. With his self-image destroyed, Wade escapes the facility and reinvents himself as Deadpool, a masked anti-hero with a twisted sense of humor and an unquenchable thirst for revenge against Ajax.

As he hunts down Ajax for a cure to his disfigurement, Deadpool crosses paths with X-Men members Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead, who try (and hilariously fail) to recruit him into the X-Men. In the end, Deadpool rescues Vanessa, proving that beneath all the crude jokes and sarcasm, he’s still the man who loves her.

With brutal action, meta-humor, and fourth-wall-breaking comedy, Deadpool is a unique take on the superhero genre, blending R-rated humor with thrilling action.

Ratings:

IMDb Rating	Rotten Tomatoes Score
8.0/10	90%

Conclusion

Action-comedy movies like Baywatch offer the perfect balance of thrilling action and laugh-out-loud moments, making them a go-to choice for movie lovers who enjoy excitement with humor.

From undercover cops in 21 Jump Street to buddy action duos like The Hitman’s Bodyguard and The Other Guys, these films deliver high-energy sequences and hilarious character dynamics.

Some, like Deadpool, even redefine genres with their self-aware humor and unique storytelling, while others like Red and Get Smart add a spy-thriller twist to the mix.

So, what’s next?

• Pick a movie from the list.
• Grab your popcorn.
• Enjoy a fun-filled movie night full of action and comedy!

Which one are you watching first?