What are some action films (especially 80s movies) with drug dealers?

September 25, 2015 5:43 AM

I know that taking out drug dealers was a common film trope with the "War on Drugs". But I need to think of some and I'm coming up short. The more ridiculous the better, such as over the top 80's films starring Steven Segal, Jean Claude Van Damme, Arnold Schwarzenegger, etc.

For some reason the only one that's coming to mind for me is Beverly Hills Cop, but I know I've seen films with exploding briefcases of cocaine as the bad guys are shot with bazookas. Can you help me think of them?

posted by arniec to Media & Arts (27 answers total)

Lethal Weapon is a good one!
posted by nicolas léonard sadi carnot at 5:50 AM on September 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

The French Connection.
posted by AugustWest at 5:51 AM on September 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

The more ridiculous the better? 'Scarface.' 'Moonwalker.'
posted by box at 5:51 AM on September 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Crocodile Dundee Part 2
Robocop 2 (Nuuuuuuke!)
Predator 2
posted by banishedimmortal at 5:55 AM on September 25, 2015

Best answer: Predator 2
Tango & Cash
Marked for Death
posted by biffa at 5:59 AM on September 25, 2015

Best answer: License to Kill
Delta Force 2
posted by drlith at 6:04 AM on September 25, 2015

Best answer: Turner and Hooch!
posted by saffry at 6:12 AM on September 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

Not just License to Kill, but also The Living Daylights and probably other Bond movies as well.
posted by Melismata at 6:14 AM on September 25, 2015

Best answer: "Bad Boys"
posted by Petersondub at 6:18 AM on September 25, 2015

The entire Death Wish series.
posted by pravit at 6:25 AM on September 25, 2015

One of the greatest buddy cop flicks ever: Running Scared.
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:42 AM on September 25, 2015 [4 favorites]

Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection. (I think when I watched it a million times as a 12-year-old it was subtitled "Operation Stranglehold.")
posted by crLLC at 7:15 AM on September 25, 2015

Blow.
posted by Sphinx at 8:03 AM on September 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

"Kung Fu: The Movie" (1986) turned the old TV show into a "gotta stop the drug dealer" story.
posted by johngoren at 8:31 AM on September 25, 2015

Invasion USA
posted by Gorgik at 8:49 AM on September 25, 2015

Can't get more ridiculous than Miami Connection
posted by kapers at 9:14 AM on September 25, 2015

Gorgik beat me to it but Invasion USA needs to be on your list: I believe it has plenty of bazooka action (and some sweet grenade tossing) but the pièce de résistance is when Chuck Norris (I think) kills a woman by slamming her head to the table while she has a metal coke straw in her nose.
posted by yerfatma at 9:27 AM on September 25, 2015

King Of New York

It's not really over the top nor that ridiculous but a very good movie.
posted by kilohertz at 10:36 AM on September 25, 2015

I Come In Peace.
posted by Tanizaki at 11:17 AM on September 25, 2015

Last Action Hero had this memorable exchange:
Tough Asian Man: [answers the door] May I help you?
Jack Slater: Yes, could I speak to the drug dealer of the house, please?
Tough Asian Man: I beg your pardon?
Jack Slater: It's a beautiful day and we're out killing drug dealers. Are there any in the house?
posted by Green With You at 12:11 PM on September 25, 2015

Kindergarten Cop!
posted by fireandthud at 1:28 PM on September 25, 2015

Samurai Cop.
posted by cobaltnine at 6:23 PM on September 25, 2015

New Jack City! Times a million, oh man that's a movie.
posted by missmary6 at 9:16 PM on September 25, 2015

Above the Law
posted by Allez at 10:33 PM on September 25, 2015

Robocop 2 has been mentioned, but Robocop had this scene.

"You have the right to remain silent! You have the right to an attorney!"
posted by A Thousand Baited Hooks at 4:34 AM on September 26, 2015

A newer choice with an 80s feel: DREDD
posted by markjamesmurphy at 8:35 PM on September 28, 2015

80's all day!...
To Live and Die in LA
posted by nickjadlowe at 8:45 PM on September 29, 2015