Coming to America

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Videos & Photos

  • Now on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

Movie Info & Cast

Director:

John Landis

Producer:

George Folsey Jr., Robert D. Wachs

Writer:

Eddie Murphy, David Sheffield, Barry W. Blaustein

Release Date:

Jun 29, 1988

Runtime:

1hr 57m

Synopsis

An extremely pampered African prince travels to Queens, New York and goes undercover to find a wife that he can respect for her intelligence and strong will.

Cast

  • Paul Bates
  • Eddie Murphy
  • Garcelle Beauvais
  • Feather
  • Stephanie Simon
  • Victoria Dillard
  • Felicia Taylor
  • Midori
  • James Earl Jones
  • Madge Sinclair

Letterboxd User Reviews

3.6
514.9K
57.8K
102.9K
RATINGS 1.8K FANS
3.6
  • Sep 13, 2021

    when i finally visit america i expect it to be exactly like this

    1.1K Likes
    adambolt
    adambolt
    Jan 11, 2021

    Such a deep bench of great supporting actors in this one, but none of them can hold a candle to Eddie Murphy in any of his roles. He’s just one of the purest movie stars ever here; the complete package of charisma and warmth and humor and that incredible smile. What I…

    884 Likes
    Matt Singer
    Matt Singer
    Nov 9, 2020

    “Freeze, you diseased rhinoceros pizzle!” Is still the best line in cinematic history. 

    598 Likes
    The Reel House
    The Reel House
  • Feb 7, 2016

    Scattered thoughts: * Look, Eriq La Salle, tigers don't live in Africa, okay? * Commentary on class, wealth, and status was surprisingly strong and sympathetic to the working class, but ultimately, it takes a fairytale ending to suggest wealth is the real form of…

    432 Likes
    Sally Jane Black
    Sally Jane Black
    Jul 14, 2020

    akeem and semmi are my last 2 braincells rattling around in my head

    381 Likes
    molly
    molly
    Sep 30, 2020

    This is literally one of the funniest films I have ever seen. Eddie Murphy is a gift.

    350 Likes
    Scarlett Worthington
    Scarlett Worthington
  •
    Mar 3, 2021

    “The royal penis is clean, your highness" What works best here is the execution, which allows the experience to feel so relatable and exciting despite a few jokes or lines of dialogue feeling remotely dated. The premise is cleverly perspicacious and refreshing as it…

    276 Likes
    Sam
    Sam
    Aug 11, 2025

    Title contains spoilers.

    274 Likes
    🌻Maryem Ilyas🌻
    🌻Maryem Ilyas🌻
    Feb 27, 2021

    To America comes Prince Akeem, Making sure everything royal is clean. He'll take out the trash, Then be forced to thrash, While looking for a queen in Queens.

    269 Likes
    JBird
    JBird

Queue Community Reviews

92%
Community 10,461
❤️ LOVE
15%
👍 LIKE
77%
😐 MEH
7%
👎 DISLIKE
1%
Top Reviews
  • autumn
    autumn loved
    Coming to America

    this movie is literally so good, it has me cackling and saying the lines and singing the songs with them everytime i watch it. and the sexual chocolate band & the mic drop always has my mom cackling 😭

    🔥 1 3Y
    emma
    emma liked
    Coming to America

    I feel like this is one of those late night comedies. super super good, I used to watch it with my family so its like a childhood movie for me. totally recommend!

    🔥 1 2Y
    KAYLIMANIZ
    KAYLIMANIZ loved
    Coming to America

    10/10 A classic I’ve seen too many times bc of my mom but I can’t deny it is one of my fav comedies. This is a must watch black movie.

    🔥 1 3Y
  • Kaitlyn Clay
    Kaitlyn Clay loved
    Coming to America

    Why don’t we have movies like this anymore!!? Hilarious!! Eddie Murphy in his prime 👏🏾👏🏾 8/10

    🔥 1 3Y
    Lauren
    Lauren liked
    Coming to America

    Pretty funny I loved Lisa and akeem! Semmi was also hilarious

    🔥 1 3Y
    Ahmad
    Ahmad loved
    Coming to America

    I wish I could live like him but the bride thing is true

    🔥 1 3Y
  • Ariana Johnson
    Ariana Johnson loved
    Coming to America

    Absolutely a CLASSIC. Eddie Murphy at his finest

    🔥 1 3Y
    Maddiekuske
    Maddiekuske liked
    Coming to America

    I feel like breakdancing 😂

    🔥 1 1Y
    Nicolas K
    Nicolas K is "meh" on
    Coming to America

    5/10

    🔥 1 2M

Atom Users Reviews

No one has posted a user review yet.

Metacritic

47
metacritic
Based on 16 Critics
7.8

USER SCORE (155)

Generally favorable reviews based on 155 Reviews
40

Coming to America is the filmic equivalent of using a Maserati to go to the corner grocery store — Murphy's colossal comic gifts and Landis' countercultural sensibilities are largely wasted, never pushed to the floor in this idling, curbed comedy.

Metacritic review by Duane Byrge
Duane Byrge
The Hollywood Reporter
100

Eddie Murphy does everything in this movie successfully. Coming To America remains his most personal work and a great argument that a movie can be decent and wholesome despite having enough profanity to make Bill Cosby lose sleep. A perfect argument for Eddie Murphy as decent guy even without the fame and fortune. Not that he's planning on giving it back though.

Metacritic review by Brad Laidman
Brad Laidman
Film Threat
70

Though Coming to America is a romantic comedy the director steers the film more often toward quick, in-and-out comic situations and gags that are only mildly funny. In part this is due to the fact that Mr. Murphy plays the prince with cheerful, low-keyed innocence that is completely legitimate, but is not supported by the short attention span of the screenplay. The romance is tepid.

Metacritic review by Vincent Canby
Vincent Canby
The New York Times

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Coming to America (1988)?
The movie is 1hr 57min long.
What's Coming to America (1988) about?
An extremely pampered African prince travels to Queens, New York and goes undercover to find a wife that he can respect for her intelligence and strong will.
Who's the cast of Coming to America (1988)?
  • Paul Bates as Oha
  • Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem, Clarence, Saul
  • Garcelle Beauvais as Rose Bearer
  • Feather as Rose Bearer
  • Stephanie Simon as Rose Bearer
  • Victoria Dillard as Bather, Dancer
  • Felicia Taylor as Bather
  • Midori as Bather
  • James Earl Jones as King Jaffe Joffer
  • Madge Sinclair as Queen Aoleon
Who's the director behind Coming to America (1988)?
John Landis directed Coming to America (1988).
Who produced Coming to America (1988)?
George Folsey Jr. and Robert D. Wachs produced Coming to America (1988).