How to watch Bad Boys: Ride or Die

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence continue to prove that they’re not too old for this s*** just yet as action sequel Bad Boys: Ride or Die — also known as Bad Boys 4 — hits streaming.

The film marks the fourth instalment of a franchise that started way back in 1995. Helmed by Michael Bay in his directorial debut, the original Bad Boys formed part of a wider collection of action movies released around the same time — including films like Men in Black and Independence Day — that cemented Smith’s status as Hollywood’s newest star.

Since then, Smith and Lawrence have returned to their Bad Boys roles for two sequels, including 2003’s Bad Boys II and 2020’s Bad Boys For Life. Bad Boys: Ride or Die marks the shortest time between follow-ups — but what else do we know about it?

How can I watch Bad Boys: Ride or Die?

Bad Boys: Ride or Die is available to buy and rent now from Prime Video, Apple TV, Sky Store and other streaming services. It was originally released in UK cinemas and IMAX on Wednesday, 5 June.

The film was in the works as far back as 2020 but it was put on hold after Smith infamously hit comedian Chris Rock at that year’s Oscars ceremony.

For a while, the project’s future was uncertain until Sony Chairman Tom Rothman confirmed that it was still in active production. Filming took place in Atlanta and Florida and like many projects, was impacted briefly by the recent Hollywood strikes.

Is there a trailer for Bad Boys: Ride or Die?

Yes. The first trailer for Bad Boys: Ride or Die was released by Sony Pictures in March 2024. Watch it below.

Who is starring in Bad Boys: Ride or Die?

Lawrence and Smith are back once again as detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, respectively.

Several stars from Bad Boys For Life return, including Vanessa Hudgens’ weapons expert Kelly, Paola Núñez’s Captain Rita Secada, Jacob Scipio’s villainous Armando Aretas, and Alexander Ludwig’s tech whizz Dorn.

They’re joined by Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane, who an ex-intelligence operative called James McGrath. Tasha Smith plays Marcus’ wife Theresa, replacing Theresa Randle, who portrayed the character in all three previous Bad Boys films.

Other newcomers to the franchise include Better Call Saul’s Rhea Seahorn, This is Us actor Melanie Liburd and Girls Trip star Tiffany Haddish. The cast is rounded out by Fantastic Four’s Ioan Gruffudd and musician DJ Khaled.

What happens in Bad Boys: Ride or Die?

Bad Boys: Ride or Die was helmed by directing duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the same filmmakers who brought us 2020’s Bad Boys For Life. You may also recognise their names as the directors of DC’s Batgirl movie which was indefinitely shelved after production had wrapped.

The official synopsis explains: “This summer, the world’s favourite Bad Boys are back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your seat action and outrageous comedy but this time with a twist: Miami’s finest are now on the run.”

The trailer shows that Lowrey and Burnett find themselves on the wrong side of the law when their former captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano) gets framed for working with drug cartels “for years”. The pair set out to clear his name, but end up getting set up for a crime they didn’t commit.

During an interview with The Playlist, co-director El Arbi revealed that the sequel leans more into the franchise’s humour than previous installments and will act as a book-end for one of its characters.

“I think that there’s going to be way more comedy,” revealed El Arbi. “The third one had the dramatic tone. With this one, it’s really our purpose to get people laughing and having a good time in the theatre. Martin [Lawrence] is going to a higher level in this one. This is the culmination of the Marcus Burnett arc.”

Bad Boys: Ride or Die is available to buy and rent