Coming to America (1988)
74%RT Audience Score: 64%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 2 Oscars
5 wins & 5 nominations total
Eddie Murphy was in full control at this point, starkly evident in Coming to America’s John Landis’ coasting direction
Coming to America” is a hilarious classic that never gets old. Eddie Murphy’s comedic genius shines through, even if some critics think it’s a bit too over-the-top. The supporting cast is also fantastic, with James Earl Jones and Eriq LaSalle stealing the show. Sure, it may not be the most subtle comedy out there, but who needs subtlety when you’re laughing your butt off? If you haven’t seen this movie yet, do yourself a favor and watch it ASAP. You won’t regret it!
Production Company(ies)
Guangxi Film Studio, Beijing New Picture Film
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Queens Boulevard, Elmhurst, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
MPAA / Certificate
R
Year of Release
1988
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Stereo Dolby Atmos Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 56m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 29, 1988 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 5, 2007
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, John Amos, James Earl Jones, Shari Headley, Madge Sinclair, directed by John Landis, written by David Sheffield, Barry W Blaustein, produced by George Folsey Jr., Robert D Wachs, comedy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Derek Malcolm, David Robinson, Duane Byrge, Kathleen Carroll, Richard Schickel, Bill Chambers, Sean Collier, Shawn Edwards, Samuel Leggett Jr., Justin Brown, MPAA rating R, African prince, arranged marriage, America, foreign student, fast food, romance, identity, king father, queen, marriage intentions, fish out of water, multiple costumed characters, hard R parts, Samuel L Jackson cameo
Worldwide gross: $288,752,301
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $739,333,318
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 166
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 80,625,226
US/Canada gross: $128,152,301
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $328,126,445
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 164
US/Canada opening weekend: $21,404,420
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $54,804,761
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 202
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $30,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $76,813,239
Production budget ranking: 545
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $41,363,929
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $621,156,150
ROI to date (est.): 526%
ROI ranking: 243
Arsenio Hall – Semmi, Extremely Ugly Girl, Morris, Reverend Brown
John Amos – Cleo McDowell
James Earl Jones – King Jaffe Joffer
Shari Headley – Lisa McDowell
Madge Sinclair – Queen Aoleon
Director(s)
John Landis
Writer(s)
David Sheffield, Barry W. Blaustein
Producer(s)
George Folsey Jr., Robert D. Wachs
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 2 Oscars
5 wins & 5 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (55) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (40) | Rotten (15)
Subtlety is not Mr Murphy’s strong point, but on the, whole his spiky charm saves both him and the movie.
July 22, 2021
Derek Malcolm
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
John Landis directs the slim affair at a riskily leisured pace; but with some enjoyment from supporting characters such as James Earl Jones as the King and Eriq LaSalle as the Prince’s rival for spunky Shari Headley.
July 22, 2021
David Robinson
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
This comedy is generally tame and sappy… what we get is homogenized Eddie Murphy, drained of his kinetic comic charm and smiling sass.
January 29, 2019
Duane Byrge
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
Murphy has dealt audiences the movie equivalent of a royal flush and he is now clearly Hollywood’s reigning king of comedy.
July 7, 2015 | Rating: 3/4
Kathleen Carroll
New York Daily News
TOP CRITIC
The director is … rather distracted; John Landis seems to be browsing through the scenes rather than gobbling them down.
June 6, 2009
Richard Schickel
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Starts on a bathroom joke, quickly followed by a gag about private parts, then wanders in search of something equally original for Eddie Murphy to do for another couple of hours.
October 18, 2008
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Even Akeem’s gentle African lilt seems like Murphy trying to distance himself from his star persona, if not demonstrate his range.
March 3, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Bill Chambers
Film Freak Central
It is charmingly old-school in plenty of regards – while remaining quotable.
March 31, 2021 | Rating: 8/10
Sean Collier
Box Office Prophets
Eddie Murphy is a genius, the original is arguably the funniest movie ever made…not a bad movie, but more nostalgic than funny, a cinematic greatest hits package…surprisingly heart-felt, and the fans won’t mind the films flaws…
March 11, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
Shawn Edwards
Fox 4 Kansas City
At its release was unlike any other film before with such a broad all black cast. This film is funny, at times corny, but always sticks to the main character’s heart lead goal
March 7, 2021 | Rating: 8/10
Samuel Leggett Jr.
JVS Media & Productions/Team JVS
This is my favorite comedy of all time. This is one of the two blu-rays that I own.
March 4, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Justin Brown
Medium Popcorn
This is a classic! I enjoyed every second of it!
March 4, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Brandon Collins
Medium Popcorn…
Plot
Immersed in luxury and riches, courteous Prince Akeem, the refined heir apparent to Africa’s prosperous kingdom of Zamunda, summons up the courage to reject an arranged marriage proposal on his twenty-first birthday. As a result, bent on finding true love, the young blue blood finds himself in the strange urban jungle of New York City’s Queens. Now, to mask his regal descent, Akeem, and his trusted valet, Semmi, have to pose as humble exchange students, doing their best to mingle with their neighbours. But, more than anything in the world, the noble bachelor yearns to be loved for who he is, and not for his title. Is Prince Akeem destined to find his soulmate in America’s bustling Big Apple?
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny comments were found in the Fresh Kernels database for Coming to America.
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