Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
A standalone sequel released on Netflix in 2024.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is a 2024 American action comedy film. It marks the feature directorial debut of Mark Molloy, with a screenplay by Will Beall, Tom Gormican, and Kevin Etten based on a story by Beall. Eddie Murphy produced and stars in the film, which acts as a standalone sequel to *Beverly Hills Cop III* (1994) and the fourth movie in the *Beverly Hills Cop* series. The cast includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Taylour Paige, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton (in his final film role), Paul Reiser, Bronson Pinchot, and Kevin Bacon. The story follows Detroit detective Axel Foley as he returns to Beverly Hills to safeguard his daughter Jane and his friends while unraveling a conspiracy.
Development began in the mid-1990s under Murphy's production company. Over the years, various directors and writers—including the duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah—were attached, but the project faced repeated setbacks and languished in development hell. In April 2022, Molloy was brought on to direct, and production started in California that August. Jerry Bruckheimer returned as a producer, having worked on the first two films. This is the first entry in the series not distributed by Paramount Pictures or given a theatrical release.
The film debuted on Netflix on July 3, 2024. Critical reception was mixed, though many reviewers considered it a return to form for the franchise and a step up from its predecessor. It remained Netflix's most-streamed film for nearly two weeks.
**Plot**
Axel Foley is still a Detroit police detective, working under his friend Deputy Chief Jeffrey Friedman. After a chase for thieves causes significant property damage, Jeffrey retires to shield Axel from punishment and urges him to reconnect with his estranged daughter Jane Saunders, a defense attorney in Los Angeles. Billy Rosewood, now a private investigator after leaving the police force following a rift with former partner John Taggart, calls Axel to warn him that Jane is in danger. Rosewood has been helping Jane defend Sam Enriquez, who was framed for killing undercover Officer Copeland. Rosewood finds evidence in the murder vehicle but is kidnapped by a cartel.
Worried when Rosewood doesn't answer his calls, Axel returns to Beverly Hills.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Mark Molloy
- Screenplay
- Will Beall / Tom Gormican / Kevin Etten
- Story
- Will Beall
- Based On
- Characters · Danilo Bach · Daniel Petrie Jr.
- Producer
- Jerry Bruckheimer / Eddie Murphy / Chad Oman
- Starring
- Eddie Murphy / Joseph Gordon-Levitt / Taylour Paige / Judge Reinhold / John Ashton / Paul Reiser / Bronson Pinchot / Kevin Bacon
- Cinematography
- Edu Grau
- Editing
- Dan Lebental
- Music
- Lorne Balfe
- Production Companies
- Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer FilmsJerry Bruckheimer Films used the Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films logo in memory of Don Simpson, who produced the first two films. / Eddie Murphy Productions
- Distributor
- Netflix
- Released
- 3 July 2024
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film entered development in the mid-1990s under Murphy's production company, with various directors and screenwriters attached over the years, including the filmmaking duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. The project faced multiple issues and underwent development hell. In April 2022, Mark Molloy was hired to direct, with production beginning in California that August. Jerry Bruckheimer returned as producer after working on the first two films in the series. This is the first film not to be distributed by Paramount Pictures or theatrically released.
Reader's Guide
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F marks the return of Eddie Murphy as Detroit detective Axel Foley, who returns to Beverly Hills to protect his daughter Jane and friends while uncovering a conspiracy. The film also stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Taylour Paige, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton in his final role, Paul Reiser, Bronson Pinchot, and Kevin Bacon. The plot involves Foley reconnecting with his estranged daughter, a defense attorney, and facing off against a corrupt police captain. The film was the most-streamed film on Netflix for almost two weeks after its release, reflecting continued audience interest in the franchise despite mixed critical reception.
A Decade-Long Battle to Get Made
The fourth Beverly Hills Cop film has been a stubborn presence in Hollywood's development pipeline since the mid-1990s, when Eddie Murphy's own production company first greenlit the project before it stalled. Over the following years, the script cycled through multiple writers and directors. In 2001, Jason Richman was brought on to craft a treatment after impressing executives with his work on Bad Company. By 2006, Jerry Bruckheimer publicly announced plans to revive the franchise, though he ultimately passed the producing torch to Lorenzo di Bonaventura. Murphy himself described his motivation as wanting to correct the damage the third entry had done, calling that film "horrible" and expressing a desire not to leave the franchise on such a note. Brett Ratner was attached in 2008 with promises of an R-rated tone, and Michael Brandt and Derek Haas were later hired to rewrite the script. The project also saw the filmmaking duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah attached at various points. It was not until April 2022 that Mark Molloy, in his feature directorial debut, was finally hired, with production kicking off in California that August. Bruckheimer returned as producer after working on the first two films.
