100+ Movies like 21 Jump Street
Fanboys
Both "21 Jump Street" and "Fanboys" follow a group of friends on a quest related to their shared passion - infiltrating a high school for a police operation in "21 Jump Street", and attempting to steal an early copy of the new Star Wars movie in "Fanboys". The friends face challenges and obstacles along the way, including run-ins with authority figures and adversaries. Their friendship is tested but ultimately strengthened by their shared experience. The movies explore themes of nostalgia, growing up, and the enduring power of friendship and shared interests. The protagonists undergo personal growth and gain new perspectives while staying true to their core identities and bonds with their friends.
22 Jump Street
22 Jump Street closely parallels the plot and structure of 21 Jump Street. Both movies follow undercover police officers Schmidt and Jenko as they are assigned to infiltrate a school - first a high school, then a college - to investigate the spread of a synthetic drug. Their partnership is tested as they adopt contrasting identities that align with their former high school personas, causing a rift between them. They ultimately reconcile and take down the drug supplier, often with the help of former Jump Street officers. The movies share similar themes of friendship, identity, and the challenges of undercover work. Key plot points like infiltrating the dealers' circle, attending school events, and taking the drugs themselves are mirrored across both films. The sequel directly references and builds upon the events of the first movie in a self-aware, meta-narrative style.
Dope
Both "21 Jump Street" and "Dope" follow the story of high school students who become entangled in the world of drugs and crime. In "21 Jump Street", two police officers go undercover as students to investigate a synthetic drug ring, while in "Dope", a geeky high school student accidentally acquires drugs and a gun and must navigate the criminal underworld to sell them. Both movies explore the contrasts between the protagonists' geeky personas and the dangerous situations they find themselves in. They also feature themes of friendship, coming-of-age, and the challenges of fitting in during high school. The protagonists in both films must navigate complex social dynamics, maintain their cover, and ultimately confront the drug dealers and criminals at the center of the conflicts.
Starsky & Hutch
Both "21 Jump Street" and "Starsky & Hutch" follow a pair of mismatched police partners who go undercover to infiltrate a criminal organization. In "21 Jump Street", Schmidt and Jenko pose as high school students to investigate a drug ring, while in "Starsky & Hutch", the titular detectives go undercover to take down a drug kingpin. The movies share similar themes of friendship, undercover work, and comedic misadventures as the partners navigate their new environments. Both films feature the partners initially clashing due to their contrasting personalities before reconciling. They also involve the partners developing romantic interests during their assignments. Ultimately, the partners take down the criminal operation through a climactic confrontation and car chase sequence.
Underclassman
Both "21 Jump Street" and "Underclassman" follow a similar premise of young police officers going undercover as high school students to investigate crimes related to drugs and illegal activities. The protagonists, Schmidt and Jenko in "21 Jump Street" and Tre in "Underclassman", infiltrate the high school social scene and navigate the challenges of blending in with the students while pursuing their investigations. They form bonds with key students, gain their trust, and uncover larger criminal conspiracies involving teachers or authority figures. The movies parallel each other in the central plot of undercover cops in high schools, the clash between their police duties and high school personas, and the ultimate resolution of busting the criminal operations. Both films also incorporate elements of humor and action as the protagonists navigate the high school environment while maintaining their true identities as law enforcement officers.
Let's Be Cops
"Let's Be Cops" and "21 Jump Street" share several key similarities in their plot and story structure: 1. Both movies center around two friends who pretend to be police officers, infiltrating a criminal underworld while maintaining their false identities. 2. The protagonists in both films initially take on the fake cop roles for fun or personal gain, but soon find themselves in over their heads as they get entangled with dangerous criminals and real law enforcement. 3. The movies explore the themes of friendship, finding purpose in life, and gaining confidence/self-respect through the protagonists' journeys while impersonating cops. 4. There is a romantic subplot involving one of the protagonists and a love interest who is initially unaware of their true identities. 5. The climax involves a confrontation with the main criminal antagonists, leading to the protagonists embracing their newfound courage and purpose, often joining law enforcement for real. 6. The movies blend action, comedy, and coming-of-age elements as the protagonists navigate their fake cop personas and face real-world consequences.
Central Intelligence
Both "21 Jump Street" and "Central Intelligence" follow a similar story arc where two former high school classmates with contrasting personalities reunite years later and become partners in an undercover operation. In "21 Jump Street", Schmidt and Jenko infiltrate a high school to investigate a drug ring, while in "Central Intelligence", Calvin Joyner assists his former bullied classmate Bob Stone, now a CIA agent, in stopping a criminal plot. The movies explore themes of friendship, redemption, and overcoming past insecurities. They feature action-comedy elements with the protagonists facing dangerous situations while navigating their high school dynamics. The climax in both films involves a major confrontation at a high school event (prom and reunion) where the protagonists resolve their conflicts and reaffirm their bond. The endings see the main characters embracing their true selves and embarking on new careers together.
