How Many Police Academy Movies Were There?
The Police Academy franchise is a beloved series of comedy films that has been entertaining audiences for decades. The franchise, which started in the 1980s, follows the misadventures of a group of bumbling police officers as they navigate the challenges of law enforcement. But just how many Police Academy movies were there?
The Answer:
There were seven Police Academy movies in total, released between 1984 and 1994.
The Original Trilogy:
The first three Police Academy movies, released between 1984 and 1989, are often referred to as the "original trilogy." These films introduced the main characters and setting of the franchise, and established the tone for the rest of the series.
- Police Academy (1984): The first film in the franchise, directed by Hugh Wilson, introduces us to the main characters, including Carey Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg), Larvell Jones (Larry Gilbert), and Moses Hightower (Bubba Smith).
- Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985): The sequel, directed by Jerry Paris, follows the same group of officers as they try to prove themselves on their first assignment.
- Police Academy 3: Back in Training (1986): The third film, directed by Garry Marshall, sees the officers return to the police academy for further training, where they face new challenges and villains.
The Middle Films:
The next two Police Academy movies, released in the late 1980s and early 1990s, are often referred to as the "middle films" of the franchise.
- Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987): Directed by John Landis, this film sees the officers team up with a group of citizens to fight crime in their community.
- Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach (1988): The fifth film, directed by Alan Metter, follows the officers as they travel to Miami Beach for a conference, where they become embroiled in a crime spree.
The Later Films:
The final two Police Academy movies, released in the early 1990s, are often considered the weaker links in the franchise.
- Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989): Directed by Peter Bonerz, this film sees the officers face off against a group of terrorists who are threatening the city.
- Police Academy: Mission to Moscow (1994): The final film in the franchise, directed by Alan Metter, follows the officers as they travel to Moscow to stop a group of villains who are trying to steal a valuable artifact.
Why the Franchise Ended:
Despite the success of the early Police Academy movies, the franchise began to decline in popularity with the release of Police Academy 6. The film received mixed reviews and was a commercial disappointment. The final film, Police Academy: Mission to Moscow, was widely panned by critics and audiences alike, and marked the end of the franchise.
Table: Police Academy Movie List
| Movie Title | Release Year | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police Academy | 1984 | Hugh Wilson | Introduces the main characters and setting of the franchise |
| Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment | 1985 | Jerry Paris | Follows the same group of officers as they try to prove themselves on their first assignment |
| Police Academy 3: Back in Training | 1986 | Garry Marshall | Sees the officers return to the police academy for further training |
| Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol | 1987 | John Landis | Teams up the officers with a group of citizens to fight crime |
| Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach | 1988 | Alan Metter | Follows the officers as they travel to Miami Beach for a conference |
| Police Academy 6: City Under Siege | 1989 | Peter Bonerz | Sees the officers face off against a group of terrorists |
| Police Academy: Mission to Moscow | 1994 | Alan Metter | Final film in the franchise, widely panned by critics and audiences |
Conclusion:
The Police Academy franchise may not have ended on the highest note, but it remains a beloved and iconic part of comedy film history. With seven movies released between 1984 and 1994, the franchise entertained audiences for over a decade. While some of the later films may have been weaker than the earlier ones, the series as a whole remains a classic and a testament to the power of comedy.
