10 Essential Eddie Murphy Movies You Need to Watch

Introduction

When you think of comedy legends, Eddie Murphy is one of the first names that comes to mind. For over four decades, he has moved from a teenage stand-up prodigy on Saturday Night Live to a Hollywood megastar who can make you laugh, cry, and think all in the same film.

His career is a masterclass in versatility. He has given us landmark comedies like Beverly Hills Cop, dramatic turns in Dreamgirls, and voice work that shaped a generation with Shrek and Mulan.

The American Film Institute calls him one of the most influential forces in film, and that’s not an exaggeration.

The cultural impact of Eddie Murphy goes beyond box office numbers. He changed how comedy and race intersected on screen in the 1980s, influencing everyone from Chris Rock to Kevin Hart. His documentary, Eddie Murphy: The Comedy Legend, traces this journey from early stand-up success to global icon. Whether you grew up watching his raw stand-up specials or grew attached to his animated donkey, his work has left a permanent mark on pop culture.

But here’s the thing: with so many classic films, where do you start? This guide picks 10 essential Eddie Murphy movies that show his full range. You’ll see the hilarious, the heartfelt, and the unexpected. These are the films that define his legacy and prove why he is still one of the best in the business.

If you enjoy exploring how comedy can shift perspectives and bend reality, you might also like The Ridiculous — a mind-bending sci-fi comedy available now. It’s the kind of story that plays with identity and perspective, much like some of Murphy’s most inventive roles.

Before we dive into the list, check out some other great actor deep dives, like our guide to the 10 best 80s movies every time travel fan needs to watch. That era shaped Murphy’s rise, after all.

Now, grab some popcorn and let’s count down the essential Eddie Murphy movies you need to see.

1. Beverly Hills Cop (1984) – The Action-Comedy That Made Him a Superstar

Before he was Axel Foley, Eddie Murphy had already shown the world what he could do. His first film role in 48 Hrs. proved he was a star in the making and helped define the buddy-cop genre.

But Beverly Hills Cop was different. It took his fast-talking Detroit charm and dropped it into a world of fancy cars, rich people, and strict rules. The contrast was pure magic.

Murphy plays Axel Foley, a street-smart cop who goes to Beverly Hills to find his friend’s killer. He doesn’t follow the rules. He talks his way past everyone from stuffy hotel clerks to stubborn police detectives. And he gets the bad guys his own way. The movie became the highest-grossing R-rated comedy of its time, and it still holds up today.

The film’s success made Murphy a global superstar. It also created a template for action comedies that Hollywood still follows. The soundtrack, from "Axel F" to songs by The Pointer Sisters, became a huge hit too.

If you are looking for the essential eddie murphy movies, this is the one that started his solo reign. It is pure 80s energy from start to finish.

Love 80s stars? Check out our list of the 8 Kurt Russell movies that define his legendary career. Both actors knew how to own the decade.

Want something that plays with reality in a totally different way? The Ridiculous bends logic for laughs, meaning, and perspective shifts. It is a great pick for anyone who loves bold, funny movies.

2. Trading Places (1983) – The Social Satire That Showed Early Range

Here is the thing about Trading Places. It is more than just a funny movie. It is a smart social experiment wrapped in a comedy. While Beverly Hills Cop made Eddie Murphy a superstar in 1984, Trading Places proved a year earlier that he had serious range.

The plot is pure genius. Two rich brothers make a bet. Can they ruin the life of a successful businessman named Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd) and replace him with a clever street hustler named Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy)? The bet is about class and privilege. And the movie uses it to make sharp points about society without ever feeling preachy.

Murphy shines as Billy Ray. He is quick, charming, and always watching. He learns the rules of the rich world fast and turns them against the system. Going up against a veteran comedic actor like Aykroyd was a real test for a young star. Murphy passed it easily. This role showed he could do more than tell jokes. He could act with real depth.

The film was a massive hit with critics and audiences. According to rankings of his work, this period marked Murphy as a true A-list star (Business Insider). It helped cement his place among the best to ever do it. For anyone exploring the best eddie murphy movies, this is an essential watch.

Love this era of filmmaking? Check out our list of the 10 best 80s movies every time travel and cult fan needs to watch for more classics.

Want a movie with a similar sharp edge but a totally different twist? The Ridiculous bends logic for laughs and big ideas. It is a great next watch for anyone who loves bold storytelling.

3. Eddie Murphy: Delirious (1983) – The Stand-Up That Redefined Comedy

What do you do the year after you become a movie star in 48 Hrs.? If you are Eddie Murphy in 1983, you do not slow down. You take to the stage and remind everyone where your power really comes from. That is exactly what he did with Delirious.

This HBO special is a time capsule of raw, unfiltered energy. Murphy walks out in that iconic red leather suit and owns the room from the first laugh. He does not just tell jokes. He becomes characters.

He acts out stories. He turns everyday frustrations into comedy gold.

