Ride Along 2

Ben Barber is about to tie the knot, but first he and his soon-to-be brother-in-law James Payton head to Miami for a high stakes assignment. The goal seems straightforward: stop a drug dealer who fuels Atlanta's street trade. The duo trade bravado for sharp one liners as they trail a slick crime boss through sunlit streets, crowded kitchens, and glittering night spots. The countdown to Ben's wedding ramps up the tension while they juggle undercover work with personal stakes, forcing him to respect James's experience even as he builds his own confidence under pressure. The movie moves fast on banter, car chases, and ridiculous misadventures, keeping the energy high from start to finish. Teamwork finally wins the day, proving loyalty.

Tim Story returns to direct, guiding a Miami sequel built on characters created by Greg Coolidge with screenwriting by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi. The cast includes Kevin Hart, Ice Cube, Olivia Munn, Tika Sumpter, and Ken Jeong, keeping humor.

It grossed exactly $124,827,316 worldwide on a $40 million budget, delivering a solid return for a mid-range action comedy and strengthening the franchise's financial viability in North America and overseas during a crowded release window. A solid follow up overall.

Critics were mixed, with praise for Hart and Ice Cube delivering brisk back and forth and criticism for some predictable humor. The film explores loyalty and responsibility in a bromance stitched to a wedding, as two very different cops learn to cooperate. Some scenes land, while others rely on tropes.

The film reinforced the Hart Ice Cube buddy dynamic and the Miami action comedy staple, contributing to a trend of sequels doubling down on comic teams. While not breaking new ground, it helped sustain the franchise's popularity in theaters. The pairing helped set expectations for future installments and audience loyalty.