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R.I.P.D.

R.I.P.D.

To protect and serve the living.

201396 minPG-13Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films
Director
Robert Schwentke
Starring
Jeff Bridges, Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Bacon, Mary-Louise Parker

A recently slain cop joins a team of undead police officers working for the Rest in Peace Department and tries to find the man who murdered him.

Where to watch

Where can I watch R.I.P.D.?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists R.I.P.D. streaming on Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about R.I.P.D.?

R.I.P.D. earns 6 badges, led by Overhyped and Box Office Flop.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is R.I.P.D. worth watching?

R.I.P.D.'s Midcredits score is the 22nd percentile of all films, from 290K ratings across 6 sources. 32% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

22nd percentile

Better received than 22% of films

10th percentile among Animation23rd percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)21st
Approval (how many liked it)26th

52 /100

21st percentile of all films

10th percentile among Animation24th percentile among 2010s

Critics 25 · Audience 54

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.8 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

32% liked it

26th percentile of all films

13th percentile among Animation25th percentile among 2010s
32% rated it 7–1068% rated it 1–6

Critics 13% · Audience 38%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

98th percentile

290K ratings across platforms

94th percentile among Animation97th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 21% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$130M
Opening weekend$13M
Domestic gross$34M
Worldwide gross$78M

Returned 0.6× its budget — 84th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree that R.I.P.D. is a derivative, lighthearted supernatural buddy-cop movie that borrows heavily from Men in Black and Ghostbusters.

Fans praised

  • Entertaining popcorn fun if expectations are low
  • Jeff Bridges' over-the-top cowboy performance carries the film
  • Surprisingly good chemistry between Reynolds and Bridges

Detractors panned

  • Blatant, inferior Men in Black rip-off
  • Unfunny script with forced, predictable jokes
  • Cheap-looking CGI and cartoonish monsters

What stands out

ActingDivisive55

Bridges' hammy cowboy schtick vs. Reynolds' flat, wooden performance

Pacing50

Fast but uneven; second half more engaging, climax feels rushed

Effects and spectacleDivisive35

Ambitious CGI but often cartoonish, dated, and phoned-in for monsters

CharactersDivisive35

One-note rookie/veteran pairing; underdeveloped and unmemorable

HumorDivisive30

Falls flat for most; sporadic laughs from Bridges' antics and avatar gag

DialogueDivisive30

Forced one-liners; Bridges' mumbling makes many lines unintelligible

Plot and storyDivisive25

Predictable, formulaic, full of plot holes and rushed pacing

Originality10

Almost universally seen as a shameless ripoff of Men in Black

Preferred by

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 10 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 1 point apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 2 points apart
  • US vs non-US 7 points apart

Watch experience

What is R.I.P.D. like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It never lets up and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
AbsurdTenseThrilling
Heaviest: throughout
Register
PlayfulWry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its supernatural premise with a knowing sense of fun, blending buddy comedy with action while winking at its own absurdity.
The rideThe film maintains a consistently over-the-top tone, blending action set-pieces with comedic absurdity, so the emotional weight stays evenly distributed.
StructureThe story follows a conventional beginning-middle-end structure: setup of Nick's death and recruitment, investigation of the Deados, and a climactic confrontation to prevent the apocalypse.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayLighthearted supernatural adventure that aims to amuse and delivers breezy entertainment without lingering weight.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).QuestMission
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% (this title) · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Mission: Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).

10% of films fit this archetype

with Overcoming the monster underneath

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeA deceased cop is recruited into an afterlife police force and tasked with stopping rogue spirits from opening a portal to Earth, driven by a personal mission to redeem himself and save his wife.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4% (this title)
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% (this title) · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Redemption · 6% of filmsJustice · 13% of filmsLoyalty · 4% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Cosmic stakes: Consequences reach beyond the world.Dual lead
How it treats its themeA corrupt cop gets a second chance to redeem himself by serving in the afterlife police force, emphasizing personal redemption and cosmic justice.
StanceThe film presents the afterlife bureaucracy as a satirical system, questioning its fairness while still taking the supernatural threat seriously enough to drive the plot.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalFantasy
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score
SettingBoston police precinct and the supernatural R.I.P.D. headquarters in the afterlife

Content guide

Is R.I.P.D. okay for kids?

PG-13

R.I.P.D. is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for violence, sci-fi/fantasy action, some sensuality, and language including sex references” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (60/100), sexual content at mild (30/100), language at intense (61/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (29/100) and frightening material at moderate (41/100). Overall it is heavier than 68% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 25 other countries
  • UK12A
  • CanadaPG
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • FranceU
  • Ireland12
  • JapanPG12
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil14
  • Belgium16
  • Czechia15+
  • Denmark15
  • Greece13
  • Hungary12
  • ItalyT
  • MexicoB
  • Netherlands12
  • Norway12
  • Poland12
  • PortugalM/12
  • RO12
  • Russia12+
  • Spain12
  • Sweden15
  • THPG-13
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 42% of all filmsHeavier than 68% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 70%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 52%
Profanity
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 91%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 40%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 44%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is language. Everything else sits at or below what PG-13-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does R.I.P.D. have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in R.I.P.D.?

Cast

3 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Jeff Bridges
as Roy
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ryan Reynolds
as Nick
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Kevin Bacon
as Hayes
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Mary-Louise Parker
as Proctor
Stephanie Szostak
as Julia
Robert Knepper
as Stanley Nawicki
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
James Hong
as Nick's Avatar
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Marisa Miller
as Roy's Avatar
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Mike O'Malley
as Elliot
Devin Ratray
as Pulaski

Crew

More like this

What are movies like R.I.P.D?

Movies like R.I.P.D include Ride Along (2014), R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned (2022) and Spenser Confidential (2020). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi, and several are stories about detectives.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

10 of these 12 share its story type: action comedy. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with R.I.P.D.?

1.9K other films share the rarest tag below, premise: squad mission. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.