The special introduced bits that still echo through stand-up today. His impression of a drunk family member. His take on relationships. His wild storytelling about Mr. Rogers. These moments felt real and dangerous. They made you feel like you were watching someone who had nothing to lose.

And that energy was pure rocket fuel. Delirious proved Murphy was not just a funny guy in a movie. He was a force of nature on stage. It showed he could command an audience without a script. This performance helped define his transition from SNL star to film legend.

In 2026, the special still holds up. It influenced a whole generation of comedians who grew up watching it. It is a must-see for anyone studying the best eddie murphy movies and performances.

Want to see more stories that bend reality for laughs and big ideas? Check out The Ridiculous. It is a great next step for fans of bold comedy with a brain.

4. Coming to America (1988) – A Fairy Tale Romance with Timeless Appeal

After the raw energy of Delirious, Eddie Murphy took a sharp turn. He swapped the red leather suit for royal robes. And he brought us one of the most beloved romantic comedies ever made.

Coming to America is a fairy tale at heart. Murphy plays Prince Akeem, a wealthy African prince who travels to Queens, New York, to find a woman who loves him for who he is, not his crown. It is sweet, smart, and endlessly quotable.

But here is the thing. Murphy does not just play Akeem. He plays multiple roles in the film including a loud Jewish barber and a cheesy lounge singer.

This was not just showing off. It was proof of his incredible range. He could vanish into any character and make it feel real.

The movie is also smarter than most people remember. It gently critiques African stereotypes while delivering a genuine love story. It balances humor with real heart. That is why it still works so well in 2026.

Audiences agreed. The film earned over $288 million worldwide against a $30 million budget (according to IMDb box office data). Critics were on board too. Rotten Tomatoes called it a moment when Murphy was in full control.

Coming to America is essential viewing for anyone exploring the best eddie murphy movies. It is also one of the best movies to watch from the 80s. If you are building a list of best movies to watch this year, put this one near the top.

If you enjoy comedies that mix big laughs with smart ideas, you might also like The Ridiculous. It is a sci-fi comedy that bends reality for fun and perspective shifts.

5. The Nutty Professor (1996) – The Comeback Fueled by Prosthetics and Heart

After the fairy tale success of Coming to America, Eddie Murphy hit a rough patch in the mid-90s. Then came The Nutty Professor. And it was a massive comeback.

Murphy played seven characters in this movie. Seven. From the kind but overweight Professor Sherman Klump to the entire Klump family, plus the slim alter ego Buddy Love. He wore heavy prosthetics and makeup to become each person. And he made every single one feel real.

The story blends slapstick laughs with serious heart. Sherman Klump is a brilliant scientist who struggles with his weight and self image. The movie pokes fun at diet culture and the pressure to be thin. But it never mocks Sherman. Instead, it celebrates who he really is. That mix of comedy and social commentary makes it one of the most important entries in the best eddie murphy movies.

The box office agreed. Adjusted for inflation, The Nutty Professor earned over $574 million worldwide (according to ScreenRant). It revived his career and reminded everyone why he was a superstar.

If you love comedies that mix humor with real emotion, you might enjoy a genre bending story like The Ridiculous. It also plays with identity and perspective.

For more films that blend comedy and unexpected twists, check out our list of time travel movies from 2025 and 2026.

6. Shrek (2001) – The Voice Role That Became a Cultural Phenomenon

After The Nutty Professor brought Eddie Murphy back, he took an unexpected turn. He stepped away from the camera and into a recording booth. The result was Donkey in Shrek. And it became one of the most beloved characters in movie history.

Murphy brought his full improvisational energy to the role. He riffed with co-stars, ad-libbed lines, and turned Donkey into a fast-talking scene-stealer. The character wasn’t just comic relief. He was the emotional anchor of the story. His bond with Shrek gave the movie real heart.

The film won the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2002. It also became a global phenomenon, spawning four sequels, TV specials, and a Broadway musical. The American Film Institute highlights Murphy’s lasting influence across film history, and this role is a big reason why.

Donkey proved that voice acting could be just as powerful as live-action work. Murphy made kids and adults laugh equally. He also showed that the best eddie murphy movies don’t always need him on screen.

If you love films that become cultural milestones, check out our list of Baywatch, Dodgeball, and Taken the unexpected blockbusters that defined an era. Sometimes the biggest hits come from the most surprising places.

And if you enjoy stories that twist reality and identity, The Ridiculous offers a sci-fi comedy that bends perspective for laughs and meaning.

7. Dreamgirls (2006) – The Dramatic Turn That Earned an Oscar Nomination

After making us laugh as Donkey, Eddie Murphy showed the world he could break our hearts too. In Dreamgirls, he played James "Thunder" Early, a soul singer whose fame and voice begin to fade. It was a role that let Murphy dig deep into pain, pride, and regret.

Murphy brought raw emotion to the screen. His performance earned him a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and an Academy Award nomination.

