The most entertaining buddy cop duos

One of the more underrated cop duos, Lecce (Richard Dreyfuss) and Reimers (Emilio Estevez) were popular enough from 1987's "Stakeout" to earn a sequel. Like some of the other pairs on this list, there is a yin-and-yang thing going here. Lecce's life is a little more in shambles than his partner's, but together the comedy is good enough to keep our attention.

Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) is all about business. She's smart but ruthless and has rubbed many a co-worker the wrong way while trying to advance her federal career. Mullins (Melissa McCarthy), meanwhile, is also tough but hardly as rigid. She works and lives by her instincts, and has no problem offending anybody with her actions or mouth when turning up "The Heat."

Now, Ray (Gregory Hines) and Danny (Billy Crystal) are a couple of "Running Scared" Chicago cops who would be pretty fun to hang out with. They work well together, are sarcastic, funny and don't mind pushing the limit to make a collar. However, they can be an little impetuous on the job, which tends to get them in a bind. Still, they are dedicated and truly are there to serve and protect — their city and each other. 

From the 1987 movie version of "Dragnet," Joe Friday (Dan Aykroyd) is a little more straight-laced and by the book than the TV version (all hail Jack Webb). Pep (Tom Hanks), meanwhile, is looser, willing to take more chances while trying to stop P.A.G.A.N. (People Against Goodness and Normalcy) from running wild. If Friday has one weakness, it might be "the virgin" Connie Swail.

In the film version of "21 Jump Street" (2011), and 2014's sequel "22 Jump Street," Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) are actually pretty entertaining when infiltrating a high school to bust up a drug ring, thus, giving the rather introverted Schmidt and light-thinking Jenko a second chance at reinventing that time in their lives. 

Jake (Adam Samberg) and Charles (Joe Lo Truglio) are best friends while working the "Brooklyn Nine-Nine." Yet Charles is essentially obsessed with his buddy. When Jake and Captain Holt are placed in witness protection, Charles is there to help get them out so his adopted Latvian son will get to meet Jake. The two are pretty good partners but tend to have the kind of fights brothers — or a couple — might endure.

"Ride Along" is actually about family — literally, as Ben (Kevin Hart) wants to marry James' sister. During their ride-along to catch smugglers, the more serious, determined and overprotective James (Ice Cube) and free-spirited, security-guard-wannabe cop Ben realize they might be more alike than they seem to think. The duo was also funny enough to earn a sequel in 2016.

It's not just a man's game in the 1980s. Chris (Sharon Gless) and Mary Beth (Tyne Daly) can hang with the best of them. "Cagney & Lacey" were good cops, smart and street savvy. They were also able to balance a demanding and high-risk job with their personal lives, especially, Mary Beth, who had a family to take care of and cook dinner for every night. 

Fans of 1989's "Turner & Hooch" should have special place in their hearts for Hooch, the French mastiff who teams up with Det. Turner (Tom Hanks) to catch the killer of his former owner. Like most buddy-cop flicks, whether involving humans or canines, it took time for the two to get accustomed to the other. When they do, of course, it becomes one of the most heartwarming relationships in the history of this genre of film.  

Tango (Sylvester Stallone) and Cash (Kurt Russell) are regarded as two of the best cops in Los Angeles. They're also rivals who don't like each other very much, However, when they are framed and head to jail, they need to rely upon each other to clear themselves and take down the evil Yves Perret (Jack Palance). Tango & Cash was a late '80s hit, thanks to the action and unforced chemistry between this unlikely duo.

As it turned out, Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) and Det. Crater (Chris Tucker) proved to be the perfect cinematic crime-fighting duo. Three "Rush Hour" films reinforce the point. The pair provide plenty of action (most via Lee) and comedic timing, especially from Tucker. Together, they get the job done and give viewers plenty of entertaining moments that we should have expected from two opposite personalities. 

During the late 1970s and the early 1980s, young viewers of "CHiPs" wanted to be like Jon (Larry Wilcox) and Ponch (Erik Estrada). These California Highway Patrol motorcycle cops were all the rave. They were unique to viewers, and Ponch was quite the heartthrob who made the ladies swoon. Jon and Ponch were also pretty good cops, and that celebrity roller skating party was something special. 

Agents K (Tommy Lee Jones) and J (Will Smith) are not your average law enforcement types, especially when dealing with extraterrestrials. But the best thing about their work relationship is that each learns a lot from the other. K is the veteran, who does things a certain way, while J brings a brash, confident approach to the job that allows his partner to open up a bit. The "Men in Black" brought the fun in two more films together. 

