Theaction comedy is a genre that combines aspects ofaction andcomedy. Films in this genre feature "fast and furious" action that is mostly lighthearted, with humor often derived from the characters rather than intense action sequences. Early examples includeThe General (1926) and swashbuckler films of the 1930s, while the genre became more common in the 1980s withbuddy cop films and works featuring actors likeJackie Chan. In the 1990s, the genre incorporated more violent humor, and it continued to evolve in the 21st century with numerous notable films.

Action comedy has also been a recurring theme in television, with series such asThe Dukes of Hazzard (1979–1985) andPeacemaker (2022).

AllMovie describes action comedy films as those with "fast and furious" action yet being "mostly lighthearted", rarely having death or serious injury.^[1] The Script Lab wrote, "[The genre] relies on the characters to bring out the humor, while the action scenes tend to be less intense than in the traditional action movie."^[2]

Action comedies often have "fish out of water" themes; for example, using a starring actor's celebrity to contrast the setting, such as how comedian and actorEddie Murphy's "streetwise, sarcastic persona clashes with conventional police procedures in theBeverly Hills Cop films" in the late twentieth century.^[3]

The 1926 filmThe General starringBuster Keaton may be the first action comedy film.^[4] Other early forms of action comedy films wereswashbuckler films from the 1930s.Allmovie wrote that its "stars combined wit and one-liners with a thrilling plot and daring stunts". In the 1980s, the genre became commonplace, andbuddy cop films emerged as an extension of action comedy films such asMidnight Run (1988) and theLethal Weapon film series.^[1] Other action comedies from the decade includedThe Blues Brothers (1980) and the films of actor and martial artistJackie Chan.^[5]

In the 1990s, action comedy films "became more violent, with fiery deaths and emphatic shootings increasingly used as punchlines".^[1]Rotten Tomatoes wrote thatRush Hour (1998) revitalized the genre's formula and thatLock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) was a highlight from the decade. In the first two decades of the 21st century, the filmsKung Fu Hustle (2004),Hot Fuzz (2007),Tropic Thunder (2008),21 Jump Street (2012), andBad Boys for Life (2020) were among numerous instances of the genre.^[5]

• King, Cynthia M. (2009). "Comedy in Action". In Kendrick, James (ed.).A Companion to the Action Film. Wiley. pp. 140–164.ISBN 978-1-119-10076-8.

• Action comedy
• Action genres
• Comedy genres
• Film genres
• Lists of films by genre
• Television genres

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