The Jump Street franchise unexpectedly became a major comedic force in Hollywood. Originating from the 1980s TV show of the same name, the rebooted movie series starring Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill took the simple premise of undercover cops and injected it with self-aware humor and buddy-cop chemistry. Fans loved the adventures of Jenko and Schmidt, but for those wondering about the extent of their cinematic escapades, the question remains: how many Jump Street movies are there?
While the end of 22 Jump Street playfully teased a seemingly endless stream of sequels, the reality is that, as of now, there are only two Jump Street movies: 21 Jump Street (2012) and 22 Jump Street (2014). Despite the critical and commercial success of these first two installments, a direct sequel, often referred to as 23 Jump Street, never materialized. This article will delve into the reasons behind the missing 23 Jump Street, the ambitious plans that were considered, and the lingering possibility of future films in this beloved comedy series.
The Jump Street Movie Franchise: A Comedy Hit
Both 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street were box office successes, revitalizing the undercover cop concept with a comedic twist. 21 Jump Street saw officers Jenko (Tatum) and Schmidt (Hill) hilariously struggling to blend in as high school students. The sequel, 22 Jump Street, upped the ante by sending them to college, cleverly mirroring the typical sequel escalation while maintaining the franchise’s signature self-deprecating humor. 22 Jump Street notably outperformed its predecessor, grossing over $331 million worldwide, proving the franchise’s strong appeal and leaving audiences eager for more.
22 Jump Street Movie Poster
So, How Many Jump Street Movies Are There? Just Two… For Now.
To reiterate, currently, there are only two official Jump Street movies: 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street. While the ending of the second film jokingly suggested numerous future installments with titles like 23 Jump Street: Medical School and 24 Jump Street: Foreign Exchange Students, these were purely comedic teases and not indicative of actual planned movies. The intended follow-up to 22 Jump Street was indeed meant to be 23 Jump Street, but it was ultimately cancelled before reaching production.
The Story of the Cancelled 23 Jump Street (and the Men in Black Crossover)
The cancellation of 23 Jump Street is a somewhat convoluted story involving a highly ambitious crossover. Instead of a straightforward third movie, Sony Pictures, the studio behind the franchise, explored the idea of merging Jump Street with another of their popular properties: Men in Black. The concept, which became known as MiB 23, aimed to unite Jenko and Schmidt with the universe of alien-fighting agents.
This plan was revealed during the infamous Sony hack in 2014, generating significant buzz and expectations. However, the MiB 23 crossover faced numerous hurdles in development. Director James Bobin was attached to the project, but ultimately moved on. Jonah Hill himself expressed concerns about the crossover being too ambitious, potentially losing the grounded comedic tone that made Jump Street work. He stated it risked becoming “what we were making fun of,” suggesting the meta-humor of the franchise might not translate well to such a large-scale crossover.
Adding to the complexity, the Men in Black franchise itself stumbled with the 2019 spin-off, Men in Black: International, which was poorly received. This underperformance likely further dampened enthusiasm for the already challenging MiB 23 crossover, leading to its eventual shelving.
Will There Ever Be a 23 Jump Street? Cast Hope and Future Possibilities
Despite the cancellation of MiB 23, the cast and fans haven’t entirely given up hope for a third Jump Street movie in some form. Channing Tatum has consistently expressed his enthusiasm for returning, even praising a script he considers the “best script” he’s ever read for a third movie. It remains unclear if this script was for the Men in Black crossover or a separate, more traditional 23 Jump Street concept. Tatum has cited “bureaucracy” and “above the line stuff” as obstacles, possibly alluding to rights issues related to the Men in Black integration, even if that crossover is now unlikely.
Ice Cube, who played Captain Dickson in the first two films, has also stated he would be happy to reprise his role if called upon. This continued interest from key cast members suggests that the Jump Street franchise isn’t entirely dormant.
In conclusion, while fans are eager to know how many Jump Street movies they can enjoy, the answer is currently just two. 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street stand as a hilarious and successful duology. The planned 23 Jump Street crossover with Men in Black ultimately failed to launch, but the enduring popularity of the franchise and the cast’s willingness to return leave the door slightly ajar for potential future installments. Whether it’s a true 23 Jump Street or another unexpected comedic direction, the possibility of Jenko and Schmidt’s return shouldn’t be entirely ruled out.
