Rush Hour

Released September 18, 1998 and directed by Brett Ratner, Rush Hour teamed Jackie Chan — already a superstar across Asia but still crossing over with American audiences — with fast-talking comedian Chris Tucker. Chan plays Hong Kong Chief Inspector Lee, flown to Los Angeles after a Chinese diplomat's daughter is kidnapped; Tucker plays LAPD Detective James Carter, saddled with babysitting him and resentful of the assignment.

The film runs on the contrast between its stars — Chan's precise, prop-driven physical comedy and genuine stunt work against Tucker's high-volume verbal improvisation — and on the friction of two cops who can't stand each other slowly becoming partners. Made for around $33–35 million, it was a major hit, grossing $141.2 million domestically and $245.3 million worldwide and earning an "A" CinemaScore from audiences even as reviews were more mixed (62% on Rotten Tomatoes).

Rush Hour turned Chan and Tucker into one of the era's signature screen duos and spawned two sequels, Rush Hour 2 (2001) and Rush Hour 3 (2007). Its soundtrack was part of the moment too, carrying Dru Hill's "How Deep Is Your Love." The original remains the sharpest of the three, remembered for the sheer chemistry of a pairing no one saw coming.