Police Academy (1984): cast, story & where to watch
1984 · Film · ★ 6.7
Released in 1984, Police Academy is a comedy and crime film directed by Hugh Wilson, running about 97 minutes. “What an institution!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. New rules enforced by the Lady Mayoress mean that sex, weight, height and intelligence need no longer be a factor for joining the Police Force. This opens the floodgates for all and sundry to enter the Police Academy, much to the chagrin of the instructors. Not everyone is there through choice, though. Social misfit Mahoney has been forced to sign up as the only alternative to a jail sentence and it doesn't take long before he falls foul of the boorish Lieutenant Harris. But before long, Mahoney realises that he is enjoying being a police cadet and decides he wants to stay... while Harris decides he wants Mahoney out!
Who’s in it. Police Academy stars Steve Guttenberg as Carey Mahoney, Kim Cattrall as Karen Thompson, G.W. Bailey as Lt. Harris and Bubba Smith as Moses Hightower, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.7/10, Police Academy has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $81.2M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Police Academy page.
If you liked it. Fans of Police Academy tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Police Academy (1984)?
- In US, Police Academy is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Police Academy worth watching?
- Police Academy holds an audience score of 6.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy and crime. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Police Academy?
- Police Academy stars Steve Guttenberg, Kim Cattrall, G.W. Bailey, Bubba Smith and Donovan Scott.
- When was Police Academy released?
- Police Academy was released in 1984, with a runtime of about 97 minutes.