Questions
When did Beverly Hills Cop come out?
It was released in the United States on December 5, 1984, and went on to become the highest-grossing film of 1984.
Who directed it and who wrote it?
Martin Brest directed the film, with a screenplay by Daniel Petrie Jr. based on a story by Danilo Bach and Daniel Petrie Jr.
What is the movie about?
A street-smart Detroit detective named Axel Foley travels to Beverly Hills to solve his best friend’s murder, teaming up with local police to uncover a drug smuggling operation.
Was Eddie Murphy always going to play Axel Foley?
No. Several actors were attached before him, including Sylvester Stallone and Mickey Rourke, and the role helped shoot Murphy to international stardom.
What happened with Sylvester Stallone and this movie?
Stallone signed on but reportedly rewrote the script into a serious action film that stripped out the humor, then dropped out about two weeks before filming began.
Did Stallone reuse his ideas anywhere?
Reportedly, yes. He later repurposed elements from his rewrite for his 1986 action film Cobra.
Which other big names were considered for the lead?
Beyond Stallone and Mickey Rourke, actors reportedly considered included Richard Pryor, Al Pacino, James Caan, and Harrison Ford.
Who did the famous theme music?
Harold Faltermeyer composed and performed the instrumental theme Axel F, and the soundtrack won the Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack in 1986.
How did the soundtrack do on the charts?
The soundtrack featured three top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
How big of a hit was it at the box office?
On a budget of about 13 million dollars, it grossed 316.4 million dollars worldwide and stayed at number one for 13 consecutive weeks.
Did it set any records?
It held the record for the highest domestic gross for an R-rated film for nearly two decades, until 2003.
Where was the movie actually filmed?
The opening was shot in Detroit and Wayne, Michigan, while much of the Beverly Hills material was filmed around Los Angeles and in Pasadena, since Beverly Hills restricted filming after 10:30 p.m.
How did the idea for the film start?
Producer Don Simpson conceived the idea back in 1977 about a cop transferring from East Los Angeles to Beverly Hills, and Danilo Bach pitched an early 1981 version called Beverly Drive featuring a Pittsburgh cop.
How many sequels are there?
Three followed: Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), Beverly Hills Cop III (1994), and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024) on Netflix.
Has the film been recognized as a classic?
Yes. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, ranked number 63 on AFI’s 100 Years...100 Laughs, and was selected for the National Film Registry in December 2024.
