Make no mistake,Eddie Murphyis a legend in several fields.
And who can forget the sheer musical power of “Boogie in Your Butt?”
But it’s in film where Murphy plied most of his trade.
Bruce McBroom/Columbia
The results left the comedian on the outside of a changing cinematic landscape.
The worst
8.
Daddy Day Care (2003)
Look, there’s nothing wrong with making family-friendly films.
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Many actors are more than happy to make movies that their kids can see.
And, for the most part, family films are profitable at the box office.
Somehow, this tepid film spawned a three-movie franchise (minus Murphy).
Darren Michaels, SMPSP/Cinelou Films
That disconnect is on full display in this woeful action-comedy.
But after a poor screening, some studio exec had the brilliant thought of adding Murphy.
Needless to say, the film is a rambling mess.
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Audiences weren’t fooled, and they stayed away in droves.
Well,A Thousand Wordsis Exhibit A.
This Murphy comedy was shot in 2008 but kept getting shuffled on the release schedule.
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And the movie was just one of many 2002 letdowns for Murphy, asI SpyandShowtimealso disappointed.
Norbit (2007)
When anyone thinks about terrible Eddie Murphy movies,Norbitjustifiably comes to mind.
The best
13.
Bruce McBroom/Paramount
Murphy does excellent work here alongside a game Lawrence and an equally-supportive cast.
Very few Murphy movies tug at the heartstrings, but this one does that quite effectively.
Where to watchLife: Tubi
12.
Bruce McBroom/Warner Bros.
That’s pretty much the hook ofDr.
Dolittle, a Murphy flick based on the children’s book series.
Dolittle: Disney+
11.
Bruce McBroom/Paramount
Where to watchMulan: Disney+
10.
Where to watchBoomerang: Pluto TV
9.
The film would prove to be a blockbuster and pop (meme?)
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“If they ever came with anotherShrek, I’d do it in two seconds,” he said.
Where to watchShrek: Peacock
8.
Where to rentDreamgirls: Amazon Prime Video
7.
20th Century Fox/Everett
Where to watchThe Nutty Professor: Peacock
6.
Where to watchBowfinger: Peacock
5.
Where to watchDolemite Is My Name: Netflix
4.
Walt Disney Pictures/Everett
Where to rentTrading Places: Amazon Prime Video
3.
- Where to watch48 Hrs.
Paramount+
2.
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And to think, the producers wantedSylvester Stallonefor the part!
It’s hard to imagineanyonebut Murphy as Axel Foley, he just does it that well.
To say this fish-out-of-water action film was a blockbuster is an understatement.
DreamWorks/Everett
For nearly 20 years, it was the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever made.
Murphy’s star power is at full wattage here, making even the simplest scenes crackle with pure energy.
Where to watchBeverly Hills Cop: Paramount+
1.
David James/Paramount
It’s Murphy’s crowning character achievement, and one that still earns major laughs to this day.
Where to rentComing to America: Amazon Prime Video
Related content:
Jada Pinkett Smith and Eddie Murphy in ‘The Nutty Professor’ (1996).Everett Collection
Everett Collection
François Duhamel/Netflix
Everett Collection
Everett Collection
Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, and Eddie Murphy in ‘Beverly Hills Cop II’.Everett Collection
Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall in ‘Coming to America’.Everett Collection
