Ride Along 3 gets the green light from Universal

October 14th 2016, 8:50am

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Yep, you read that right.

Some movies, no matter how poorly reviewed by critics, seem to click with audiences. The RIDE ALONG series with Kevin Hart and Ice Cube falls into that category, which despite harsh critic reviews has been able to rake-in plenty of dough at the box office. The first was an unexpected success ($134 million domestic), and though the sequel made less ($90 million) that’s still enough to warrant more movies—which is exactly what we’re gonna get.

The Wrap got the exclusive from series director Tim Story that he and writers Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi are—*sigh* give me a second—currently working on a third entry in the buddy-cop series. Story talked about how they have some great ideas, and are currently cranking out a treatment:

“We’re writing the script right now, we’re writing away and basically, I’m waiting to see some pages and we’re excited for the idea and what it can be and of course bringing Kevin [Hart] and Ice Cube back together because they are the greatest odd couple in the world. I’m impatiently waiting for a script to be given to me. We have some great ideas.”

As mentioned in the quote the duo of Hart and Cube (doesn’t have the same ring to it as Abbott and Costello or Laurel and Hardy, but whatever) will return for the threequel, of which we can expect a January 2018 release date, as the first two came out in that month of 2014 and 2016. Makes sense, as I’ve read that January is the most depressing month of the year.

Playful jabs aside I don’t exactly have to spell it out for you that these movies aren’t my cup of tea, but for some people they’re their tea, coffee and whatever other hot beverage you can fathom. Some people truly love these movies, and Hart and Cube clearly like making them for that crowd looking for a laugh, which I guess is good in its own little way. This seems like more of an attempt to capitalize on Hart’s fame, but why they don’t make an original vehicle for him I’ll never know. Whatever. The movie is coming whether you want it or not. Oh well, if they get Olivia Munn in it again I can't be too bummed, right?

Expect RIDE ALONG 3 to roll into theaters January 2018.