The 10 best Eddie Murphy movies

10. Kinti in the sky (Tower Heist, 2011)

Premiere: November 4, 2011 (USA)
Genre: Action, comedy, crime
Director: Brett Ratner
Main actors: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck, Matthew Broderick, Alan Alda, Téa Leoni

When the manager of a luxury apartment building in New York City learns that the wealthy financier who has entrusted the employees with their savings has defrauded them, the lives of the entire staff are turned upside down. With no way to legally recover the lost money, the workers decide to organize a daring robbery from the fraudster's apartment. To do this, they recruit an experienced thief to help them overcome the security guards and complex security systems. The plan seems almost impossible, and the lack of experience of the newly minted robbers turns the operation into a series of comical and dangerous situations.

9. Bowfinger (Bowfinger, 1999)

Premiere: August 13, 1999 (USA)
Genre: Comedy
Director: Frank Oz
Main actors: Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Heather Graham, Christine Baranski, Terrence Stamp

Bobby Bowfinger is an ambitious but unsuccessful Hollywood producer who dreams of finally making a movie that will make him famous. When he receives a script, he decides that his project needs a big star, and he turns to popular actor Kit Ramsey. There's just one problem - the star flatly refuses to participate, so Bowfinger devises a way to film around her without her suspecting he's part of the production. Meanwhile, his crew must cover up the deception, and each day on set brings new absurd obstacles.

8. Dreamers (Dreamgirls, 2006)

Premiere: December 15, 2006 (USA, limited release)
Genre: Drama, musical
Director: Bill Condon
Main actors: Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé, Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson, Annika Noni Rose, Danny Glover

The film follows the journey of three young singers who dream of breaking into the music industry and becoming stars. Their talent attracts the attention of an ambitious manager who helps them get a chance on the big stage, but their success gradually changes the relationships within the group. As their fame grows, personal ambitions, jealousy and a desire for control begin to threaten the friendship between the performers. Eddie Murphy plays James "Thunder" Earley - a charismatic singer whose career and personal life are marked by both stage brilliance and difficult decisions.

7. To life (Life, 1999)

Premiere: April 16, 1999 (USA)
Genre: Comedy, crime, drama
Director: Ted Demmy
Main actors: Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, Aubrey Morris, Nick Cassavetes

The story begins in the 1930s, when Ray Gibson and Claude Banks meet by chance and find themselves involved in a crime they did not commit. Sentenced to life in prison, the two must adapt to the harsh life behind bars and the ever-changing relationships between prisoners. Over the years, their friendship becomes their main support, while the hope of freedom gradually fades. The film combines humor and drama, following decades of the lives of two men whose destinies are linked by injustice.

6. 48 hours (48 Hours, 1982)

Premiere: December 8, 1982 (USA)
Genre: Action, comedy, crime
Director: Walter Hill
Main actors: Nick Nolte, Eddie Murphy, Annette O'Toole, James Remar, David Patrick Kelly

Police detective Jack Cates is on the hunt for dangerous criminals after they escape and leave a trail of violence behind them. To track them down, he enlists the temporary help of Reggie Hammond, a former prisoner with criminal knowledge who can help with the investigation. The two have just 48 hours to overcome their mutual distrust and track down the fugitives. Their personalities clash, but the combination of police action and Reggie's witty remarks becomes the driving force of the story.

5. Arrival in America (Coming to America, 1988)

Premiere: June 29, 1988 (USA)
Genre: Comedy, romantic
Director: John Landis
Main actors: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, John Amos, Shari Headley, Madge Sinclair

Prince Akim of the fictional African nation of Zamunda was raised in wealth but is reluctant to enter into an arranged marriage with a woman he doesn't truly know. Determined to find love on his own, he heads to New York City with his loyal friend and assistant, Sammy. The two settle in a modest neighborhood, and Akim takes a job at a fast-food restaurant to explore life outside the comforts of the palace. There he meets Lisa, for whom he has genuine feelings, but his hidden identity and the expectations of his family threaten to complicate their relationship.

4. Dolemite is my name (Dolemite Is My Name, 2019)

Premiere: September 7, 2019 (world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival)
Genre: Biographical, comedy, drama
Director: Craig Brewer
Main actors: Eddie Murphy, Wesley Snipes, Mike Epps, Keegan-Michael Key, Craig Robinson, Da'Vine Joy Randolph

The film tells the story of Rudy Ray Moore, an artist who refuses to accept his failures and seeks his own path to fame. After creating the stage persona of Dolemite, he begins to attract audiences with his bold humor and unusual stage presence. Driven by the desire to bring his character to the big screen, Moore sets out to make a film with limited funds and a team of people willing to believe in his idea. Behind the comic situations lies a story of perseverance, independent creativity and the desire to prove that you belong in cinema, even when the industry does not open its doors to you.

3. Beverly Hills Cop (Beverly Hills Cop, 1984)

Premiere: December 5, 1984 (USA)
Genre: Action, comedy, crime
Director: Martin Brest
Main actors: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Ronnie Cox, Lisa Eilbacher

Detroit police officer Axel Foley arrives in Beverly Hills to investigate the murder of his close friend. The investigation leads him to powerful people and shady business dealings that local authorities are slow to investigate. Foley's insubordination and unconventional methods put him at odds with two officers assigned to monitor him, but the three gradually begin to work together. As he tries to uncover the truth, Axel uses wit, bravado, and a sense of humor to overcome obstacles.

2. Mr. Church (Mr. Church, 2016)

Premiere: April 22, 2016 (Tribeca Film Festival, USA); September 16, 2016 (limited theatrical release in the USA)
Genre: Drama
Director: Bruce Beresford
Main actors: Eddie Murphy, Britt Robertson, Natasha McElhone, Xavier Samuel, Lucy Fry

When little Charlotte's mother falls seriously ill, Henry Church, a talented cook, enters the family's life and takes over the household. At first, his relationship with the girl is tense, as she finds it difficult to accept the presence of a stranger in her personal world. Over time, however, a strong bond is built between them, which continues through different stages of her life. Church becomes a reliable support for Charlotte and helps her find meaning, resilience and love even in the most difficult moments.

1. Changing places (Trading Places, 1983)

Premiere: June 8, 1983 (USA)
Genre: Comedy
Director: John Landis
Main actors: Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ralph Bellamy, Don Amici, Denholm Elliott

Two wealthy brothers decide to conduct a cruel experiment to test whether a person's success depends more on their background or the circumstances they find themselves in. They arrange an exchange of fates between Louis Winthorpe - a privileged financier - and Billy Ray Valentine, a street hustler who suddenly gets a chance to enter high society. While one loses his job, reputation and comfortable life, the other learns to move among the people who have previously ignored him. When the two realize that they have been used for the entertainment of the rich, they join forces to turn the tables on the brothers and get revenge on them in the most unexpected way.