History of Beverly Hills Cop in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 5, 2024

"Beverly Hills Cop" is a 1984 action comedy film about Axel Foley, a Detroit detective played by Eddie Murphy, who travels to Beverly Hills to investigate the murder of his friend. The film, directed by Martin Brest, features a supporting cast including Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, and Ronny Cox.

1977: Inception of Beverly Hills Cop Concept

The initial concept for "Beverly Hills Cop" emerged in 1977 when Paramount executive Don Simpson conceived a film idea centered around a cop from East L.A. who relocates to Beverly Hills.

1981: Initial Screenplay Development for Beverly Hills Cop

In 1981, screenwriter Danilo Bach presented his screenplay "Beverly Drive" to Paramount. The story revolved around a Pittsburgh cop named Elly Axel.

1983: Influence of Flashdance on Beverly Hills Cop

The success of the 1983 film "Flashdance" motivated Paramount executive Don Simpson to prioritize the "Beverly Hills Cop" project, seeing its potential for similar success.

May 1984: Commencement of Filming for Beverly Hills Cop

Production for "Beverly Hills Cop" commenced in May 1984. The filming process extended throughout the summer, primarily taking place in and around Los Angeles, with the opening sequence shot in Detroit, Michigan.

December 5, 1984: Release of Beverly Hills Cop

On December 5, 1984, "Beverly Hills Cop" debuted in theaters across the United States. The film's release marked the beginning of its journey to becoming a cinematic success.

1984: "Beverly Hills Cop" Tops Box Office

"Beverly Hills Cop" dominated the box office upon its release in 1984, securing its position as the highest-grossing film of the year.

1984: Sylvester Stallone's Departure from Beverly Hills Cop

Sylvester Stallone withdrew from the lead role in "Beverly Hills Cop" in 1984, shortly before filming was set to commence. He reportedly left to focus on his film "Rhinestone," released the same year.

1984: Beverly Hills Cop Film Release

The action comedy film, Beverly Hills Cop, directed by Martin Brest, was released in 1984. The film features Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley, a Detroit detective who travels to Beverly Hills to investigate the murder of his friend.

1984: Beverly Hills Cop Box Office Success

Upon its release in 1984, "Beverly Hills Cop" achieved significant commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing film in the U.S. for that year. Its box office performance solidified its status as a blockbuster hit.

1985: Beverly Hills Cop Nominations and Awards

In 1985, "Beverly Hills Cop" received critical acclaim, earning a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy and the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. The film also won the People's Choice Award for "Favorite Motion Picture."

1986: Stallone's Unused Ideas for Cobra

Sylvester Stallone repurposed many of the ideas he had for "Beverly Hills Cop" into his 1986 film "Cobra."

1986: Beverly Hills Cop Soundtrack Grammy Win

The soundtrack for "Beverly Hills Cop" won a Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media in 1986. It featured popular songs such as "Axel F," "The Heat Is On," and "Neutron Dance."

2003: "Beverly Hills Cop" Among New York Times' 1000 Best Films

In 2003, "Beverly Hills Cop" received recognition for its enduring appeal and cinematic merit when The New York Times included it in their esteemed list of "The 1000 Best Movies Ever Made."

2003: "The Matrix Reloaded" Surpasses "Beverly Hills Cop"

In 2003, "The Matrix Reloaded" surpassed "Beverly Hills Cop" to claim the record for the highest domestic gross for an R-rated film, a record previously held by "Beverly Hills Cop" for nearly two decades.

2013: Development of a "Beverly Hills Cop" Television Series

In 2013, a television series based on "Beverly Hills Cop" was in development at CBS. The pilot episode, written by Shawn Ryan and directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, featured Brandon T. Jackson as Axel Foley's son.

November 14, 2019: Netflix Acquires Rights for "Beverly Hills Cop 4"

On November 14, 2019, Paramount Pictures granted Netflix a one-time license for a fourth "Beverly Hills Cop" film, with an option for a sequel. This deal marked Netflix's entry into the franchise.