When will Bad Boys: Ride or Die be released?

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 — gears up to hit cinemas this summer.

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. The upcoming Bad Boys: Ride or Die marks the shortest time between follow-ups — but what else do we know about it?

When will Bad Boys: Ride or Die be released?

Bad Boys: Ride or Die is set to hit UK cinemas and IMAX on Friday, 5 June — more than a week earlier than its original release date of 14 June.

The film has been confirmed to be 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 above.

What is the plot of Bad Boys 4?

Bad Boys: Ride or Die has been 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 Lowery 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 will lean more into the franchise’s humour than previous instalments 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.”

The director also teased the title, although, at that stage, nothing was officially confirmed: “The title that we like – I don’t know that they’re going to go for it yet – would be like Bad Boys: Ride or Die because Bad Boys 4 Life is already taken. We didn’t know there was going to be a fourth one, you know?”

Elsewhere, the mid-credits scene in Bad Boys For Life which shows Mike teasing a potential collaboration with an old foe could predict the type of story that we’ll see in Bad Boys 4.

In March 2024, Lawrence took to Instagram to confirm that filming on the sequel had officially wrapped. Sharing a picture of himself and Smith standing in front of Chicago’s Centennial Wheel, the star said: “Nothin’ but Magic every time I’m with my guy. See y’all June 7.”

Who is starring in Bad Boys: Ride or Die?

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

They’ll be joined by Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane who is believed to be playing the movie’s villain, although exact details about what makes him so villainous are yet to be revealed.

Some other Bad Boys For Life stars are set to appear, including Vanessa Hudgens’ Kelly, Paola Núñez's Captain Rita Secada and Alexander Ludwig's character Dorn. This time around Theresa Randle who has played Marcus’ wife Theresa in all three Bad Boys movies will be played by Tasha Smith.

Newcomers to the franchise include Better Call Saul’s Rhea Seahorn and This is Us actor Melanie Liburd - although nothing is known about their characters just yet.

Musician DJ Khaled is also set to appear as a character named Manny The Butcher alongside Ioan Gruffud and Jacob Scipio in unknown roles.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die will be released in UK cinemas and IMAX on Wednesday, 5 June.