The Nutty Professor (1996)

Kernel Score: 49% · 3,187 ratings · Rated PG-13

Genres: Comedy, Science Fiction, Romance

Released: 1996-06-28

Runtime: 95 minutes

Is The Nutty Professor worth watching?

Depends on your taste. Eddie Murphy plays multiple roles in a loud, silly comedy with a sweet message under the fat jokes. The family dinner scenes are its best part, but the humour is dated and often crude.

Watch it if you

  • love Eddie Murphy's character work
  • want broad, silly 1990s comedy

Skip it if you

  • dislike fat jokes and crude humour
  • want a polished, subtle comedy

Best for: Casual night in

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch The Nutty Professor

  • Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

US availability, updated 2026-10-27.

Overview

When beautiful Carla Purty joins the university faculty, genetic professor Dr. Sherman Klump grows desperate to whittle his 400-pound frame down to size and win her heart. So, with one swig of his experimental fat-reducing serum, Sherman becomes 'Buddy Love', a fast-talking, pumped-up, plumped down Don Juan.

Movies like The Nutty Professor

If you liked The Nutty Professor, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • The Mask (1994) — 77%: Another 90s comedy built on a star's rubber-faced performance
  • Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) — 80%: The classic split-personality story this one riffs on
  • Weird Science (1985) — 72%: Goofy science-gone-wrong comedy from the 80s
  • Palm Springs (2020) — 83%: Funny, inventive comedy with a sweet core
  • Patch Adams (1998) — 84%: Warm, comic crowd-pleaser with a big-hearted lead
  • Poor Things (2023) — 85%: Wildly inventive reworking of a classic mad-science story

Director

Tom Shadyac

Cast

  • Eddie Murphy as Sherman Klump / Buddy Love / Lance Perkins / Papa Klump / Mama Klump / Grandma Klump / Ernie Klump
  • Jada Pinkett Smith as Carla Purty
  • James Coburn as Harlan Hartley
  • Larry Miller as Dean Richmond
  • Dave Chappelle as Reggie Warrington
  • John Ales as Jason
  • Patricia Wilson as Dean's Secretary
  • Jamal Mixon as Ernie Klump, Jr.
  • Nichole McAuley as Fit Woman
  • Hamilton von Watts as Health Instructor

The Nutty Professor FAQ

Is The Nutty Professor worth watching?

Depends on your taste. Eddie Murphy plays multiple roles in a loud, silly comedy with a sweet message under the fat jokes. The family dinner scenes are its best part, but the humour is dated and often crude.

Where can I watch The Nutty Professor?

In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

What is The Nutty Professor rated?

The Nutty Professor is rated PG-13.

What movies are like The Nutty Professor?

If you liked The Nutty Professor, try The Mask, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Weird Science and Palm Springs.