Training Day
Both "21 Jump Street" and "Training Day" follow the story of police officers going undercover to infiltrate criminal organizations. In "21 Jump Street", the officers Schmidt and Jenko go undercover as high school students to investigate a drug ring, while in "Training Day", officer Jake Hoyt is evaluated by the corrupt detective Alonzo Harris, who involves him in various criminal activities. Both movies explore the moral dilemmas faced by the protagonists as they are forced to compromise their ethics to maintain their cover. The films also depict the protagonists' relationships with their partners and the tensions that arise due to their differing approaches and values. Ultimately, the protagonists in both movies confront the criminal leaders they were investigating, leading to intense action sequences and a resolution where justice prevails.
She's on Duty
Both "21 Jump Street" and "She's on Duty" follow the premise of police officers going undercover as students in high schools to investigate criminal activities. The protagonists, Schmidt and Jenko in "21 Jump Street" and Jae-in in "She's on Duty", initially struggle to fit in but eventually gain the trust of their targets. They develop romantic interests with fellow students, Molly and No-young respectively. The cases involve dangerous criminals, a synthetic drug ring in "21 Jump Street" and a notorious gangster in "She's on Duty". The undercover officers face betrayal from individuals they thought were allies. Ultimately, they succeed in their missions, apprehending the criminals and rekindling their partnerships or romantic relationships. The movies share a similar structure of undercover officers navigating high school social dynamics while investigating criminal activities.
Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd
Both "21 Jump Street" and "Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd" follow a similar story arc of two unlikely friends infiltrating a school environment to uncover a larger scheme. In both movies, the protagonists are initially outsiders who struggle to fit in but eventually gain acceptance and popularity among the students. They also face corrupt authority figures - a teacher and principal, respectively - who are involved in illegal activities related to drugs or financial fraud. The protagonists' friendship is tested but ultimately strengthened as they work together to expose the wrongdoings and bring the villains to justice. The movies share themes of friendship, outsider status, and navigating the social dynamics of high school or college life.
Flower
Both "21 Jump Street" and "Flower" involve young undercover operatives infiltrating and investigating illicit activities in their respective settings. In "21 Jump Street", two police officers go undercover as high school students to investigate a drug ring, while in "Flower", a teenage girl and her friends entrap and extort pedophiles. The movies parallel each other in their exploration of the blurred lines between the undercover personas and the operatives' true identities, as well as the moral ambiguities surrounding their methods. Both films also feature a central friendship or relationship that is tested by the undercover operation, with the protagonists ultimately reaffirming their bond. Additionally, the movies share themes of youth, rebellion, and the complexities of navigating societal norms and expectations.
Superbad
Both "Superbad" and "21 Jump Street" are coming-of-age buddy comedy films that follow two best friends navigating the challenges of their final year of high school. The central plot revolves around the friends' attempts to obtain alcohol for a party and impress their respective love interests. They face misadventures and hijinks along the way, including run-ins with law enforcement officers who initially antagonize them but eventually bond with them. The films explore themes of friendship, growing up, and the transition from high school to college/adulthood. The protagonists' journeys involve navigating social dynamics, romantic interests, and their evolving identities as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives.
Kickin' It Old Skool
Both "21 Jump Street" and "Kickin' It Old Skool" follow a similar story arc of two friends/partners who are tasked with an undercover mission in a high school setting. In "21 Jump Street", Schmidt and Jenko are police officers assigned to infiltrate a high school to investigate a drug ring, while in "Kickin' It Old Skool", Justin and his breakdancing crew aim to win a high-stakes dance competition at his former high school. The protagonists in both films struggle to adapt to the high school environment, with their personas and social status shifting as they immerse themselves in the assignment. They face opposition from antagonists (Eric and the drug dealers in "21 Jump Street", Kip and the rival dance crew in "Kickin' It Old Skool") who try to thwart their mission. Ultimately, the protagonists overcome these challenges, rekindle their friendship, and achieve their goals (stopping the drug ring and winning the dance competition, respectively). Both movies also feature romantic subplots involving the protagonists and their high school love interests.
