Popularity: 4 (history)
Director: | John Landis |
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Writer: | David Sheffield, Barry W. Blaustein, Eddie Murphy |
Staring: |
An African prince decides it’s time for him to find a princess... and his mission leads him and his most loyal friend to Queens, New York. In disguise as an impoverished immigrant, the pampered prince quickly finds himself a new job, new friends, new digs, new enemies and lots of trouble. | |
Release Date: | Jun 29, 1988 |
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Director: | John Landis |
Writer: | David Sheffield, Barry W. Blaustein, Eddie Murphy |
Genres: | Comedy, Romance |
Keywords | new york city, fast food restaurant, prince, fake identity, royal family, heir to the throne, fish out of water, rich man, searching for love, rich family, satirical, pretending to be poor, absurd, hilarious, ambiguous, amused, exhilarated, familiar, melodramatic, african american romance, african american lead, african royalty |
Production Companies | Paramount Pictures, Eddie Murphy Productions |
Box Office |
Revenue: $288,752,301
Budget: $30,000,000 |
Updates |
Updated: Jul 30, 2025 Entered: Apr 13, 2024 |
Name | Character |
---|---|
Eddie Murphy | Prince Akeem / Clarence / Randy Watson / Saul |
Arsenio Hall | Semmi / Extremely Ugly Girl / Morris / Reverend Brown |
Shari Headley | Lisa McDowell |
John Amos | Cleo McDowell |
James Earl Jones | King Jaffe Joffer |
Madge Sinclair | Queen Aoleon |
Eriq La Salle | Darryl Jenks |
Allison Dean | Patrice McDowell |
Frankie Faison | Landlord |
Louie Anderson | Maurice |
Paul Bates | Oha |
Samuel L. Jackson | Hold-Up Man |
Vanessa Bell Calloway | Imani Izzi |
Calvin Lockhart | Colonel Izzi |
Vondie Curtis-Hall | Basketball Game Vendor |
Cuba Gooding Jr. | Boy Getting Haircut |
Feather | Rose Bearer #1 |
Stephanie Simon | Rose Bearer #2 |
Garcelle Beauvais | Rose Bearer #3 |
Ruben Santiago-Hudson | Street Hustler |
Birdie M. Hale | Elderly Passenger |
Clyde Jones | Soul Glo Man |
Jim Abrahams | Face on Cutting Room Floor |
Victoria Dillard | Bather / Dancer |
Felicia Taylor | Bather |
Midori | Bather |
Sheila Johnson | Lady-in-Waiting |
Jake Steinfeld | Cab Driver |
Clint Smith | Sweets |
Uncle Ray Murphy | Stu |
Paulette Banoza | Soul Glo Woman |
Patricia Matthews | Devil Woman |
Mary Bond Davis | Big Stank Woman |
Carla Earle | Tough Girl |
Karen Owens | Ex-Siamese Twin / Dancer |
Sharon Owens | Ex-Siamese Twin / Dancer |
Lisa Gumora | Kinky Girl |
June Boykins | Strange Woman |
Janette Colon | Fresh Peaches |
Vanessa Colon | Sugar Cube |
Monique Mannen | Boring Girl / Dancer |
Mindora Mimms | Awareness Woman |
Cynthia Finkley | Awareness Woman |
David Sosna | Cartier Delivery Man |
Arthur Adams | Mr. Jenks |
Loni Kaye Harkless | Mrs. Jenks |
Montrose Hagins | Grandma Jenks |
Tonja Rivers | Party Guest |
Ralph Bellamy | Randolph Duke / Homeless Man #1 (uncredited) |
Don Ameche | Mortimer Duke / Homeless Man #2 (uncredited) |
Karl Denson | 'Sexual Chocolate' Saxophonist (uncredited) |
Elaine Kagan | Telegraph Lady (uncredited) |
Michael Tadross | Taxi Driver (uncredited) |
Steve White | Subway Guy (uncredited) |
Helen Hanft | Subway Lady (uncredited) |
Leah Aldridge | Dancer (uncredited) |
Aurorah Allain | Dancer (uncredited) |
Paula Brown | Dancer (uncredited) |
Dwayne Chattman | Dancer (uncredited) |
Stephanie Clark | Dancer (uncredited) |
Robin L. Dimension | Dancer (uncredited) |
Shaun Earl | Dancer (uncredited) |
Eric L. Ellis | Dancer (uncredited) |
Sharon Ferrol-Young | Dancer (uncredited) |
Eric D. Henderson | Dancer (uncredited) |
Gigi Hunter | Dancer (uncredited) |
Debra Johnson | Dancer (uncredited) |
Tanya Lynne Lee | Dancer (uncredited) |
Jimmy Locust | Dancer (uncredited) |
Donna M. Perkins | Dancer (uncredited) |
Dionne Rockhold | Dancer (uncredited) |
Gina Consuela Rose | Dancer (uncredited) |
Randolph Scott | Dancer (uncredited) |
Robbin Tasha-Ford | Dancer (uncredited) |
Jerald Vincent | Dancer (uncredited) |
Eyan Williams | Dancer (uncredited) |
Roy Milton Davis | Homeless Man Around Garbage Can Bonfire (uncredited) |
Dorian DeMichele | Viola (uncredited) |
Alison Gordy | Blond Hooker / Bag Lady in Fast Food Place (uncredited) |
Mary Young | Stuck-Up Girl (uncredited) |
Tobe Hooper | Party Guest (uncredited) |
Raymond D. Turner | T-Shirt Hawker |
Name | Job |
---|---|
John Landis | Director |
David Sheffield | Screenplay |
Barry W. Blaustein | Screenplay |
Nile Rodgers | Original Music Composer |
