Kindergarten Cop
A granite-jawed detective infiltrates an Oregon kindergarten, where controlling a roomful of children proves nearly as demanding as catching a drug kingpin.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- campy
- witty
- warm
- lazy sunday
- nostalgia movie night
What critics said
Critics generally found Arnold Schwarzenegger's comic timing and the improbable action-family blend entertaining, while viewing the film as tonally uneven and overly sentimental.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John Kimble's pursuit of Cullen Crisp unfolds alongside his comic attempt to manage a kindergarten classroom and connect with children.
Kimble's imposing police persona gradually gives way to patience, affection, and protective care toward his students.
The veteran LAPD detective must function as a substitute kindergarten teacher in an elementary school.
Arnold Schwarzenegger's massive action-star persona is repeatedly contrasted with the noise, vulnerability, and routine of kindergarten teaching.
Films like Kindergarten Cop, and why
twins
shared action comedy, fish out of water premise, and a physically imposing hero placed in an unexpectedly domestic role
red heat
shared buddy cop energy, crime investigation, broad humor, and late-1980s action-comedy tone
21 jump street
shared undercover law-enforcement setup, comic culture clash, and warm emotional turn beneath genre entertainment
last action hero
shared arnold schwarzenegger screen persona, action-comedy structure, and exaggerated one-liners
Movie Details
- Director
- Ivan Reitman
- Release Date
- 1990-12-21
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (2914)
Cast
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Penelope Ann Miller
- Pamela Reed
- Linda Hunt
- Richard Tyson
- Carroll Baker
- Joseph Cousins
- Christian Cousins
- Cathy Moriarty
- Park Overall
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, YouTube TV, AMC
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Kindergarten Cop about?
- A granite-jawed detective infiltrates an Oregon kindergarten, where controlling a roomful of children proves nearly as demanding as catching a drug kingpin.
- What is Kindergarten Cop like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Kindergarten Cop as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Kindergarten Cop violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Kindergarten Cop as moderate.
- What did critics think of Kindergarten Cop?
- Critics generally found Arnold Schwarzenegger's comic timing and the improbable action-family blend entertaining, while viewing the film as tonally uneven and overly sentimental.
- Which films are like Kindergarten Cop?
- Films with a similar feel include twins, red heat, 21 jump street, and last action hero.
- How long is Kindergarten Cop?
- Kindergarten Cop runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch Kindergarten Cop?
- In United States, Kindergarten Cop streams on AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, YouTube TV, AMC.
