The Police Story franchise is more than just a series of movies; it is the definitive index of Jackie Chan's transition from a traditional martial arts star to a global action icon. Spanning over three decades, the series redefined the "cop thriller" genre by blending high-stakes crime drama with death-defying stunts and slapstick comedy.
The first four films follow the adventures of (often dubbed "Kevin Chan"), a relentless detective known for his "Maverick Cop" attitude and absolute disregard for gravity.
Whether you are looking for the technical stunt mastery of the 1980s or the emotional weight of Chan's later career, this franchise remains a cornerstone of the Hong Kong Action genre.
The "Index of Police Story" is cited by many film historians as the blueprint for modern action cinema. Its influence can be seen in Hollywood franchises:
A direct sequel that sees Ka-Kui demoted to a traffic cop before being pulled back in to stop a gang of bombers. It features a more serious tone and explosive pyrotechnics.
A dramatic reboot directed by Benny Chan . Jackie Chan plays Inspector Wing, a disgraced officer struggling with guilt after his team is slaughtered. It features younger stars like Nicholas Tse and Daniel Wu .
Directed by Stanley Tong , this installment introduced Michelle Yeoh as a mainland Chinese officer. The action moved beyond Hong Kong to Malaysia, featuring a legendary helicopter-train chase.
Also titled Police Story: Lockdown , this mainland Chinese production features Chan as Zhong Wen. It is a somber hostage thriller set almost entirely in a nightclub, emphasizing dramatic tension over traditional kung fu. Cast and Key Figures Index Role / Film Police Story (I & II) Supercop (III) First Strike (IV) New Police Story 2013 Reboot Protagonist Chan Ka-Kui (Jackie Chan) Chan Ka-Kui Chan Ka-Kui Inspector Wing Female Lead May (Maggie Cheung) Jessica Yang (Michelle Yeoh) Annie (Annie Wu) Sun Ho-yee (Charlie Yeung) Miao Miao (Tian Jing) Superior "Uncle" Bill (Bill Tung) Director Jackie Chan Stanley Tong Stanley Tong Benny Chan Ding Sheng Cultural Impact and Legacy
