Bad Boys: Ride or Die

Lore & Background

Following the opening weekend box-office success of Bad Boys for Life, Sony announced plans for a fourth Bad Boys installment, with Chris Bremner returning to write the script. In April 2022, production was reportedly halted due to the incident with Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony and the subsequent investigation. Eventually, it was announced that the film was in pre-production in February 2023, with principal photography beginning on April 3, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia and ending on March 4, 2024. The film premiered at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on May 22, 2024, and was released in the United States on June 7 by Sony Pictures Releasing under its Columbia Pictures label.

Reader's Guide

Bad Boys: Ride or Die continues the story of Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, who attempt to clear the name of their late Captain Conrad Howard after he is falsely accused of conspiracy. The film grossed $405 million worldwide against a production budget of $100 million and received mixed reviews from critics. It features returning cast members Joe Pantoliano, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, and Jacob Scipio, with Tasha Smith replacing Theresa Randle as Theresa Burnett. New cast members include Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Melanie Liburd, and Rhea Seehorn. The film's production was delayed due to the 2022 Academy Awards incident but ultimately completed. Its significance lies in being the fourth entry of a long-running franchise, maintaining the duo's chemistry while introducing new characters and a plot involving corruption within law enforcement.

Did You Know?

• Michael Bay, who directed the first two installments, makes a cameo appearance as a Porsche driver.
• The film's working title was originally 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' by co-director Adil El Arbi, confirmed in early 2024.
• Joe Pantoliano returned as Captain Conrad Howard despite his character's death in the previous film, thanks to Will Smith insisting on bringing him back.
• The lead single of the soundtrack is 'Tonight' by Black Eyed Peas and El Alfa featuring Becky G.

Plot & Narrative Arc

Four years after Isabel Aretas's death, Mike Lowrey marries his physical therapist Christine, only for Marcus Burnett to suffer a heart attack at the reception and fall into a coma. In his unconscious state, Marcus receives a vision from the late Captain Conrad Howard, who tells him it is not his time. Upon waking, Marcus becomes convinced he cannot die. The story's engine is a conspiracy: conspirators forced a Miami money launderer to wire funds into Howard's account, fabricated records, and assassinated him, linking the captain to a cartel. Mike and Marcus, aided by Captain Rita Secada and mayoral candidate Adam Lockwood, work to clear Howard's legacy. They visit Mike's son Armando Aretas, imprisoned for Howard's murder, who reveals the captain knew the true culprits. A fail-safe video from Howard's computer exposes corruption within law enforcement. Branded fugitives after a helicopter crash, the trio is hunted by police and criminals. The conspiracy traces to James McGrath, a former Army Ranger and DEA agent tortured by the cartel. The climax at a former alligator-themed amusement park ends with Lockwood devoured by an alligator and Mike killing McGrath after shooting Marcus in his bulletproof vest. Judy Howard, Conrad's daughter, spares Armando after Callie reveals he saved her life.

Production & Development

Following the strong opening weekend of Bad Boys for Life in 2020, Sony greenlit a fourth entry with Chris Bremner returning as screenwriter. However, the project hit a significant snag in April 2022 when production was reportedly halted following Will Smith's infamous slap of Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards and the subsequent investigation. The film eventually resumed, with pre-production confirmed in February 2023. Principal photography began on April 3, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia, and wrapped on March 4, 2024. Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah directed, continuing their work from the previous installment. The production team included Will Smith, Jerry Bruckheimer, Doug Belgrad, and Chad Oman, with the screenplay by Chris Bremner and Will Beall. The movie premiered at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on May 22, 2024, before its U.S. release on June 7 under Sony Pictures Releasing's Columbia Pictures banner.

Cast & Character Dynamics

The fourth installment reunites Will Smith as Mike Lowrey and Martin Lawrence as Marcus Burnett, the buddy cop duo at the heart of the franchise. Joe Pantoliano, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, and Jacob Scipio all return in their previous roles. A notable casting change sees Tasha Smith stepping into the role of Theresa Burnett, replacing Theresa Randle who portrayed the character across the first three films. New faces include Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Melanie Liburd, and Rhea Seehorn. The narrative introduces several key supporting characters: Captain Rita Secada and her boyfriend Adam Lockwood, U.S. Marshal Judy Howard seeking vengeance, and the villain James McGrath. Michael Bay, director of the first two films, makes a cameo as a Porsche driver, continuing a tradition of appearances in the series. The ensemble balances the established buddy dynamic with new relationships, including Mike's marriage to Christine and the complex family ties connecting Armando, Judy, and Callie.

Box Office & Critical Reception

Bad Boys: Ride or Die grossed $405 million worldwide against a production budget of $100 million, marking a solid commercial success for Sony Pictures Releasing. The film was released in the United States on June 7, 2024, under the Columbia Pictures label, following a premiere at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on May 22. Despite its strong financial performance, the film received mixed reviews from critics, suggesting the high-octane action and buddy cop banter formula that defined the series delivered a more divisive experience for audiences. The $100 million budget indicates a significant production scale, while the $405 million worldwide total demonstrates the franchise still commands substantial audience interest four entries in. The film's position as a sequel to Bad Boys for Life places it within a modern era of the franchise directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, distinct from the Michael Bay-directed originals that launched the series.