The Best And Worst Movies In Eddie Murphy’s Career
Eddie Murphy’s career has never done boring.
One movie turns him into the funniest person in the room by a ridiculous margin, and another leaves people staring at the screen like even he looks a little confused about how this happened.
That kind of filmography is hard to resist. The highs come with swagger and the kind of comic timing that can make a single line read feel like a full event.
Then the lows show up wearing baffling wigs, questionable scripts, or energy that feels way too expensive to be that strange.
Still, that wild range is part of what makes his career so much fun to look at. Few stars have been this electric at their best and this fascinating at their roughest.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational and entertainment purposes only. Evaluations of Eddie Murphy’s films reflect editorial opinion, and individual viewers may disagree on which titles represent his highest and lowest points.
1. Beverly Hills Cop (1984) – Best
If you had to pick one movie that launched Eddie Murphy into superstar territory, this is it. Playing Detroit detective Axel Foley, Murphy brought electric charm and sharp wit to every single scene.
The film became a massive box office smash, earning over $316 million worldwide on a modest budget.
Axel Foley sneaking into fancy Beverly Hills spots with street-smart tricks? Pure comedy gold.
The chemistry between Murphy and the stiff Beverly Hills cops created laugh-out-loud moments that still hold up today.
2. Coming to America (1988) – Best
Prince Akeem leaving his luxurious African kingdom to find true love in Queens, New York? What a setup!
Murphy played multiple characters in this romantic comedy, including Akeem and several hilarious barbershop regulars, showcasing a range of talent that left audiences absolutely floored.
How many actors can play four completely different roles and make each one unforgettable? Murphy pulled it off brilliantly alongside his real-life friend Arsenio Hall.
The film earned over $288 million globally and became a cultural touchstone. A sequel arrived in 2021, proving the original story still has plenty of royal charm to spare.
3. Dreamgirls (2006) – Best
Nobody expected Eddie Murphy to deliver one of the most emotionally powerful performances of his career in a musical drama, but here we are!
Portraying soul singer James “Thunder” Early, Murphy channeled real heartbreak and showmanship into every scene with breathtaking authenticity.
Critics who had written him off were suddenly scrambling to praise him. His performance earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, which was absolutely well-deserved.
Where comedic timing usually rules his work, raw emotional depth ruled this one.
4. Dolemite Is My Name (2019) – Best
After years of disappointing films, Eddie Murphy roared back like a superhero returning from retirement.
Playing real-life comedian and filmmaker Rudy Ray Moore, Murphy delivered a performance so full of joy and conviction that critics could barely contain their excitement.
Golden Globe nomination? Absolutely earned.
Rudy Ray Moore was a wild, self-made legend who willed his own movie career into existence through sheer determination, and Murphy captured every ounce of that unstoppable energy.
The Netflix film became an instant fan favorite and sparked serious Oscar-season buzz.
5. Shrek (2001) – Best
Voiced characters rarely steal entire animated films from the main hero, but Donkey had absolutely zero interest in playing second fiddle to a green ogre.
Murphy’s voice work as the fast-talking, lovable Donkey is genuinely one of the greatest animated performances in cinema history. No exaggeration!
Every line delivery felt spontaneous and completely alive. Shrek grossed over $484 million worldwide and launched a franchise that kept audiences coming back for more Donkey moments.
Fun fact: many of Donkey’s funniest lines were improvised by Murphy on the spot. If that does not scream natural comedic genius, nothing will.
1. The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002) – Worst
Imagine spending $100 million to make a movie that earns just $7 million at the box office. That painful math describes Pluto Nash perfectly, and it remains one of Hollywood’s most legendary financial disasters.
The sci-fi comedy was so poorly received that its release was delayed by two full years.
Set on the moon in 2087, the film tried to blend action and comedy but managed neither convincingly. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a devastating 6% critic score, which is almost impressively bad.
Though Murphy has survived many career setbacks, Pluto Nash stands as the undisputed heavyweight champion of his worst big-screen moments.
2. Norbit (2007) – Worst
Norbit arrived in theaters just weeks before the Academy Awards, and critics were not shy about pointing out the awkward timing given Murphy’s Dreamgirls nomination.
Murphy played three separate characters, including a large and mean-spirited wife named Rasputia, relying heavily on fat-suit humor that many found more uncomfortable than funny.
However, audiences actually showed up, and the film made over $95 million worldwide despite a brutal 9% Rotten Tomatoes score. Murphy himself has since defended it, arguing the movie got unfairly trashed.
Fair point or not, Norbit will forever be remembered as the film that may have cost him an Oscar. Ouch!
3. Best Defense (1984) – Worst
Released the same year as Beverly Hills Cop, Best Defense proved that even a rising superstar can stumble badly.
Murphy was brought in late during production as a so-called “strategic guest star,” which meant his scenes were essentially filmed separately and edited in to boost the film’s appeal. It did not work.
Critics hammered the film for its confusing structure and weak comedy, and audiences largely stayed away.
The whole experience reportedly frustrated Murphy, who had little creative control over how his role was shaped.
4. I Spy (2002) – Worst
Pairing Eddie Murphy with Owen Wilson sounds like a recipe for comedic magic, right? Somehow, I Spy managed to waste that promising combination almost completely.
Based on the classic 1960s TV series, the film had a built-in fan base but failed to deliver anything remotely exciting or memorable for them.
Critics called it flat, formulaic, and surprisingly laugh-free for a comedy starring two genuinely funny people.
The film barely broke even at the box office, earning around $55 million against its $70 million budget. Where the chemistry should have crackled, it simply fizzled.
