21 & 22 Jump Street: The Last Great Comedy Franchise

1 week ago 10

Captain Dickson (Ice Cube) pointing and yelling in 21 Jump Street.

Published Mar 3, 2026, 6:00 PM EST

Zach Moser is a Philadelphia native who loves films, television, books, and any and all media he can get his hands on. Zach has had articles published on satirical sites such as Points In Case, Slackjaw, and McSweeney's.

21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street make up the last great comedy franchise, and the films have only aged well over the last 12 years. In 1987, Patrick Hasburgh and Stephen K. Cannell came up with the idea for 21 Jump Street, a police procedural drama following a squad of youthful-looking police officers who go undercover.

21 And 22 Jump Street Is The Last Great Comedy Movie Series

Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) pointing guns in 22 Jump Street.

21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street don't often get mentioned among the "classic comedies" of the 21st century, but 21 and 22 Jump Street absolutely deserve to be in the conversation. The comedy franchise used to be something. Ace Ventura, Austin Powers, Police Academy, and more could be consistently counted on.

Now, we are left with The Hangover as the only true "modern" comedy franchise, though it's far from great. The Naked Gun and Vacation have attempted to rehabilitate old comedy franchises with modest success. Only the Jump Street films can claim to be modern inventions, with every entry universally praised.

22 Jump Street Improved Upon Everything From 21 Jump Street

Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) driving a football cart in 22 Jump Street.

21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street are not just great comedy movies; they're part of one of the few movie franchises where the second film is better than the first. The first film sees Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) learning to become undercover cops and realizing times have changed in high school.

22 Jump Street ups the ante, taking the undercover officers to college. It's a brilliant choice, allowing a more eclectic group of characters to appear. It's funnier, smarter, and has stronger action elements. This doesn't mean 21 Jump Street is bad; it just means turn on 22 Jump Street right after you watch the first.

Both Jump Street Movies Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) pointing at a crime board in 21 Jump Street.

Both 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street have somehow gotten even funnier over the years. Hill and Tatum have incredible chemistry, and it's a wonder they've never done anything like this again. Lord and Miller's subversive storytelling and distinct direction are perfectly suited to the madcap world of movies.

The films are shockingly quick-witted, with tons of jokes layered on top of one another, but it never feels pretentious. There is gross-out humor, hilarious exchanges, and fantastic physical comedy, all combining with legitimately compelling crime capers to make 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street a comedy franchise that probably deserves a third film.