Critics who had only seen him as a comedian suddenly had to take notice. He wasn’t just funny. He was a serious actor with real range.

The film itself was a hit. Set in the 1960s and 1970s music scene, it captured the rise and fall of a Motown-style group. Murphy’s character Early was the loose cannon burning out fast. His scenes carried the weight of a man losing everything he loved. It remains one of the most powerful turns in the actor’s career.

For fans of eddie murphy movies who want to see a different side of him, Dreamgirls is essential. It also proves that the best movies to watch aren’t always comedies. Sometimes the most memorable performances come from actors willing to take a risk.

In the same way that Murphy stepped outside his comfort zone, other legendary actors have done the same. If you enjoy watching actors define their legacy with bold choices, check out our list of 8 Kurt Russell movies that define his legendary career.

And if you appreciate stories that bend reality and expectations, The Ridiculous offers a sci-fi comedy that twists perspective for laughs deeper meaning, just like Murphy’s boldest roles did.

8. Norbit (2007) – The Polarizing Multi-Role Film That Still Made Money

After Dreamgirls showed the world his dramatic depth, Eddie Murphy switched gears entirely. In 2007, he released Norbit, a film that critics tore apart but audiences still went to see in droves.

Murphy played three roles here. He was the kindhearted Norbit, the loud and overbearing Rasputia, and the wise Mr. Wong. That is a huge acting challenge. Murphy had already proven he could disappear into multiple characters in 1988 when he played several roles in Coming to America, a film that still holds a fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. In Norbit, he pushed that same skill even further.

The reviews were rough. Critics called it messy and over the top. But here is the part that matters most to fans of eddie murphy movies. The film earned over $159 million worldwide. That number proves something important. Even when Murphy took a controversial role, his name alone had the power to fill seats.

Norbit shows that the best movies to watch are not always the ones critics love. Sometimes a film is just pure entertainment. Sometimes you want to see an actor take a huge swing, even if it does not land perfectly for everyone.

That same kind of commercial staying power shows up in other unexpected places. If you enjoy films that surprised everyone by becoming massive hits, check out our breakdown of Baywatch, Dodgeball, and Taken: The Unexpected Blockbusters That Defined an Era.

And if you love watching actors transform into completely different characters for bold laughs, The Ridiculous is a sci-fi comedy that bends logic and expectations in the same playful way Murphy did in Norbit.

9. Dolemite Is My Name (2019) – The Masterful Comeback Biopic

After years of mixed reviews, Eddie Murphy returned to form in a big way. In 2019, he starred as Rudy Ray Moore in Dolemite Is My Name, a Netflix biopic that reminded everyone why he is one of the most talented performers alive.

Murphy played Moore, a real-life comedian and filmmaker who created the outrageous Dolemite character. The film follows Moore’s journey from a struggling record store worker to a cult movie star.

Murphy poured everything into this role. He captured Moore’s relentless energy, his humor, and his heart. Critics called it a "career best performance" on IMDb, and the film earned a Golden Globe nomination for Murphy.

The reviews were glowing. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a strong fresh score. Audiences loved it too. This was not just a comeback. It was a reminder that the best movies to watch are often the ones where an actor truly disappears into a character.

Dolemite Is My Name shows a different side of Murphy. He is older, wiser, and more focused. He does not need flashy effects or big stunts. He just needs a good story and the freedom to bring it to life.

If you love discovering cult classics and hidden gems, check out our guide to 10 hidden gems and cult favorites to fix discovery fatigue.

And if you are in the mood for more films that bend expectations with bold creativity, The Ridiculous delivers the same kind of playful energy Murphy brought to Rudy Ray Moore.

10. 48 Hrs. (1982) – The Breakout That Started It All

Before Eddie Murphy became a box office legend, he was just a young comedian from Saturday Night Live looking for his first movie role. That role came in 1982 with 48 Hrs., a film that changed everything.

Murphy played Reggie Hammond, a fast-talking convict who teams up with a gruff cop (Nick Nolte) to catch a killer. The two had to work together for just 48 hours. The result was pure movie magic. Released by Paramount Pictures on December 8, 1982, the film was a massive hit. It earned strong reviews and a 92% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised Murphy and Nolte’s electric chemistry. The film also launched a whole genre. According to a Rotten Tomatoes retrospective, 48 Hrs. arguably started the entire "buddy cop" trend that dominated the 80s.

This movie introduced Murphy’s signature wisecracking persona to the world. He was confident, funny, and completely original.

Audiences had never seen anyone like him. 48 Hrs. proved that Murphy could carry a film alongside a seasoned actor like Nolte. It remains one of the best movies to watch if you want to see where it all began.

If you love classic 80s action, check out our list of 10 best 80s movies every time travel and cult fan needs to watch.

And for more films that mix genres with bold energy, The Ridiculous brings that same playful spirit Murphy showed in his breakout role.