Harlem Nights

R

Released Nov 17, 1989

1 hr. 58 min.

Comedy

List

26%

38 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In the waning days of Prohibition, Sugar Ray (Richard Pryor) and his adopted son, Quick (Eddie Murphy), run a speakeasy called Club Sugar Ray. When gangster Bugsy Calhoune (Michael Lerner) learns that Sugar Ray's place is pulling in more money than his own establishment, the Pitty Pat Club, he pays corrupt cop Phil Cantone (Danny Aiello) to close Club Sugar Ray down. Quick doesn't exactly help the situation when he falls for Calhoune's gun moll, Miss Dominique La Rue (Jasmine Guy).

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Premiered Apr 17

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Critics Consensus

An all-star comedy lineup is wasted on a paper-thin plot and painfully clunky dialogue.

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Josh B

A clear example that critics have no clue about what is good and what is not good. This film is an absolute classic and hilarious. It's an epic comedic achievement that remains funny decades after its release.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/24

Full Review

James F

Don't expect a great movie, it isn't. But it isn't nearly as bad as the critical reception it received. In particular, Richard Pryor's considerable talents are largely wasted here in favor of an ill-fated attempt to make a star vehicle for Eddie Murphy. Nevertheless, when you put Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx together, you are going to get some scenes that are funny and worth your time. It is uneven, but definitely has its moments.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/15/23

Full Review

Lucas G

Funny movie, interesting plot, what's not to like

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/07/23

Full Review

Steve D

The tone didn't work for me.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/04/23

Full Review

Bret J

I have seen this movie many times, and it only gets better with each viewing! The amount of talent assembled here has rarely been touched. Murphy and Pryor are a perfect father/son (sort of) combo (watch the movie to understand that statement). I could say so much more, but I'll leave it there for now.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/04/23

Full Review

StephenPaul C

LOL, the funniest 01 hour: and 58 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/11/23

Full Review

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Eddie Murphy

Director

Eddie Murphy

Quick

Richard Pryor

Sugar Ray

Redd Foxx

Bennie Wilson

Danny Aiello

Phil Cantone

Michael Lerner

Bugsy Calhoune

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Harlem Nights: Official Clip - This is Personal

2:13

Harlem Nights: Official Clip - Bad Luck With Kids

2:12

Harlem Nights: Official Clip - She's a Sweet Old Woman

2:12

Harlem Nights: Official Clip - I Aint Ever Comin Home

1:58

Harlem Nights: Official Clip - Come on Sucka, Let's Get It On

2:11

Harlem Nights: Official Clip - Bennie "Snake Eyes" Wilson

2:11

Harlem Nights: Official Clip - Shooting Up Quick

2:12

Harlem Nights: Official Clip - Are You Sayin' I'm Stealin'?

2:07

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Tribune

''Harlem Nights,'' it's worth remembering, is a comedy, though as the body count piles up and entire reels go by without a joke in sight, it's also easy to forget.

Rated: 1/4

Mar 26, 2019

Full Review

Michael Wilmington

Los Angeles Times

If he's going to confine himself to bad movies like "Harlem Nights," it's probably better that he writes and directs them himself.

Mar 26, 2019

Full Review

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

Harlem Nights offers a depressing answer to that not entirely pressing question, "Will success spoil Eddie Murphy?" It looks as if it has.

Mar 26, 2019

Full Review

Terry Francis

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

The degree of ineptness with which this film is made must finally amount to some form of contempt for the audience.

Rated: 0.5/4

May 9, 2023

Full Review

Common Sense Media Editors

Common Sense Media

Instead here lies the rare relish of seeing bonafide comedy legends Murphy, in his first directing jaunt -- he also wrote it -- and Prior play father and son.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 14, 2022

Full Review

Cory Woodroof

615 Film

Look, this is a better film than Dick Tracy, and almost as interesting aesthetically. This also has Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor and Redd freaking Foxx on the same screen.

Jul 17, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

In the waning days of Prohibition, Sugar Ray (Richard Pryor) and his adopted son, Quick (Eddie Murphy), run a speakeasy called Club Sugar Ray. When gangster Bugsy Calhoune (Michael Lerner) learns that Sugar Ray's place is pulling in more money than his own establishment, the Pitty Pat Club, he pays corrupt cop Phil Cantone (Danny Aiello) to close Club Sugar Ray down. Quick doesn't exactly help the situation when he falls for Calhoune's gun moll, Miss Dominique La Rue (Jasmine Guy).

Director: Eddie Murphy
Executive Producer: Eddie Murphy
Screenwriter: Eddie Murphy
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Eddie Murphy Productions, Paramount Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 17, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $58.5M
Sound Mix: Surround

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