There are exactly seven movies in the core Police Academy franchise. Released by Warner Bros., the series began with a surprise box-office smash in 1984 and spanned six sequels over the next decade, establishing a unique brand of slapstick comedy defined by eccentric ensembles, running gags, and unmatched vocal sound effects.
Understanding how many police academy movies exist requires looking past short-lived television spin-offs and looking straight at the theatrical chronology. While Hollywood has frequently flirted with rebooting or remaking the property, the classic cinematic canon remains a fixed, seven-part collection that charts the chaotic careers of Mahoney, Tackleberry, Hightower, and the well-meaning Commandant Lassard.
The Complete List of Police Academy Movies in Release Order
Every entry in the main series follows a straightforward numeric progression, save for the final installment. Watching them in release order aligns precisely with their chronological progression, as characters age, move through the ranks, and take on increasingly absurd international and domestic assignments.
1. Police Academy (1984)
- Director: Hugh Wilson
- Premise: When a mayoral policy forces the local police department to accept any recruit regardless of height, weight, or background, a ragtag group of misfits enters the academy. Led by smart-aleck troublemaker Carey Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg), who is forced onto the force to avoid jail time, the cadets must survive brutal training under the thumb of Lieutenant Harris (G.W. Bailey).
- Legacy: Produced on a lean budget, the original film grossed nearly $150 million worldwide and launched iconic character tropes, including Michael Winslow's human sound effects and David Graf's gun-obsessed Eugene Tackleberry.
2. Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985)
- Director: Jerry Paris
- Premise: Having graduated from the academy, Mahoney and his fellow officers are dispatched to a troubled precinct run by Captain Mauser, a scheming rival of Lieutenant Harris. The rookies must clean up a chaotic neighborhood terrorized by a notorious local gang led by Zed (Bobcat Goldthwait).
- Legacy: This sequel introduced Bobcat Goldthwait’s signature screaming persona, a character choice that transformed him into a franchise staple across subsequent entries.
3. Police Academy 3: Back in Training (1986)
- Director: Jerry Paris
- Premise: The state budget is tight, and the government decides to close down one of the two competing police academies. Commandant Lassard's academy—staffed by Mahoney and company—must prove its worth against a slick, well-funded rival institution, or face permanent shutdown.
- Legacy: This entry marks the first time the recurring graduates take on a mentorship role, training a new crop of eccentric civilian recruits.
4. Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987)
- Director: Jim Drake
- Premise: Commandant Lassard introduces a community policing initiative called Citizens on Patrol (COP), enlisting local volunteers to help fight crime. Naturally, the program attracts every oddball in town, culminating in a chaotic climax involving skateboarding cops and hot-air balloons.
- Legacy: This movie features early film appearances from future stars like David Spade and a young skateboarder named Tony Hawk, who doubled for actors during stunt sequences.
5. Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach (1988)
- Director: Alan Metter
- Premise: Commandant Lassard is honored in Miami as the Decade's Best Police Officer. The core squad tags along for a sunny Florida vacation, but things go awry when local jewel thieves accidentally kidnap Lassard after mistaking him for a man carrying stolen diamonds.
- Legacy: This film marks the departure of Steve Guttenberg, who chose not to return for the remainder of the franchise, shifting the ensemble focus toward other veteran cast members.
6. Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989)
- Director: Peter Bonerz
- Premise: A wave of high-tech crimes strikes the city, orchestrated by an anonymous mastermind known only as "The Wilson." The mayor calls upon Lassard's misfit squad to go undercover and track down the culprits before the city falls into economic ruin.
- Legacy: The series leaned heavily into cartoonish villainy and broad physical comedy by this installment, resulting in diminishing box-office returns in North America.
7. Police Academy: Mission to Moscow (1994)
- Director: Alan Metter
- Premise: Five years after the sixth film, the team travels to Russia at the request of the Russian police to help capture a ruthless mafia boss who is distributing a virtual-reality video game designed to hack global security systems.
- Legacy: The final theatrical film in the series features Ron Perlman as the villain and Christopher Lee as a Russian commandant. It remains the lowest-grossing entry in the franchise.
Beyond the Big Screen: The Animated Series and Television Spinoffs
While the cinematic timeline stopped at seven entries, the intellectual property expanded into other media during its 1980s peak. If you want more about the history here, Associated Press offers an in-depth summary.
An animated television series ran from 1988 to 1989, produced by Ruby-Spears Enterprises in conjunction with Warner Bros. Animation. It followed the adventures of Mahoney, Tackleberry, and the rest of the crew alongside a new group of canine crime-fighters known as the K-9 Corps.
Later, in 1997, a live-action television series attempted to revive the franchise for a new generation. Airing for one season of 26 episodes, it featured a brand-new cast of young recruits working under a nephew of Commandant Lassard, though original cast members made occasional guest appearances.
Why the Franchise Stalled
The sharp decline in box-office returns after the fourth film signaled audience fatigue. The movies had evolved from low-budget, slightly edgy 1980s comedies into predictable, family-friendly slapstick spectacles. By the time Mission to Moscow hit theaters in 1994, the formula had run its course.
Production companies, including Warner Bros., have spent decades discussing potential reboots or legacy sequels featuring surviving original cast members, but none have successfully made it past development stages.
Common Misconceptions About the Series
Fans often look for hidden entries or misremember the release order due to syndicated television airings.
- Are there any hidden sequels? No. There are exactly seven official films. Any other titles found online are either fan-made concepts or television episodes mislabeled as feature films.
- Did Steve Guttenberg appear in all of them? No. Guttenberg starred in the first four films and opted out of the final three, leaving the ensemble cast to carry the weight.
- Is there a modern reboot? While continuous rumors of a reboot spearheaded by actors like Paul Haywood or original producers have circulated for years, no official modern remake has been produced or released by Warner Bros..
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Police Academy movie is the highest-grossing?
The original 1984 film remains the most commercially successful entry in the franchise, earning nearly $150 million worldwide against a modest production budget of $4.5 million.
Did any famous actors get their start in the franchise?
Yes. Beyond Kim Cattrall starring in the original film before her iconic run on Sex and the City, the sequels featured early career appearances by actors like Sharon Stone (Police Academy 4), David Spade (Police Academy 4), and Bobcat Goldthwait (Police Academy 2, 3, and 4).
What order should I watch the movies in?
The chronological timeline matches the release order precisely. Watching them from the 1984 original to the 1994 Moscow installment allows you to track character promotions, marriages, and the gradual evolution of the ensemble cast.
Will there ever be a Police Academy 8?
Hollywood producers have floated ideas for a reboot or a legacy sequel for over two decades, but as of now, no active production has materialized to continue the series.
