Trading Places

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0:58

Trading Places

R

1983

1h 56m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

53 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Upper-crust executive Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd) and down-and-out hustler Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) are the subjects of a bet by successful brokers Mortimer (Don Ameche) and Randolph Duke (Ralph Bellamy). An employee of the Dukes, Winthorpe is framed by the brothers for a crime he didn't commit, with the siblings then installing the street-smart Valentine in his position. When Winthorpe and Valentine uncover the scheme, they set out to turn the tables on the Dukes.

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Critics Consensus

Featuring deft interplay between Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, Trading Places is an immensely appealing social satire.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Trading Places cushions the social satire of its theme with broad comedy.

Mar 15, 2023

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

Guardian

Trading Places, in this of all Hollywood years, is a joy to behold -- clever without being smart, affectionate without being sentimental, They can make movies like they used to after all.

Aug 20, 2021

Full Review

Yardena Arar

Associated Press

Landis' direction is deft, but the sparkling performances are the real draw not only by Murphy and Aykroyd but also by Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy as the meddling oldsters, Denholm Elliott as the gentlemanly servant and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Oct 23, 2018

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The pacing is too slow and the humor spread too thin to sustain this trite script, even if its box office takings relate the opposite, boosting the careers of virtually the entire cast.

Rated: 4/10

Jul 15, 2025

Full Review

Fico Cangiano

CineXpress Podcast

Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd are quite the duo in this funny Christmas film with some strong themes under its hood. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 9, 2021

Full Review

Allison Rose

FlickDirect

Since 48 hrs. had yet to be released, Landis and the studio took a big risk casting Murphy, fortunately, the gamble (pun intended) paid off.

Rated: 4.5/5

Dec 9, 2020

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Jack F

I didn't really like it. It wasn't my style of movie to watch. But I'm glad I watched it overall cuz I know it's pretty well known.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/27/25

Full Review

Danny W.

Ain’t cool being no jive turkey so close to Thanksgiving. Great actors, great story, almost a perfect holiday movie. And don’t forget “And she stepped on the ball.”

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/22/25

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Jacqueline P

Best film in the world. Hands down

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/21/25

Full Review

Stephen F

Great movie, Eddie Murphys 2nd film release and the guy is on top of his game, must see at the time as he was the man of the moment. Set over the Christmas period its the Christmas movie you need never knew you needed, great storyline, great acting all round, it's up there with the best Hollywood has to offer, treat yourself

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/17/25

Full Review

Larry K

Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd are hilarious!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/10/25

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Brent A

40% rating ... Interesting storyline concept, but the humor fell flat at times.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/14/25

Full Review

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John Landis

Director

Dan Aykroyd

Louis Winthorpe III

Eddie Murphy

Billy Ray Valentine

Ralph Bellamy

Randolph Duke

Don Ameche

Mortimer Duke

Denholm Elliott

Coleman

Trading Places: Official Clip - Down & Out Santa

1:41

Trading Places: Official Clip - The S-Car Go

1:53

Trading Places: Official Clip - Haggling at the Pawnshop

1:11

Trading Places: Official Clip - Those Men Wanted to Have Sex with Me

2:07

Trading Places: Official Clip - Pork Bellies Going Down

0:48

Trading Places: Official Clip - Very Bad Santa

1:59

Trading Places: Official Clip - The One Dollar Bet

1:42

Trading Places: Official Clip - I Can See!

1:30

Trading Places: Official Clip - You Want Me to Break Something Else?

0:46

Trading Places: Official Clip - It Was the Dukes

1:06

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Trading Places: Teaser Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Upper-crust executive Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd) and down-and-out hustler Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) are the subjects of a bet by successful brokers Mortimer (Don Ameche) and Randolph Duke (Ralph Bellamy). An employee of the Dukes, Winthorpe is framed by the brothers for a crime he didn't commit, with the siblings then installing the street-smart Valentine in his position. When Winthorpe and Valentine uncover the scheme, they set out to turn the tables on the Dukes.

Director: John Landis
Producer: Aaron Russo
Screenwriter: Timothy Hyde Harris, Herschel Weingrod
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Cinema Group Ventures
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 6, 2016
Runtime: 1h 56m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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