How many Beverly Hills Cop movies are there?

In 1984, action comedy Beverly Hills Cop burst its way onto screens. The film – which starred comedic actor Eddie Murphy in the role of smart-talkin’ Detroit detective, Axel Foley – told the story of a police officer who travels to Beverly Hills to solve a murder case.

Upon release, Beverly Hills Cop was met with praise from critics, as well as an overwhelmingly positive reception from audiences. Not only did this make the movie a big hit at the box-office, propelling Murphy’s career in the process, but it also paved the way for a collection of sequels.

But if you’re completely new to the Beverly Hills Cop movie series, how many movies are there and what is the viewing order? For all the details and more, keep reading.

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The Beverly Hills Cop movies

Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

As noted above, the first entry in the Beverly Hills Cop series is the appropriately titled, Beverly Hills Cop. The film followed the story of Detroit officer, Detective Axel Foley, who travels to California to track down the people responsible for murdering his best friend.

Due to Axel’s unusual approach to police work, fellow detectives Billy Rosewood and John Taggart are ordered to keep a watchful eye on him. Eventually all three join forces to ensure justice is served.

Here’s what It’s A Stampede! movie critic Alex Wiggan said about Beverly Hills Cop:

“While Beverly Hills Cop doesn’t necessarily do anything amazing with its story, and when boiled down it is a simple action comedy, the film get’s everything right. It delivers pure entertainment, doesn’t run out of steam, and leaves things on a high with a great shoot-out followed by a satisfying wrap-up.”

Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)

Due to the financial and critical success of Beverly Hills Cop, a sequel was soon put into production, reuniting many of the core cast from the first film, while at the same time furthering Axel’s story. The film – Beverly Hills Cop II – saw Axel return to California, after police Captain Andrew Bogomil is shot.

After reuniting with Billy Rosewood and John Taggart, the trio attempt to uncover the identity of the shooter.

Here’s what It’s A Stampede! said about Beverly Hills Cop II:

“While Beverly Hills Cop II is a by-the-numbers ‘80s sequel, and not up there with the original, it has enjoyable moments and there is fun to be had. Murphy proves to be the key player, and the relationship between Foley, Rosewood, and Taggart is worth coming back for.”

Beverly Hills Cop III (1994)

In Beverly Hills Cop III, Axel’s superior, Inspector Todd, is killed. Shortly after the funeral, Axel discovers several clues which point to the killers being involved with Wonder World – a theme park in Beverly Hills.

Returning to California for a third time, Axel reunites with Billy Rosewood, as well as Billy’s new partner, Jon Flint.

Here’s what It’s A Stampede! said about Beverly Hills Cop III:

“The whole thing is padded out, and no amount of celebrity cameos (George Lucas, Al Green, Ray Harryhausen, etc) can make up for the poor story and half-hearted direction. It should be better than it is, but it’s simply not.”

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)

Following the release of Beverly Hills Cop III, the Beverly Hills Cop movie series went on hiatus for twenty years, before returning in 2024 via the fourth entry, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. In this instalment, Axel returns to California to investigate corruption within the Beverly Hills Police Department and reunite with his estranged daughter, Jane.

Here’s what It’s A Stampede! said about Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F:

“Despite the ageing cast who look like they’ve been dragged out of retirement, and the fairly generic storyline and villain, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is likeable. For the most part, the film delivers enough action and laughs, and Murphy is committed.”

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The Beverly Hills Cop movies in order

To date, there are four entries in the Beverly Hills Cop movie series. Should you wish to watch the movies in order, then follow this list:

• Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
• Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
• Beverly Hills Cop III (1994)
• Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)

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Who are the cast of the Beverly Hills Cop films and are all the movies the work of the same director?

Eddie Murphy is the lead star of the Beverly Hills Cop movies, taking on the role of Detective Axel Foley. Murphy has fronted countless movies ranging from 48 Hours and The Golden Child, to Coming 2 America, The Nutty Professor, and Doctor. Dolittle.

Other notable cast members in the Beverly Hills Cop movie series include Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Ronny Cox, Steven Berkoff, Jonathan Banks, Bronson Pinchot, Paul Reiser, Brigitte Nielsen, Dean Stockwell, Gill Hill, Gilbert Gottfried, Jon Tenney, Joey Travolta, David Parry, Stephen McHattie, Kevin Bacon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Patricia Belcher.

In terms of the directors, the Beverly Hills Cop films are the work of the following:

• Martin Brest directed Beverly Hills Cop
• Tony Scott directed Beverly Hills Cop II
• John Landis directed Beverly Hills Cop III
• Mark Molloy directed Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

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Which is the best Beverly Hills Cop film?

According to IMDb the Beverly Hills Cop films are rated as follows:

• Beverly Hills Cop (1984) – 7.4/10
• Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) – 6.5/10
• Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) – 5.5/10
• Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024) – Not yet rated

According to It’s A Stampede!, the Beverly Hills Cop movies are rated as follows:

• Beverly Hills Cop (1984) – 4/5
• Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) – 3/5
• Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) – 2/5
• Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024) – 3/5

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Editor/writer/expert in Murphy’s law

Alex Wiggan

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I hope this information about the Beverly Hills Cop film series has proved useful. Should you wish to know more about other long-running movie series on It’s A Stampede!, please check out one of the recommended reads below.