The Golden Child

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The Golden Child

PG-13

1986

1h 31m

Comedy

Adventure

Fantasy

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Popcornmeter

22%

Tomatometer

27 Reviews

47%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

After a Tibetan boy, the mystical Golden Child (J.L. Reate), is kidnapped by the evil Sardo Numspa (Charles Dance), humankind's fate hangs in the balance. On the other side of the world in Los Angeles, the priestess Kee Nang (Charlotte Lewis) seeks the Chosen One, who will save the boy from death. When Nang sees social worker Chandler Jarrell (Eddie Murphy) on television discussing his ability to find missing children, she solicits his expertise, despite his skepticism over being "chosen."

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David Stratton

Sydney Morning Herald

A generally over-produced, over-cooked movie.

May 27, 2021

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

This film -- insignificant and lightweight and monumentally silly -- is entertaining from beginning to end.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

A half-baked comedy without a heart.

Jan 1, 2000

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Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

This movie is absolutely madness and the CGI doesn't hold up, but I still find this enjoyable. The 80's were a wild time.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 12, 2025

Full Review

Brandon Collins

Medium Popcorn

There some very intense, oddly gothic moments in this movie that don't match the comedic tone that Eddie Murphy was going for. Lots of things were apparently changed from the initial idea and this is evident in the final product.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 12, 2025

Full Review

Casey Chong

Casey's Movie Mania

[Eddie] Murphy’s role as a wisecracking detective specialising in finding missing children may have been right up his alley. But his usual charismatic turn isn’t enough to offset the slapdash and clunky plot.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jul 4, 2024

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ERICK M

goofy. but some great lines.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

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Yoosik Ethan O

Great memories of the 80’s watching this funny film. It’s a really silly plot full of demons trying to get a perfect child who will save the world. But you really don’t mind because Eddie Murphy saves this film. He’s pretty funny from start to finish and gets a lot of laughs overall.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

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Todd B

I think this was the first movie, after the '86 tour that he did, Eddie. Good movie classic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/24

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Daniel P

Is this a comedy movie? It has Eddie Murphy who is quite well known for his comedy roles. But the movie is sometimes serious and Eddie's gags aren't funny. Lots of cussing that feels out of place. I'm not sure what to make of it other than to say it's not a good movie.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

Full Review

Alan g

Eddie Murphy mugs thru the entire movie and thinks that is acting. It is not. Same in all his boring movies. Success on the small screen rarely translates into success on the big screen. Thank the maker he no longer makes movies. I wish I could says the same for faux tv actors: Kevin James, the Crock, Kevin Fart, Ben Still,

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/08/24

Full Review

alan g

A smirking Eddie Murphy thinks he can act but he is no action hero. Lousy movie, lousy script, lousy acting. Movie poster tell you all you need to know. Avoid like the plague.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/24/24

Full Review

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Michael Ritchie

Director

Eddie Murphy

Chandler Jarrell

Charles Dance

Sardo Numspa

Charlotte Lewis

Kee Nang

Victor Wong

The Old Man

Randall "Tex" Cobb

Til

The Golden Child: Official Clip - Chandler's Dream

2:13

The Golden Child: Official Clip - Dancing Pepsi Can

2:13

The Golden Child: Official Clip - Viva Nepal!

2:10

The Golden Child: Official Clip - There's No Ground Here

2:13

The Golden Child: Official Clip - Brother Numpsay!

2:12

The Golden Child: Official Clip - It's Your Destiny

2:13

The Golden Child: Official Clip - Let's Get Outta Here

2:12

The Golden Child: Official Clip - I Want the Knife

2:13

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Synopsis

After a Tibetan boy, the mystical Golden Child (J.L. Reate), is kidnapped by the evil Sardo Numspa (Charles Dance), humankind's fate hangs in the balance. On the other side of the world in Los Angeles, the priestess Kee Nang (Charlotte Lewis) seeks the Chosen One, who will save the boy from death. When Nang sees social worker Chandler Jarrell (Eddie Murphy) on television discussing his ability to find missing children, she solicits his expertise, despite his skepticism over being "chosen."

Director: Michael Ritchie
Producer: Dennis Feldman, Edward S. Feldman, Robert D. Wachs
Screenwriter: Dennis Feldman
Production Co: Paramount
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 6, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $78.1M
Runtime: 1h 31m
Sound Mix: Surround

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