Richard B. Lewis | Art Direction |
Bruce McBroom | Still Photographer |
Francine Jamison-Tanchuck | Costume Supervisor |
Paula Abdul | Choreographer |
Rick Baker | Makeup Effects, Makeup Artist |
Michael Tadross | Unit Production Manager |
Stan Cockerell | Assistant Property Master |
Richard Evans | Swing |
Dean Drabin | Foley Mixer |
James Beshears | Supervising ADR Editor |
Carlton Holder | Stunt Double |
Eddie Murphy | Story |
Madelyn Most | Assistant Camera |
Jon Falkengren | Dolly Grip |
Dennis Gamiello | First Company Grip |
Joseph Cosko Jr. | Second Assistant Camera |
Brian Fitzsimons | Second Company Grip |
Ferne Cassel | Casting Assistant |
Bill Christians | Wardrobe Supervisor |
Sol Negrin | Director of Photography |
Woody Omens | Director of Photography |
Malcolm Campbell | Editor |
Jackie Burch | Casting |
Richard Macdonald | Production Design |
Christopher Nowak | Art Direction |
Cheryal Kearney | Set Decoration |
Dan von Blomberg | Set Decoration |
Deborah Nadoolman Landis | Costume Design |
Carole Lee Cole | Assistant Art Director |
Jerry Fitzpatrick | Construction Coordinator |
William Apperson | Construction Foreman |
Philip C. Hurst | Greensman |
R. Gilbert Clayton | Set Designer |
Ken Fisher | First Assistant Camera |
Bruce Atwater | Grip |
Kelly Kimball | Assistant Costume Designer |
Rolf John Keppler | Makeup Artist |
Gerald DeTitta | Set Dressing Artist |
Marc Fambro | Carpenter |
Eddie Jones | Craft Service |
Patrick Hogan | Driver |
Gregg H. Bilson | Property Master |
Edward Garzero | Scenic Artist |
Greg Knapp | Set Medic |
Frank Graziadei | Sound Recordist |
John Sherrod | Stunt Coordinator |
Lindell Blake | Stunts |
Cary Kelley | Transportation Coordinator |
Saul Kahan | Unit Publicist |
John Ashby | Utility Stunts |
David Sosna | First Assistant Director |
Bob Noland | Color Timer |
Richie Ford | Electrician |
Michael T. James | Rigging Grip |
Charles Miller | Location Manager |
Janet L. Wattles | Production Accountant |
Terry Ladin | Production Coordinator |
Louis Sabat | Boom Operator |
Spike Allison Hooper | Assistant Sound Editor |
Daniel Allan Carlin | Music Editor |
Mike Dobie | Sound Editor |
William B. Kaplan | Sound Mixer |
Paul Timothy Carden | Supervising Sound Editor |
Danny Cangemi | Special Effects Supervisor |
William Howard | Assistant Hairstylist |
Marie Carter | Assistant Makeup Artist |
Charles Brescia | Additional Second Assistant Director |
Richard Patrick | Second Assistant Director |
Tomaz Remec | Second Second Assistant Director |
John Haggar | Assistant Editor |
Chris Schutsky | Location Assistant |
Ed Cooper | Assistant Chief Lighting Technician |
John W. DeBlau | Chief Lighting Technician |
Rae Lockett | Extras Casting Assistant |
Joseph Banks | Generator Operator |
Martha Appel | Production Assistant |
Ginny Warner | Production Secretary |
Brian Stewart | Story Editor |
George Folsey Jr. | Editor |
Drew Struzan | Art Designer |
Sunny Johnson | Grip |
Name | Title |
---|---|
Leslie Belzberg | Executive Producer |
Mark Lipsky | Executive Producer |
Robert D. Wachs | Producer |
David Sosna | Associate Producer |
Eddie Murphy | Executive Producer |
George Folsey Jr. | Producer |
Organization | Category | Person | |
---|---|---|---|
Golden Globes | Best Supporting Actor | N/A | Nominated |
Academy Awards | Best Actress | Eddie Murphy | Nominated |
BAFTA Awards | Best Actor | Eddie Murphy | Nominated |
Popularity History
Year | Month | Avg | Max | Min |
---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | 4 | 61 | 106 | 46 |
2024 | 5 | 144 | 163 | 100 |
2024 | 6 | 111 | 155 | 43 |
2024 | 7 | 67 | 96 | 50 |
2024 | 8 | 44 | 65 | 30 |
2024 | 9 | 46 | 80 | 31 |
2024 | 10 | 42 | 70 | 30 |
2024 | 11 | 40 | 48 | 30 |
2024 | 12 | 41 | 49 | 30 |
2025 | 1 | 40 | 53 | 30 |
2025 | 2 | 35 | 47 | 7 |
2025 | 3 | 13 | 45 | 3 |
2025 | 4 | 9 | 17 | 6 |
2025 | 5 | 9 | 19 | 6 |
2025 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 6 |
2025 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 5 |
2025 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
2025 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 4 |
2025 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Trending Position
Year | Month | High | Avg |
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2025 | 9 | 799 | 862 |
Year | Month | High | Avg |
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2025 | 8 | 313 | 722 |
Year | Month | High | Avg |
