A ragtag batch of unlikely recruits turns the Police Academy upside down—rules, dignity, and all.
POLICE ACADEMY
Call them slobs. Call them jerks. Call them gross. Just don't call them when you're in trouble.
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!
Quick Answer
Police Academy is a 1984 American comedy-crime film directed by Hugh Wilson about a group of misfit recruits who join the police force after new rules remove entrance requirements, leading to chaos and clashes with their instructors.
Programmer's Pick
When everyone qualifies for the force, the force gets everyone—and chaos gets a badge. Police Academy revels in slapstick, social misfits, and the kind of training montages you won't find at Quantico. If you like your law enforcement with a side of shenanigans and a top-heavy ensemble of oddballs, this one's booked solid.
— Flashington Programmer
Details & Specs
- Director
- Hugh Wilson
- Writers
- Neal Israel, Hugh Wilson, Pat Proft, Paul Maslansky
- Release
- 1984
- Runtime
- 1h 37m
- Country
- United States of America
- Language
- English
- Also Known As
- Police Academy 1: What an Institution, Polisskolan, 学警出更, 金牌警校军, Academia de Polícia, Locademia de policía, Police Academy
Cast & Crew
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Explore More
Why Cult
With entry requirements scrapped, the academy fills up with every misfit, slacker, and wildcard that never made the cut before.
Steve Guttenberg's Mahoney locks wits (and pranks) with G.W. Bailey's boorish Lieutenant Harris, fueling the film's central clash.
From Michael Winslow's sound effects to Bubba Smith's gentle giant, the cast delivers a parade of memorable, oddball cadets.
Questions from the Vault
When was Police Academy released? +
Police Academy was released in 1984.
Who directed Police Academy? +
Police Academy was directed by Hugh Wilson.
How long is Police Academy? +
Police Academy has a runtime of 97 minutes.
What genre is Police Academy? +
Police Academy is a comedy and crime film.
Where can I watch Police Academy? +
Police Academy is available to watch on Flashington.
