Coming to America

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2:38

Coming to America

R

1988

1h 56m

Comedy

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

55 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) is the prince of a wealthy African country and wants for nothing, except a wife who will love him in spite of his title. To escape an arranged marriage, Akeem flees to America accompanied by his persnickety sidekick, Semmi (Arsenio Hall), to find his queen. Disguised as a foreign student working in fast food, he romances Lisa (Shari Headley), but struggles with revealing his true identity to her and his marital intentions to his king father (James Earl Jones).

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Critics Consensus

Eddie Murphy was in full control at this point, starkly evident in Coming to America's John Landis' coasting direction.

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Derek Malcolm

Guardian

Subtlety is not Mr Murphy's strong point, but on the, whole his spiky charm saves both him and the movie.

Jul 22, 2021

Full Review

David Robinson

The Times (UK)

John Landis directs the slim affair at a riskily leisured pace; but with some enjoyment from supporting characters such as James Earl Jones as the King and Eriq LaSalle as the Prince's rival for spunky Shari Headley.

Jul 22, 2021

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

This comedy is generally tame and sappy... what we get is homogenized Eddie Murphy, drained of his kinetic comic charm and smiling sass.

Jan 29, 2019

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Herb Boyd

The Crisis

What a pleasure it is to see such a glamorous array of black people on screen.

Nov 27, 2023

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Bill Chambers

Film Freak Central

Even Akeem's gentle African lilt seems like Murphy trying to distance himself from his star persona, if not demonstrate his range.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 3, 2022

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Sean Collier

Box Office Prophets

It is charmingly old-school in plenty of regards - while remaining quotable.

Rated: 8/10

Mar 31, 2021

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Oaklee D

Somewhat enjoyable, the film got some laughs out of me.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/15/25

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Sean G

Most hilarious and impressive comedy movie filled with romance and adventure I've ever seen before and Eddie Murphy is a comedic genius 👏 and filled with phenomenal actors like James earl jones etc 10/10 highly recommend watching

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/06/25

Full Review

Pedro Henrique C

Coming To America (1988) is a very enjoyable film to watch, the story is quite crazy and pathetic but the cast manages to turn it into a good, fun comedy. There were a few moments where I managed to have a good laugh.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/21/25

Full Review

Erin K.

Top five Comedy movie of all time. RIP King of Zamunda 🦁

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/18/25

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Tina P.

I thought it was great.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/06/25

Full Review

Stephen C

A success in 1 hour and 56 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In memory of James Earl Jones (January 17th, 1931-September 09th, 2024) and John Amos (December 27th, 1939-August 21st, 2024)!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $128,100,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

Full Review

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John Landis

Director

Eddie Murphy

Prince Akeem

Arsenio Hall

Semmi

John Amos

Cleo McDowell

James Earl Jones

King Jaffe Joffer

Shari Headley

Lisa McDowell

Coming to America: Official Clip - The King Has Entered the Building

1:50

Coming to America: Official Clip - New Digs

0:57

Coming to America: Official Clip - Unhappy Meal

1:35

Coming to America: Official Clip - Miss Black Awareness Pageant

1:43

Coming to America: Official Clip - Cassius Clay or Muhammad Ali

1:02

Coming to America: Official Clip - Sparring Session

1:28

Coming to America: Official Clip - Akeem Meets Lisa

0:59

Coming to America: Official Clip - Akeem Talks Football

0:48

Coming to America: Official Clip - The Barbershop

1:19

Coming to America: Official Clip - Semmi Writes Home

0:56

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Synopsis

Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) is the prince of a wealthy African country and wants for nothing, except a wife who will love him in spite of his title. To escape an arranged marriage, Akeem flees to America accompanied by his persnickety sidekick, Semmi (Arsenio Hall), to find his queen. Disguised as a foreign student working in fast food, he romances Lisa (Shari Headley), but struggles with revealing his true identity to her and his marital intentions to his king father (James Earl Jones).

Director: John Landis
Producer: George Folsey Jr., Robert D. Wachs
Screenwriter: Barry W. Blaustein, David Sheffield
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount, Eddie Murphy Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 29, 1988, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $128.1M
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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