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Police Academy

1984·Movie
1h 37min·R

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Police Academy fingerprint

Funny.

Energy

Fast-paced

Fast from start to finish.

  • Fast Pace7
  • Adrenaline4
  • Tension3

Heart

Hopeful and nostalgic

Much of it is about growing up.

  • Hopefulness8
  • Nostalgia7
  • Coming of Age7

Humor

Plenty of situational comedy and slapstick

  • Situational Comedy9
  • Physical Comedy8
  • Wit & Wordplay6

World

Everyday modern life and growing up

  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7
  • World Immersion6

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Acting7
  • Direction6
  • Narrative Structure6

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Editing6
  • Music Composition6
  • Sound Centrality6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightParty VibePartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchBinge-FriendlyComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

The new police recruits. Call them slobs. Call them jerks. Call them gross. Just don't call them when you're in trouble.

New rules enforced by the Lady Mayoress mean that sex, weight, height and intelligence need no longer be a factor for joining the Police Force. This opens the floodgates for all and sundry to enter the Police Academy, much to the chagrin of the instructors. Not everyone is there through choice, though. Social misfit Mahoney has been forced to sign up as the only alternative to a jail sentence and it doesn't take long before he falls foul of the boorish Lieutenant Harris. But before long, Mahoney realises that he is enjoying being a police cadet and decides he wants to stay... while Harris decides he wants Mahoney out!
Classic 80s ComedyEnsemble SlapstickUnderdog StoryHumorous TrainingZany CharactersLighthearted EntertainmentPolice FarceHighly Rewatchable

Media

Questions about Police Academy

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Police Academy legally?

You can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Police Academy worth watching?

58
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 58/100 (IMDb 6.7, Rotten Tomatoes 58%, and Metacritic 41). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Police Academy rated?

RStrong language

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: strong language.

How long is Police Academy?

1 h 37 min

Police Academy runs 1 h 37 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Police Academy?

Critics50
Audiences67

Not quite. Audiences rate Police Academy higher (67) than critics (50). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was Police Academy a box office hit?

Budget$5 million
Box office$81 million

Yes, a big one. It cost about $5 million to make and earned $81 million worldwide, 18.0 times its budget.

What language is Police Academy in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Police Academy?

71ARATAUAZBEBGBOBRBYBZCACHCLCO+57

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Police Academy in 71 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Police Academy use?

Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?Yes-ManClose-Range CombatantSexy Soaked ShirtThe MillstoneSarcasm-BlindNice Job Breaking It, Hero!Le ParkourThe Door Slams YouDistracted by the SexyThe JinxCity with No Nameand 249 more

TV Tropes lists 261 storytelling tropes for Police Academy, including Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?, Yes-Man, Close-Range Combatant.