These "Bad Boys" are still going strong. Why? Because Marcus (Martin Lawrence) and Mike (Will Smith - him again) are good friends who have been through a lot together. These guys are the perfect example of "buddy cops," who can laugh, fight and kick a little butt when needed. And it's all amid the bombast of Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer. That bond keeps fans wanting more and coming back to watch.

Anybody else in the mood for a "Hot Fuzz " Cornetto cone? Angel (Simon Pegg) and Butterman (Nick Frost) fancy them while trying to solve some mysterious murders in South-western England. Danny also happens to be a big fan of the "buddy cop" genre and treats his real-life work as if he's in a movie, which, thankfully for fans of the film, is why it continues to be celebrated and appreciated. 

Being part of the "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" doesn't generate a lot of laughs. Plus, when you deal with the intensity and psychological effects of being a detective in this unit, it can be rough — physically and mentally. It's a good thing Olivia (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot (Christopher Meloni) have each other to lean on. Their chemistry is amazing, and they've been through enough that having the other to be there for comfort and support is what makes their friendship special. 

In the serious and intense world of "NYPD Blue," Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) and Simone (Jimmy Smits) had quite the bond. Both could obviously be gruff in their work, but their respect for the other was quite uncanny. Simone allowed Andy to be who he was, flaws and all. And, at times, vice versa. The love of friendship Sipowicz had for Bobby became obvious as the show went on.

Loyalty runs thick between Barney (Don Knotts) and his boss, Andy (Andy Griffith) within the streets of Mayberry. Now those streets are not too tough to handle, other than the occasional moonshine racket. Barney is a bit of a bumbling fool, but he means well and is pretty harmless. Credit Andy, and the rest of "The Andy Griffith Show" gang for putting up with his shenanigans. 

OK, yes, we're talking duos, but consider Axel (Eddie Murphy) a hilarious plus-1 to the team of Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and Taggart (John Ashton). However, by the third installment of the "Beverly Hills Cop" franchise, it's Axel and the newbie-turned-dependable Det. Rosewood who pose as a team. Still, Taggart's old school, bad-cop approach and Axel's casual, less stringent demeanor make for good comedy and ultimately mesh well enough to be successful.

Like the "Men in Black" guys, the "X-Files '" Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) are government officials focused on paranormal and other out-of-this-world phenomenons and characters. The progression of the relationship between Mulder, who believes in life away from Earth, and Scully, who favors a more scientific approach, is also what makes them one of TV's all-time favorite duos.

These two NYPD detectives can't be more different . Terry (Mark Wahlberg) is wild, jaded, disgruntled and living with the horror of shooting Derek Jeter. Allen, meanwhile, is more comfortable behind a desk doing paperwork. However, he's got a bit of a dark past and is shockingly a magnet of beautiful women, who actually comes in handy when it's time do some real police work to stand out from "The Other Guys."

Crockett (Don Johnson) and Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) had their moments of comedy, but working "Miami Vice" is serious business. Hunting down drug dealers and gun pushers can obviously be deadly, but Sonny and Rico made it look good. Hands down, they are the best-dressed cops in television history, not to mention, they tooled around in Ferraris and were usually surrounded by beautiful women. 

We're talking the original "Starsky & Hutch" TV series. Back in the 1970s, there might not have been two cooler detectives than Starsky (Paul Michael Glaser) and Hutch (David Soul). And it's not only because they were quality cops with plenty of streetwise savvy and connections, but they also drove around in easily the coolest car (that red Ford Gran Torino with the white stripe) in television police drama history.

Technically, Reggie (Eddie Murphy) is a not a cop. Rather he's a prisoner who ends up teaming with grizzled veteran Jack (Nick Nolte) to take down his former running mate on a 48-hour leave. "48 Hours" was Murphy's film debut and earned him some Golden Globe love. Many consider this as the springboard for the "buddy cop" genre that we highlight here. Plus, nobody, other than Sting," belts out "Roxanne" better than Reggie. 

Riggs (Mel Gibson) is a loose cannon who flies by the seat of his pants and likes adventure and the rush of danger that comes with being a detective. Murtaugh (Danny Glover), meanwhile, would rather play it by the book. Plus, he's getting too old for this...well, you know. Together, though, Riggs and Murtaugh are as good as it gets and have the kind of chemistry you need to face the challenges they come up against — in four "Lethal Weapon" films, with perhaps one more on the way.