10 Best Eddie Murphy Movies (2024)
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Today, we’re excited to share with you the Best Eddie Murphy Movies of all time.
Whether you’re looking for something to make you giggle today, or just curious about his lifetime of acting, we have everything here for you here at BounceMojo.
It’s a no-brainer – Eddie Murphy is a great actor…
… with all his acting awards, nominations, and Lifetime Awards.
He’s best known for his blockbuster films Beverly Hills Cop, Trading Places, Dreamgirls, and many more!
So, what are we waiting for?
Camera’s roll…
Related:
1. Coming to America (1988)
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Directed by: John Landis
Produced by: George Folsey Jr. and Robert D. Wachs
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, John Amos, Madge Sinclair, and Shari Headley
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Release date: June 29, 1988
Running time: 117 minutes
In 1988, Eddie Murphy had no idea his career would change after the release of his film Coming to America.
The film earned more than a hundred million dollars, which led to Murphy’s booming career… and net worth.
The movie is also Murphy’s first romantic comedy, which made his audience giddy for more.
Also, even though the movie has been around for ages, it’s been labeled as one of the undisputed classics.
So, this movie truly deserves a spot on our list.
Here’s a short synopsis of the movie:
Coming to America is about Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his adventures in finding the woman he’ll love and respect.
He is the crown prince of the country Zamunda where he’s lived a comfortable life since he was born.
Murphy’s character decided to go to America to find his perfect wife – one who can not only stir up his loins but his intellect.
2. Beverly Hills Cop Series (1984, 1987, 1994)
Directed by: Martin Brest
Produced by: Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Kusa Eukvacger, Ronny Cox, and many more!
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Release date: December 05, 1984
Running time: 105 minutes
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Fun fact: The whole Beverly Hills Cop movie franchise earned a whopping $700 million in total worldwide, adding the title “box-office king” to Murphy’s credentials.
The Beverly Hills Cop success meant Murphy received a nomination for the Best Actor in the Comedy Category from the Golden Globe Awards.
In the 1984 movie…
… Murphy plays a Detroit cop who wants a lead in his close friend’s death in Beverly Hills. The franchise includes three films revolving around the life of Axel Foley.
Award-winning director Martin Brest directed the film. It also stars Judge Reinhold, Jonathan Banks, and Ronny Cox.
3. The Nutty Professor I & II (1996, 2000)
Directed by: Tom Shadyac
Produced by: Brian Grazer and Russell Simmons
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Jada Pinkett, James Coburn, Dave Chappelle, and many others.
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Release date: June 28, 1996
Running time: 95 minutes
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Star-studded is the word that best describes the casting of the movie The Nutty Professor in 1996. The movie stars Eddie Murphy, Jada Pinkett, James Coburn, Dave Chappelle, and more!
In The Nutty Professor, science-fiction and comedy come together.
In case you didn’t know, it is the 1990s version of a Jerry Lewis film from the 60s with the same title.
The movie is about Sherman Klump, a timid 400-pound research professor who drinks a potion which turns him into Buddy Love, a thin, evil version of himself.
Spoiler alert, Murphy isn’t only playing the role of Sherman here.
The award-winning comedy star also played the various characters of the Klump family.
In 2000, the movie released its sequel Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.
4. 48 HRS. (1982)
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Directed by: Walter Hill
Produced by: Lawrence Gordon and Joel Silver
Starring: Nick Nolte, Eddie Murphy, and Annette O’Toole
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Release date: December 02, 1982
Running time: 96 minutes
After becoming a part of Saturday Night Live, Murphy debuted his first film at the age of 21!
The movie portrayed Murphy as a funny ex-con who gets parole for 48 hours to help a policeman track down a murder suspect.
The film became a surprise success and gave birth to the filmography of Eddie Murphy.
Amazingly…
… Murphy also earned his first Golden Globe nomination for this movie. He acted alongside Nick Nolte who perfectly fits the role of the cop who will be Reggie Hammond’s (Murphy’s character) friend in the future.
5. Dreamgirls (2006)
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Directed by: Bill Condon
Produced by: Laurence Mark
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, and Keith Robinson.
Distributed by: DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures
Release date: December 15, 2006
Running time: 130minutes
After twenty-five years, the highly acclaimed Broadway musical finally made it to the big screen!
Fun fact: The musical began on Broadway during the same time Murphy started to appear on Saturday Night Live.
Also, Murphy was considered the potential actor to play the manager’s role — the man who discovers an all-girl singing group inspired by Diana Ross and the Supremes.
However, when they began filming, Jamie Foxx took that role while Murphy played the supporting character, James Thunder Early. His role is best described as – a successful yet self-destructive man.
What shook the audience the most was when Murphy displayed his natural musical talent in this film.
Truth is…
…Murphy had made some music in the past but wasn’t quite taken seriously with his hit single Party All the Time.
