
Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
Ride Along 2
By S. Jhoanna Robledo,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Formulaic sequel has violence, some funny moments.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ride Along 2
Community Reviews
Based on 6 parent reviews
Ride Along 3 suggestion
Report this review
Report this review
What's the Story?
A week before his wedding, Atlanta probationary cop Ben Barber (Kevin Hart) and his soon-to-be brother-in-law, veteran detective James Payton (Ice Cube), head to Miami on a mission to take down crime boss Antonio Pope (Benjamin Bratt), who's leading a double life as a legitimate Miami businessman. Convincing everyone else that Pope isn't what he seems may prove difficult. And it's unclear whether the guys can trust the hacker (Ken Jeong) who's double-crossed Pope and is now working with them. A local cop (Olivia Munn) might be able to help, but will she be enough to take on an entire crime syndicate?
Is It Any Good?
The original Ride Along smoothed over some of its many inconsistencies with the chemistry between its two leads; RIDE ALONG 2 doubles down on this formula, but it's wearing thin. Watching Hart and Cube develop into possible brothers-in-law in the first movie was reason enough to, yes, ride along with the thin plot. But this time around, Hart's Ben Barber doesn't seem to have gained any competency -- which would be fine, except the film relies on this cliche too many times. (Nonetheless, Hart still manages to squeeze some laughs out of the passable script.)
Adding Jeong to the equation mixes up the dynamic, but not by much. And Munn is a welcome addition, but the cast's considerable talents -- they're just fun to watch onscreen -- are wasted in this underwhelming sequel.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Ride Along 2. How does the movie's comedic tone affect its impact? Are all types of media violence created equal?
How is this movie different from, or similar to, other buddy comedies? Which are your favorites, and why?
Why do you think Ben puts up with his future brother-in-law's disdain? Does that seem realistic?
Movie Details
- In theaters: January 15, 2016
- On DVD or streaming: April 26, 2016
- Cast: Ice Cube , Kevin Hart , Olivia Munn
- Director: Tim Story
- Inclusion Information: Black directors, Black actors, Female actors, Asian actors
- Studio: Universal Pictures
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Friendship
- Run time: 101 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: sequences of violence, sexual content, language and some drug material
- Last updated: January 31, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Best Action Movies for Kids
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate