Skip to content
MovieCove
21 Jump Street

21 Jump Street

The only thing getting blown tonight is their cover.

2012109 minRMidcredits score: 87th percentile of all films
Directors
Christopher Miller, Phil Lord
Starring
Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Brie Larson, Dave Franco

When cops Schmidt and Jenko join the secret Jump Street unit, they use their youthful appearances to go undercover as high school students. They trade in their guns and badges for backpacks, and set out to shut down a dangerous drug ring. But, as time goes on, Schmidt and Jenko discover that high school is nothing like it was just a few years earlier -- and, what's more, they must again confront the teenage terror and anxiety they thought they had left behind.

Where to watch

Where can I watch 21 Jump Street?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists 21 Jump Street streaming on Netflix and Paramount+ and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

Subscription

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about 21 Jump Street?

21 Jump Street earns 9 badges, led by Cultural touchstone and Top 10% in Action.

Show 1 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content

Reception

Is 21 Jump Street worth watching?

21 Jump Street's Midcredits score is the 87th percentile of all films, from 2.2M ratings across 6 sources. 77% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

87th percentile

Better received than 87% of films

93rd percentile among Action87th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)84th
Approval (how many liked it)87th

72 /100

84th percentile of all films

93rd percentile among Action83rd percentile among 2010s

Critics 69 · Audience 72

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.3 — solid but not unanimous.

77% liked it

87th percentile of all films

91st percentile among Action88th percentile among 2010s
77% rated it 7–1023% rated it 1–6

Critics 85% · Audience 83%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 11 wins / 21 noms overall

99th percentile

2.2M ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Action99th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 13% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$42M
Opening weekend$36M
Domestic gross$138M
Worldwide gross$202M

Returned 4.8× its budget — 91st percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A self-aware, profane buddy comedy that subverts 80s tropes while delivering broad slapstick and action.

Fans praised

  • Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum's comedic chemistry
  • Self-aware satire of buddy-cop and high-school movie clichés
  • Surprisingly clever, consistently funny script and one-liners

Detractors panned

  • Over-the-top, unrealistic cop behavior undermines believability
  • Gross-out humor (castration joke) and juvenile vulgarity feel distasteful
  • Pacing drags with interminable action scenes and inconsistent tone

What stands out

ActingDivisive82

Hill and Tatum's chemistry praised as inspired; detractors find Tatum wooden and Hill repetitive

HumorDivisive80

Laugh-out-loud with clever meta jokes; detractors call it unfunny and vile

DialogueDivisive78

Witty one-liners and meta gags praised; vulgarity for its own sake criticized

OriginalityDivisive72

Fresh spin on stale reboot concept through satire

CharactersDivisive70

Mismatched duo roles reversed, but strained logic for detractors

PacingDivisive58

Frontloaded fun but drags in second half

Plot and storyDivisive55

Predictable buddy-cop structure redeemed by self-awareness

Effects and spectacleDivisive55

Fun but generic action sequences; some meta explosion gags

Preferred by

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Under-30s

Under-30s scored it 12 points higher than over-30s.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 5 points apart
  • Critics vs users 1 point apart
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is 21 Jump Street like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It is intense, never lets up and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
JoyfulThrillingAbsurd
Heaviest: throughout
Absurdist humor: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Register
Satirical · 5% of filmsPlayfulAbsurdist · 7% of films: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its absurd premise with knowing self-awareness, constantly mocking the conventions of high school movies and buddy cop films.
The rideThe film sustains a high-energy, comedic tone with action beats, but the absurdity is constant rather than concentrated in any single act.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically from the protagonists' high school past through their undercover operation and climax.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you laughing and satisfied, with a feel-good ending where the duo reconciles and gets a new assignment.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Comedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% (this title) · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Buddy comedy: A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).

11% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeTwo mismatched cops go undercover as high school students to infiltrate a drug ring, relying on mistaken identities and buddy comedy dynamics.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfIdentitySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% (this title) · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Identity · 14% of filmsFriendship · 9% of filmsSelf-worth · 7% of films
Satirizes its theme: Attacks its theme through ridicule.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores the gap between who the cops think they are and who they become when forced back into the high-school social ecosystem.
StanceThe film satirizes high school social hierarchies and the cops' own misplaced nostalgia, treating identity as a performance that can be put on and shed.

The world

ContemporarySuburbanInstitutionalStylized realism
Orchestral modernElectronicForeground music · hybrid
SettingA suburban high school where the two cops go undercover
MusicMothersbaugh's score plays up the buddy-comedy and action beats with a playful, electronic edge.

Content guide

Is 21 Jump Street okay for kids?

R

21 Jump Street is rated R: “Rated R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language, drug material, teen drinking and some violence” (MPAA). As of September 28, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (71/100), sexual content at intense (62/100), language at severe (94/100), drug and alcohol content at severe (87/100) and frightening material at moderate (36/100). Overall it is heavier than 87% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 27 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany12
  • Ireland15
  • New ZealandR16
  • JapanR18+
  • South Korea19
  • Brazil14
  • Belgium16
  • BGC
  • Czechia18+
  • Denmark11
  • GreeceΚ-15
  • Hungary16
  • Israelהותר לבני 14 ומעלה
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-16
  • MexicoB-15
  • Netherlands12
  • Norway15
  • Poland12
  • PortugalM/12
  • RO18
  • Russia16+
  • Spain12
  • Sweden11
  • Switzerland12
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 92% of all filmsHeavier than 87% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 52%
Sex & Nudity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 77%
Profanity
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 97%
Alcohol & Drugs
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 96%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 19%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Heavy almost across the board: language, drug and alcohol content, violence, and sexual content. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does 21 Jump Street have?

MovieCove's classifier found 3 depicted content warnings in 21 Jump Street: Gore or body horror (moderate), Gun violence (moderate), Sexual harassment or grooming (mild). Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

ModerateGore or body horrorGun violence
MildSexual harassment or grooming

Cast and crew

Who is in 21 Jump Street?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Jonah Hill
as Schmidt
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Channing Tatum
as Jenko
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Brie Larson
as Molly Tracey
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Dave Franco
as Eric Molson
Rob Riggle
as Mr. Walters
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
DeRay Davis
as Domingo
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Ice Cube
as Captain Dickson
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Dax Flame
as Zack
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Chris Parnell
as Mr. Gordon
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Ellie Kemper
as Ms. Griggs

Crew

More like this

What are movies like 21 Jump Street?

Movies like 21 Jump Street include 22 Jump Street (2014), Superbad (2007) and The Heat (2013). Of the 12 closest matches, most are films about friendship, and several are satires.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

11 of these 12 share its story type: buddy comedy. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with 21 Jump Street?

63 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: teacher. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.