Trading Places (1983)
Kernel Score: 80% · 3,590 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Comedy
Released: 1983-06-07
Runtime: 116 minutes
Is Trading Places worth watching?
Must-watch. A snobbish broker and a street hustler swap lives in a bet by two rich brothers. It is quick, smart and very funny, with Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd at their best. Still sharp about money and class.
Watch it if you
- love classic 80s comedies
- like sharp class satire
- enjoy Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd
Skip it if you
- dislike dated 80s humor
- object to older jokes that haven't aged well
Best for: Comedy night with friends
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Trading Places
- Stream: Philo, YouTube TV
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla, YouTube Free
- Rent: JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
A snobbish investor and a wily street con-artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires.
Trading Places parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Trading Places is an R-rated comedy about a class-swap bet involving prostitution, con schemes and crude humor.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Moderate — Includes a prostitute character and some sexual content typical of an R-rated 1980s comedy.
- Language: Moderate — Contains crude language consistent with its R rating.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Some — Party/drinking scenes appear including a New Year's Eve celebration.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Trading Places
If you liked Trading Places, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Blues Brothers (1980) — 85%: Aykroyd and Landis in another iconic comedy.
- A Fish Called Wanda (1988) — 81%: Sharp ensemble comedy with a crime backbone.
- The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) — 95%: Wall Street excess played as satire.
- Back to the Future (1985) — 95%: 80s crowd-pleaser with perfect comic timing.
- Wall Street (1987) — 80%: Serious look at the greed Trading Places jokes about.
- An American Werewolf in London (1981) — 83%: Landis's smart, funny, and scary classic.
Director
Cast
- Dan Aykroyd as Louis Winthorpe III
- Eddie Murphy as Billy Ray Valentine
- Ralph Bellamy as Randolph Duke
- Don Ameche as Mortimer Duke
- Denholm Elliott as Coleman
- Jamie Lee Curtis as Ophelia
- Paul Gleason as Clarence Beeks
- Frank Oz as Corrupt Cop
- Jim Belushi as Harvey
- Kristin Holby as Penelope Witherspoon
Trading Places FAQ
Is Trading Places worth watching?
Must-watch. A snobbish broker and a street hustler swap lives in a bet by two rich brothers. It is quick, smart and very funny, with Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd at their best. Still sharp about money and class.
Where can I watch Trading Places?
In the US you can stream Trading Places on Philo and YouTube TV, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla and YouTube Free and rent it from JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Is Trading Places OK for kids?
Trading Places is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Trading Places is an R-rated comedy about a class-swap bet involving prostitution, con schemes and crude humor.
What movies are like Trading Places?
If you liked Trading Places, try The Blues Brothers, A Fish Called Wanda, The Wolf of Wall Street and Back to the Future.