Top 10 Pop Culture References in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

#10: Disney Movies
Various

There are a plethora of Disney movie references peppered throughout this hilarious show. So we’d say it’s a pretty safe bet the writers were big fans. Or maybe they just knew how obsessed we all are with the films. Nevertheless, we get hilarious nods to “Beauty and the Beast”, “Aladdin”, “The Little Mermaid”, and “The Lion King,” just to name a few. Boyle seems to be the biggest fan of them all, while Jake goes from misnaming major characters, to full-on acting out a scene from “The Lion King”. And we’re certainly not complaining. After all, who doesn’t love a bit of Disney?

#9: The Many Burns of Madeline Wuntch
Various

Granted, many of Captain Holt’s references feel obscure. But that’s not the case when he’s insulting his arch-enemy Madeline Wuntch. Whether he’s comparing her to the Wicked Witches of the East and West or the possessed girl from “The Exorcist”, he makes sure we all get the dig. Even Jake joins in on the fun with a Cruella de Vil themed comment. Holt’s burns also include clever nods to mythology and history. It’s quite out of character for him to stoop to such levels, but he simply can’t resist when Wuntch is around. If you’re ever looking for a takedown that even Jake Peralta can understand, Raymond Holt’s got you covered.

#8: “Game of Thrones”
Various

There are so many references to this fantasy series on the show that we would need a whole list just to get through them all. On one occasion, Gina compares one of her exes to Tywin Lannister. In another instance, Peralta tells Boyle that the Red Wedding would still be worse than the nuptials he was planning. Speaking of the infamous event, you can also see it among the list of forbidden topics established during Jake and Charles’ stakeout. There are countless other mentions, including a theory-filled text-chain between Hitchock, Scully, and Gina. There’s also the fictional series “The Skyfire Cycle”, which is strikingly similar to George R. R. Martin’s novels - just don’t say that to Terry.

#7: “Cagney & Lacey”
Various

When the series began, Terry had recently become a father to twin girls named Cagney and Lacey. And their monikers are no coincidence. If you’re familiar with cop dramas from the eighties, then you’ll remember the identically-titled series, which focused on two badass female police officers in New York. Evidently, Terry’s girls’ names pay homage to the show. But they also demonstrate his pride in what he does. “Cagney & Lacey” was inspired by the feminist movement, so perhaps Terry and Sharon hoped that their daughters would inherit the positive traits of their namesakes. Or maybe he secretly hoped that they would follow in his career footsteps and become an unstoppable crime-fighting duo!

#6: Raymond Holt’s Discoing Nemesis
“Pilot” & “He Said, She Said”

In 1981, Captain Holt cemented himself as a force to be reckoned with when he arrested an elusive criminal known as “The Disco Strangler”. You’ll recognize the name if you’re a fan of the Eagles, as it’s taken straight out of their 1979 album “The Long Run”. The song even describes a sinister predator-like character. It’s not the only rock tune referenced in the show either. In “Your Honor”, there are two cars with license plates that pay homage to one-hit-wonder, Tommy Tutone’s track “867-5309/Jenny”. We guess we know what kind of music was playing in the writers’ room!

#5: The “Harry Potter” Franchise
Various

In season one’s “Halloween”, Boyle’s costume prompts a hilarious HP reference. However, in later episodes, the series becomes a symbol of Jake’s love for Amy as well. Knowing how much she adores the books, he starts reading them - only to get hooked himself. In fact, Peralta grows a little too obsessed with Harry and the gang. From hoping that his target’s girlfriend has a lightning bolt scar, to coming up with wizard-themed innuendo for intimacy, he definitely becomes a Potterhead. In season five’s “Safe House”, Jake actually uses Professor McGonagall as a code name for Charles. Hogwarts is a fascinating place, so who can blame him?

#4: Taylor Swift
Various

During a lie detector test in season one, we discover that Jake is a huge Swiftie. He initially tries to pretend otherwise, but it’s no use. And his love for her music continues to reveal itself over the course of the series. In fact, one exchange between Jake and Terry in season three involves Jake referencing “Shake It Off”. Fans might have hoped that the singer would make an appearance on the show, given the fact that she and Samberg have worked together before. However, as Amy’s dad reveals, Jake can’t legally be within 500 feet of the star.

#3: The Lonely Island
Various

Prior to becoming Jake Peralta on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”, Andy Samberg was one-third of a musical comedy group called The Lonely Island. They became famous on “Saturday Night Live”, and actually went viral on more than one occasion. Naturally, Samberg’s rise to fame is subtly acknowledged on the show with references to some of the trio’s most successful digital shorts. Namely, Jake makes a T-Pain reference as a nod to “I’m On a Boat”, and a play on words slyly hints at “Motherlover.” These details are so clever that if you spotted them, you might just be the most “Amazing Human/Genius”.

#2: A Musical Cold Open
“DFW”

Using a classic “Backstreet Boys” tune, the writers gave us one of the finest moments of the entire series. Since the victim only heard the perp sing, Jake has no choice but to engage in a mini karaoke session to identify the culprit. Of course, he gets carried away and forgets the purpose of the task. Honestly, so did the rest of us. It’s only when the victim snaps everyone back into reality that we remember how and why this all began. But we can’t be the only ones who sing whenever we hear this catchy track!


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“The Fast and the Furious”, Various
It’s Just One of the Movie Franchises That Fulfill Jake’s Cop Fantasies


“Zack Snyder’s Justice League”, “Blue Flu”
It Sounds Like Holt & Snyder Need to Have a Chat

A Famous Boyle, “Return of the King”
Could Charles Be Talking About “Britain’s Got Talent” Star, Susan Boyle?

Blockbuster, Various
For Those of Us Who Remember Rewinding Those VHS Tapes

“Friends”, “Chocolate Milk”
Which Character From the Sitcom Do You Think Jake Is Most Like?

#1: “Die Hard”
Various

As any die-hard “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” fan knows, Jake basically became a police officer because of the 1988 action flick. It’s his absolute favorite cop movie of all time, and he never passes up an opportunity to bring it up. We see him live out some of his “Die Hard” fantasies, including a hostage situation in a department store at Christmas time and a visit to Nakatomi Plaza. Amy even dresses as Holly Gennero on their honeymoon. If you’re anything like Jake, you might have spotted more subtle nods too, like how he channels John McClane by wearing his badge around his neck. The only thing missing from the show was a Bruce Willis cameo!