He also earned several awards for his role – the Golden Globe and SAG awards for Best Supporting Actor.
Unfortunately, he lost the Oscars to Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine.
6. Harlem Nights (1989)
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Directed by: Eddie Murphy
Produced by: Mark Lipsky and Robert D. Wachs
Starring: Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Release date: November 17, 1989
Running time: 116 minutes
In case you didn’t know, Harlem Nights is the film where the actor showcased his talents as a director.
In fact…
… the comedian also starred in this film together with Red Foxx, Della Reese, Arsenio Hall, and Richard Pryor.
The movie received a mix of criticism and praise from critics – making it one of the most talked-about films of the actor.
The movie is about a nightclub owner and his son’s clash with the police.
Overall, many called it a creatively funny film – it’s filled with great costumes and set design.
It may not be as funny and remarkable as his former hits – but it’s a job well done for Murphy.
7. Tower Heist (2011)
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Directed by: Brett Ratner
Produced by: Brian Grazer, Eddie Murphy, and Kim Roth
Starring: Himself, Ben Stiller, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick, Judd Hirsh, and many others.
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Release date: November 04, 2011
Running time: 104 minutes
It’s about a group of employees tricked by their boss who plot vengeance to loot his penthouse.
With a decent cast and fair plot, Tower Heist is an interesting film that’s widely received positively by its viewers.
It’s also a PG-13 rating, which makes it a perfect family comedy.
8. Boomerang (1992)
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Directed by: Reginald Hudlin
Produced by: Brian Grazer and Warrington Hudlin
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Halle Beery, Robin Givens, David Alam Grier, Martin Lawrence, Grace Jones, and many more!
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Release date: July 01, 1992
Running time: 117 minutes
Murphy had effectively progressed from TV to films in the mid-80s until 1993.
When the movie was released, he was at the peak of his career.
Boomerang, similar to Harlem Nights, is a more subtle movie compared to his usual films.
Both the film and Eddie Murphy’s roles are polished better.
Supported by an extraordinary cast…
… the movie also stars Martin Lawrence, David Alan Grier, Chris Rock, and Halle Berry.
Murphy sparkles (in a real sense) as a well-off man with duty issues, dating many women…
… until Robin Givens’ character arrives and gives him a painful but necessary lesson.
9. Shrek (2001)
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Directed by: Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson
Produced by: Aron Warner, John H. Williams, and Jeffrey Katzenberg
Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow.
Distributed by: Dreamworks Pictures
Release date: May 18, 2001
Running time: 90 minutes
The remarkable legacy of Shrek is unquestionable. It’s one of the most famous movies of all time. It also remains a crowd favorite quoted widely by pretty much every age group.
Shrek is likewise the most interesting movie Eddie Murphy has starred in since his dash of hits during the 1980s.
The film brought forth three-hit spin-offs – including a few TV specials – and was even showcased in amusement parks with its own rides.
Eddie Murphy is the voice of none other than “Donkey.”
… Shrek’s reliable companion who loves and supports him.
Murphy takes numerous scenes in the film and conveys countless exemplary lines.
It’s one of only a few movies in Murphy’s career showing a family-accommodating Eddie Murphy.
10. Trading Places (1983)
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Directed by: John Landis
Produced by: Aaron Russo
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche, Denholm Elliot, and Jamie Lee Curtis
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Release date: July 8, 1983
Running time: 116 minutes
An article on the best movies of Eddie Murphy isn’t complete without the film Trading Places.
Eddie Murphy’s character, Billy Ray Valentine (Capricorn), in Trading Places was the best role for him.
He played the role of a homeless man taken from the streets by well-off siblings. They took Valentine so they could play a round of social engineering. They transformed Valentine into a “successful banker,” destroying the career and life of a known banker played by Dan Aykroyd.
Eddie Murphy’s career was at its peak when he filmed this, and it shows in his acting.
He also earned a Golden Globe nomination for Trading Places – big thanks to his clever jokes from the beginning of the film until its end.
So, if you’re looking for a film loaded up with comedy masters like Dan Aykroyd and Don Ameche, then…
… Trading Places is the perfect film for you.
Conclusion: 10 Best Eddie Murphy Movies
There you have it – the best movies of Eddie Murphy.
Which is your favorite? Is it the comedy blockbuster Beverly Hills Cop or the animated masterpiece, Shrek?
Tweet us your most-watched Eddie Murphy movie.
My personal favorite is Coming to America.
I love how he played the character so smoothly and creatively.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this review as much as I did writing it.
One thing’s for sure…
… Eddie Murphy is truly one of the greatest comedy stars of all time!
So, that’s it for Eddie Murphy Movies. If you wanna watch these films or listen to his music, feel free to click on the links above.
If you want to know more about Eddie Murphy while you’re at it, check out his Bio and Net Worth by BounceMojo.com.
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