Chris Tucker is one of the most renowned faces of Hollywood, thanks to all the comic roles he has portrayed and his real-life sense of humor. Sure his comedy roles earned him recognition but it might be unfair to wrap up his acting career in just one genre. Chris Tucker might not have many lead roles under his name but that never stopped him from making big in his career and was even the highest-paid actor at one point.
After his debut as a stand-up comedian in HBO’s Def Comedy Jam series, the audience was already impressed with his sense of humor and comedy timing. No one can forget his impressions of Michael Jackson which even impressed the pop star and Tucker got a chance to star in Jackson’s
music video.
To celebrate the talented actor we have listed the top 10 Chris Tucker movies which include some evergreens and some latest releases.
Friday
There is no way we would name any movie other than Friday on the top of the best Chris Tucker movie list. Released in 1995, the Chris Tucker and Ice Cube starrer is the first installment in the Friday movie series.
The plot revolves around, Craig, played by Ice Cube, and his buddy Smokey, played by Tucker. Their seemingly laid-back life is turned upside down when Craig is fired from his job on a Friday. The duo decides to smoke a brokered consignment of marijuana which Smokey was supposed to sell to a drug peddler and deliver the money to his boss, Big Worm. They have to fight against time for money or else they get killed.
| IMDb Rating: 7.2/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 76% |
Watch the trailer for the movie:
Money Talks
Money Talks is hands down one of the funniest Chris Tucker movies to date and if you are looking for a good laugh this has to be your go-to movie. The movie was not well received by the critics but was a box-office success nonetheless.
Tucker plays the character of Franklin, who gets involved in some minor illegal activities, like ticket scalping, for some extra money. When he gets arrested he unknowingly falls into a dangerous game of conning when confused with a wanted criminal. What follows is a series of tragic comedies that is sure to tickle your bones.
| IMDb Rating: 6.2/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 16% |
Enjoy the trailer for Money Talks:
Rush Hour
The 1998 release, Rush Hour, gifted us with the most loved pairing of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. This was the movie that started it all. The very first Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker movie. No one could have imagined this unlikely combo to be so successful that even after years it will bring smiles on the faces of people.
When the eleven-year-old daughter of a Chinese consul is kidnapped, two detectives are appointed for the mission, James Carter and Inspector Lee. The only problem is that they both can’t stand each other. The movie was so well received that two more parts of the movie were made in 2001 and 2007. Rush Hour will take you on a laughter ride and it is also considered as one of the top 10 Jackie Chan Movies, and Chris Tucker has some extremely funny moments in this movie.
| IMDb Rating: 7/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 62% |
Check out the trailer for the movie:
Dead Presidents
The Hughes Brothers’ directorial, Dead Presidents, was released in 1995 and is a crime thriller film. The movie revolves around a group of soldiers who participate in the Vietnam War. The experience is nothing less than a nightmare for them.
Tucker plays the character of a drug addict, Skip. When the soldiers return back home they struggle to find a stable job and Skip gets them involved in his plan of bank heist. The movie is set in the 1960s and does a decent job of convincing the audience. Skip’s character was well portrayed and received praise from the critics.
| IMDb Rating: 6.9/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 49% |
Here is the trailer for Dead Presidents:
The Fifth Element
The Fifth Element is a sci-fi action movie released in 1997, starring Bruce Wills, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, and Chris Tucker. The movie is set in the 23rd century when the survival of Earth and its beings is threatened by some evil forces.
An alien group called Mondoshawan visits the earth with the fifth element which can save humans from the upcoming destruction. The story takes a romantic turn when Korben Dallas falls in love with the Mondoshawan member Leeloo.
| IMDb Rating: 7.6/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 71% |
Enjoy the trailer for The Fifth Element:
Rush Hour 2
After the release of Rush Hour in 1998 fans were waiting eagerly for more Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker movies. The Rush Hour franchise gifted the audience with a sequel in 2001 titled, Rush Hour 2. The duo of Carter and Lee need no introduction and will make your two hours worth it.
The movie made a comeback with more intense action scenes and improvised comic one-liners. It’s true that we can never get enough of the iconic duo but the story in itself will keep you on the edge till the end and is definitely one of the most memorable Chris Tucker movies.
| IMDb Rating: 6.7/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 51% |
Watch the trailer for Rush Hour 2:
Jackie Brown
The 1997 release, Jackie Brown, is a crime film starring Pam Grier as the titular character. The movie is roughly based on Elmo Leonard’s novel Rum Punch in which Jackie is a flight attendant who gets caught smuggling money. But she is given a second chance if she could get her boss arrested.
In the movie, Chris Tucker is not in the lead but he definitely grabbed the attention of the audience with his screen presence and perfect comedy timing. The movie has an engaging storyline with twists that will keep you hooked to the screen. Tucker’s character perfectly makes his entry and provides the audience with a fresh breath of air.
| IMDb Rating: 7.5/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 87% |
Trailer for the movie Jackie Brown:
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Silver Linings Playbook
Based on Matthew Quick’s novel of the same name, the romantic comedy movie was released in 2012. It starred Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, one of the top Hollywood actresses of all time in the lead. While Robert De Niro, Jackie Weaver, Chris Tucker, and John Ortiz can be seen in supporting roles. The movie was a huge success and received the Oscar nomination in four different categories.
The plot revolves around a man named Patrick, played by Cooper, who has bipolar disorder and is admitted to a mental institution. After losing his job and his wife, he is keen on getting his life on track and finding the silver lining. He meets Tiffany, played by Jennifer Lawrence, who assures to help him get back with his wife only if he would participate in a dance competition with her. Eventually, they start bonding and share a deep connection.
| IMDb Rating: 7.7/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 92% |
Check out the trailer for Silver Linings Playbook:
Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk
The Ang Lee directorial starring Joe Alwyn, Garret Hedlund, Kristine Stewart, Chris Tucker, and Vin Diesel was released in 2015. The war drama movie is the adaptation of Ben Fountain’s novel of the same name.
The movie is about a 19-year-old private who returns back home from the Iraq battle and is treated like a hero along with his squad. It gets hard for him to accept the heroic treatment when he starts having flashbacks of what actually happened on the day everyone has otherwise glorified. He expresses how uncomfortable it is for him to accept the glorification of the worst day of his life.
| IMDb Rating: 6.2/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 43% |
Watch the trailer for the movie:
Air
This is the latest Chris Tucker movie released on March 18, 2023. The biographical sports drama film stars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Marlon Wayans, Chris Tucker, and Jason Bateman. The movie showcases the origin story of the famous basketball shoe line, Air Jordan.
The movie is set in the 1980s when Nike was struggling to keep up with the market competition and how found their savior in Michael Jordan. Jordan at the time preferred Converse and Adidas but decided to trust Nike and the rest is history.
| IMDb Rating: 7.5/10 | Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 92% |
Enjoy the trailer for Air:
Conclusion
Chris Tucker might not have done many movies as the lead but has showcased that no role is big or small enough it’s the talent that matters. He has been part of many big projects and has successfully managed to stand out from the crowd. He will always be remembered as one of the best comic actors of all time in Hollywood.
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Soumya Nair is an entertainment industry enthusiast who loves to write and bring in all the gossip and news to everyone interested. She always make sure to keep a keen eye on everything that goes behind the glam and glitter of the industry.