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2025 | 7 | 657 | 764 |
Year | Month | High | Avg |
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2025 | 6 | 396 | 662 |
Year | Month | High | Avg |
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2025 | 5 | 457 | 751 |
Year | Month | High | Avg |
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2025 | 4 | 570 | 813 |
Year | Month | High | Avg |
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2025 | 3 | 304 | 673 |
Year | Month | High | Avg |
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2025 | 2 | 242 | 376 |
Year | Month | High | Avg |
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2025 | 1 | 546 | 815 |
Year | Month | High | Avg |
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2024 | 12 | 619 | 772 |
Year | Month | High | Avg |
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2024 | 11 | 773 | 879 |
Year | Month | High | Avg |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | 9 | 910 | 931 |
Hasn't aged flawlessly, made some stylistic decisions that probably would have come across as weird even at the time, and not the sort of thing (American comedy) that typically appeals to me. But I can still absolutely see why _Coming to America_ is remembered as fondly as it is. I liked it by and l ... arge more than the most similar offerings of today. _Final rating:★★½ - Not quite for me, but I definitely get the appeal._
I didn't enjoy it as much as expected, but <em>'Coming to America'</em> is nevertheless still good. Eddie Murphy is unsurprisingly the star of the film. Any notable scenes include him, which isn't a shock given the obvious and the fact he plays a number of characters; on that note, only Akeem amu ... sed me - the barber shop guys... not so much, to be honest. James Earl Jones (Jaffe), John Amos (Cleo) and Frankie Faison (landlord) are the most noteworthy in terms of those away from the lead, while there is even an appearance from someone named Samuel L. Jackson - what ever happened to that guy?! I wanted/anticipated much stronger humour, if only due to Murphy's presence. I can't say I laughed that much, which is disappointing. The romance parts are probably more memorable to me, even if it's kinda familiar in those regards. With all that said, I can see why loads thoroughly enjoy this - it just didn't fully land on me, personally. Still worth viewing and I'm very much up to see the sequel.
_**My all-time favorite comedy**_ In "Coming to America" (1988) Eddie Murphy plays the likable prince of a rich African kingdom, Akeem. He comes to Queens to find his future queen accompanied by his best friend & servant, Semmi, played by Arsenio Hall. He understandably wants a wife who will love ... him for who he is and not for his great riches. So they get hired at McDowell's, a McDonald's knock-off, where he meets the shining daughter of the owner (Shari Headley). Is she the one? Will she find a fast-food mop boy appealing enough to marry? As noted in my title blurb, "Coming to America" is my all-time favorite comedy. Why? Simply because it's a laugh-riot from beginning to end. The first time I saw it was on TV in 2000 and I couldn't stop laughing; I saw it again last night (after purchasing it) and it had the same effect. Everything works here -- the characters, the jokes, the story -- to make "Coming to America" one of the greatest comedies ever made. GRADE: A+
Really good watch, would watch again, and can recommend. A very good approach to a "Pauper and Prince" trope mix with a culture shock trope. The excellent cast involved really takes it a long way with good writing to help it along. It's admittedly not a very original story structure, so while ... it is not all that refreshingly unpredictable, but it's good to see a foreign royalty in an American setting, and an African one at that. I do think this is consistently funny and has maintained over 30 years, so definitely check this out if you haven't.
_Coming to America_ is a classic 80's comedy with excellent performances by Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall. The film's humor holds up well over time, and the duo's ability to portray a variety of different characters is impressive. While some aspects of the film may be dated, it remains a hilarious a ... nd heartwarming story about love and acceptance. Overall, _Coming to America_ is a timeless classic and one of the greatest comedies of the 80’s. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good laugh.