Cheats
Both "Cheats" and "21 Jump Street" follow a pair of friends who engage in illicit activities at their school. In "21 Jump Street", Schmidt and Jenko are undercover cops infiltrating a high school to investigate a drug ring, while in "Cheats", Handsome and Sammy lead a cheating operation by stealing test answers and selling them to classmates. The protagonists in both films initially struggle to maintain their friendship as their new school roles pull them apart, but they ultimately reconcile and work together to take down the main antagonists - the drug supplier in "21 Jump Street" and the strict teacher Mrs. Herman in "Cheats". The movies share themes of friendship, deception, and navigating the social dynamics of high school. They also feature similar story arcs of the main characters gaining acceptance and popularity through their illicit activities before facing consequences and redemption.
Selah and the Spades
Both "21 Jump Street" and "Selah and the Spades" involve undercover operations in high school settings. In "21 Jump Street", two police officers go undercover as students to investigate a drug ring, while in "Selah and the Spades", the protagonist Selah leads a faction of students dealing drugs at an elite boarding school. The movies parallel each other in their exploration of the dynamics and power struggles within high school social hierarchies, as well as the challenges of maintaining a secret identity and navigating the complexities of adolescent relationships. Both films also feature a central character being groomed or considered for a leadership role within the undercover operation or drug-dealing faction. Additionally, the movies share themes of friendship, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions in these high-stakes environments.
F*&% the Prom
Both "21 Jump Street" and "F*&% the Prom" revolve around high school social dynamics and the divide between popular and unpopular students. The protagonists in both movies - Schmidt/Jenko and Cole - were outcasts in high school who get a chance to infiltrate the popular crowd years later. They form an unlikely alliance with former friends (Molly and Maddy) to take down the reigning popular students and drug dealers. This involves going undercover, attending prom, and ultimately exposing the corruption and shallowness of the high school popularity hierarchy. The movies parallel each other in depicting the protagonists' personal growth, redemption for past mistreatment, and delivering a message about the meaninglessness of high school social status.
Big Time Adolescence
Both "Big Time Adolescence" and "21 Jump Street" center around a young protagonist who gets drawn into an illicit world by an older, irresponsible friend. In "21 Jump Street", Schmidt and Jenko are police officers who go undercover as high school students to investigate a drug ring, paralleling Mo in "Big Time Adolescence" who gets involved in selling drugs at his high school under the influence of his older friend Zeke. The movies explore the themes of peer pressure, the desire to be popular, and the consequences of making poor choices. Both protagonists initially embrace their new rebellious personas but ultimately realize the error of their ways and seek redemption. The older friend figures, Zeke and Mr. Walters, serve as negative influences who enable and profit from the protagonists' illegal activities before facing justice. The movies share a similar narrative arc of the protagonists' descent into delinquency followed by a climactic confrontation that forces them to reevaluate their choices and relationships.
Brooklyn's Finest
Both "21 Jump Street" and "Brooklyn's Finest" follow police officers going undercover to investigate criminal activities. In "21 Jump Street", two rookie cops infiltrate a high school to bust a drug ring, while in "Brooklyn's Finest", an undercover officer named Tango is tasked with setting up his friend for arrest to earn a promotion. The movies explore themes of morality, loyalty, and the challenges faced by law enforcement officers. Both feature intense action sequences and portray the gritty realities of police work. However, "21 Jump Street" has a more comedic tone compared to the darker, grittier "Brooklyn's Finest".
Night School
Both "21 Jump Street" and "Night School" follow a similar story arc of two underachieving protagonists getting a second chance at education and redemption. In "21 Jump Street", Schmidt and Jenko are assigned to go undercover as high school students to investigate a drug ring, paralleling Teddy in "Night School" enrolling in night classes to get his GED. Both movies explore themes of overcoming academic struggles, finding friendship and self-improvement through the educational experience. The protagonists face challenges integrating into the student social dynamics, with Schmidt becoming popular while Jenko struggles, mirroring Teddy's difficulties concentrating in class. Ultimately, they persevere, gain confidence, and achieve their goals, with "21 Jump Street" setting up a sequel by assigning Schmidt and Jenko to infiltrate college, similar to Teddy's graduation and new beginning at the end of "Night School".
Brick
Both "Brick" and "21 Jump Street" revolve around undercover investigations in high school settings. The protagonists in each film infiltrate the student body to uncover illicit activities involving drugs and crime rings. In "Brick", Brendan investigates his ex-girlfriend Emily's murder and her involvement with a local drug lord known as the Pin, while in "21 Jump Street", police officers Schmidt and Jenko go undercover to bust a synthetic drug operation run by a teacher. The films share themes of navigating high school social dynamics, maintaining cover identities, and the challenges of balancing personal relationships with professional duties. Both feature climactic confrontations with the criminal masterminds behind the drug operations.