Axel Foley's Return and the Conspiracy Unraveled
In the 2024 film, Detective Axel Foley remains on the Detroit force under Deputy Chief Jeffrey Friedman, who retires to shield Axel from punishment after a chase causes costly city damage. Jeffrey pushes Axel to reconnect with his estranged daughter Jane Saunders, a Los Angeles defense attorney. Their rift traces back to a Detroit mafia investigation that forced Jane and her mother to relocate, while Axel stayed behind and the couple divorced. The plot ignites when Billy Rosewood, now a private investigator after a falling-out with John Taggart, warns Axel that Jane is in danger while she represents Sam Enriquez, a man framed for the murder of undercover Officer Copeland. Rosewood recovers evidence from the murder vehicle but is kidnapped by a cartel. Axel returns to Beverly Hills, gets arrested after a chase through Rodeo Drive, and gradually uncovers that Captain Cade Grant, mentored by Taggart, is running a cartel money-laundering operation. The conspiracy escalates through ambushes, a helicopter escape, and a final firefight at the cartel mansion where Axel is shot protecting Jane and Grant is killed by Abbott. In the aftermath, the SD card evidence clears Enriquez, and Axel finally makes peace with Jane.
Reuniting the Original Crew and Honoring the Past
The 2024 installment brings back several faces from the original trilogy alongside new talent. Judge Reinhold reprises his role as Billy Rosewood, and John Ashton returns as John Taggart in what is noted as his final acting role. Kevin Bacon appears in the cast, and the film introduces new characters including Detective Bobby Abbott played by Taylour Paige and Captain Cade Grant played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The ensemble is rounded out by Paul Reiser and Bronson Pinchot. Beyond the main cast, the film pays small but meaningful tributes: Christopher McDonald makes a brief cameo as a golf player, and photographs of the late Gil Hill, who passed in 2016, and Ronny Cox appear as Inspector Todd and Chief Bogomil, respectively, honoring actors who were part of the earlier films. In a personal touch, Eddie Murphy's real-life daughter Bria Murphy appears in the film as Renee Minnick, the officer who arrests Axel upon his arrival in Beverly Hills. Murphy himself stars and produces, carrying the franchise forward thirty years after the original.
A New Home on Netflix
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F marked a significant departure from the franchise's distribution history. For the first time in the series' run, the film was neither distributed by Paramount Pictures nor given a traditional theatrical release. Instead, it premiered on Netflix on July 3, 2024, reflecting the broader industry shift toward streaming platforms. The reception was mixed among critics, though reviewers broadly agreed the film represented a welcome return to form for the Beverly Hills Cop series and constituted a clear improvement over the 1994 third installment. The film's commercial performance on the streaming platform was notable: it became the most-streamed film on Netflix for nearly two weeks following its debut. This streaming-first approach, combined with the film's status as a standalone sequel rather than a direct continuation, signaled that the franchise was being repositioned for a new generation of audiences accustomed to watching films on digital platforms rather than in cinemas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F?
It is a 2024 action comedy that serves as the fourth entry in the Beverly Hills Cop franchise. The story picks up with Detroit detective Axel Foley heading back to Beverly Hills to assist with a case. It was released on Netflix as a standalone follow-up to the 1994 third installment.
Who directed Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F?
Mark Molloy directed the picture, making it his feature directorial debut. The screenplay was penned by Will Beall, Tom Gormican, and Kevin Etten, with the underlying story credited to Beall.
How does Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F connect to the earlier Beverly Hills Cop films?
It functions as a standalone sequel to Beverly Hills Cop III (1994), making it the fourth movie in the series. Eddie Murphy returns as Axel Foley, and both Judge Reinhold and John Ashton reprise their familiar supporting roles from the earlier entries.
Who is in the cast of Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F besides Eddie Murphy?
The supporting lineup includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Taylour Paige, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Paul Reiser, Bronson Pinchot, and Kevin Bacon. Notably, John Ashton's part in this film is recognized as his final on-screen role.
Where can I watch Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F?
The film was distributed by Netflix and made available for streaming on the platform in 2024. It was not given a traditional theatrical release.
More in Beverly Hills Cop 1-18
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced