Eddie Murphy is one of the most iconic comedians and actors Hollywood has ever seen. From his explosive debut in the early 1980s to his celebrated comeback decades later, his career has had some truly unforgettable highs and some surprising lows.
Whether you grew up watching him in Beverly Hills Cop or laughing at Donkey in Shrek, there is something in his filmography for everyone. Here is a look at his greatest and weakest films, ranked across his remarkable career.
1. Dolemite Is My Name (2019) – His Greatest Comeback
Nobody expected Eddie Murphy to deliver the performance of a lifetime in 2019, but that is exactly what happened. Playing real-life comedian and filmmaker Rudy Ray Moore, Murphy brought so much energy and heart to the role that critics could not stop talking about it.
Rotten Tomatoes ranks it as his number one film. Many fans and reviewers called it a career-best performance, proving Murphy never lost his spark.
2. 48 Hrs. (1982) – The Film That Started It All
Before Beverly Hills Cop, before Shrek, there was 48 Hrs., the movie that introduced the world to Eddie Murphy on the big screen. Paired with Nick Nolte, Murphy played a fast-talking convict helping solve a crime, and audiences went absolutely wild for him.
Critics praised the film for shaking up the buddy-cop genre. It was raw, funny, and electric, setting the stage for one of Hollywood’s most exciting careers.
3. Trading Places (1983) – Comedy With a Sharp Edge
Trading Places is the kind of comedy that makes you laugh and think at the same time. Murphy played a street hustler who switches lives with a wealthy businessman, played by Dan Aykroyd, in a sharp social satire that still holds up today.
Critics loved its bold humor and pointed commentary on race and class. For many film fans, it remains one of the funniest and smartest movies Murphy ever made.
4. Beverly Hills Cop (1984) – The Role That Made Him a Legend
Axel Foley is one of the most beloved movie characters of the 1980s, and Beverly Hills Cop is the film that made Eddie Murphy a superstar. His quick wit and natural charm turned what could have been a standard action movie into something truly special.
The film earned Certified Fresh status on Rotten Tomatoes and became a massive box office hit. Murphy’s comedic timing here is still studied by fans of the genre today.
5. Coming to America (1988) – A Beloved Classic
Few movies from the 1980s are as warmly remembered as Coming to America. Murphy played an African prince who travels to Queens, New York, searching for a bride who will love him for who he truly is, not his title or wealth.
The film is funny, charming, and surprisingly sweet. Murphy played multiple characters with impressive skill, and the movie became a personal favorite for millions of fans across generations.
6. Shrek (2001) and Shrek 2 (2004) – The Voice Behind Donkey
Murphy did not even appear on screen in the Shrek films, yet his voice performance as Donkey became one of the most beloved animated characters of all time. His comedic energy and natural delivery made every single scene funnier.
Both Shrek and Shrek 2 were massive blockbusters that introduced Murphy to a whole new generation of fans. Shrek 2 even became one of the highest-grossing animated films of its era when it was released.
7. The Nutty Professor (1996) – A Showcase of Pure Talent
Playing one character is hard enough, but Murphy played seven different roles in The Nutty Professor, including multiple members of the same family. His ability to disappear into each character, changing his voice, body language, and personality, amazed both critics and audiences.
Murphy himself has cited this film among his proudest achievements. It was a box office smash and reminded Hollywood just how versatile and fearless he could be as a performer.
8. Bowfinger (1999) – A Hidden Gem With Steve Martin
Bowfinger is one of those movies that did not get enough attention when it came out but has since earned a loyal following. Murphy played two completely opposite characters alongside Steve Martin, and the contrast between them was hilarious and surprisingly touching.
Critics praised Murphy’s range, noting how differently he inhabited each role. For fans who want to see his underrated side, this quirky Hollywood satire is absolutely worth seeking out today.
9. Dreamgirls (2006) – Oscar-Worthy Dramatic Work
Most people knew Murphy could make them laugh, but Dreamgirls showed he could also make them cry. Playing fading R&B star James Thunder Early, Murphy delivered a dramatic performance so powerful it earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.
He himself calls it one of his best films. Many believe the negative press surrounding Norbit, released around the same time, unfairly cost him the Oscar win he truly deserved that year.
10. The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002) – A Historic Flop
With a budget of over 100 million dollars and worldwide earnings of just 7 million, The Adventures of Pluto Nash is one of the biggest box office disasters in Hollywood history. Critics tore it apart, pointing to a weak script and almost no memorable laughs throughout.
Murphy himself has admitted it was one of his worst choices. It stands as a cautionary tale about how even the biggest stars can stumble badly when the material just is not there.
11. A Thousand Words (2012) – The Zero Percent Disaster
A Rotten Tomatoes score of zero percent is rare, but A Thousand Words managed to earn it. Critics called it a “disastrous comedy” and a “forgettable mess,” noting that Murphy’s usual energy felt completely wasted in a poorly written story with nowhere to go.
Many consider it the lowest point of his entire career. Audiences stayed away, and the film is now regularly used as an example of what happens when a great comedian gets stuck with a terrible script.
12. Holy Man (1998) – The Film He Chose Over Rush Hour
Here is a wild piece of trivia: Murphy turned down Rush Hour to make Holy Man. He later admitted he picked it because it seemed like an easy job, and the result was, by his own description, a “horrendous film.” Jackie Chan went on to make Rush Hour a massive hit instead.
Critics agreed with Murphy’s self-assessment, panning the movie widely. It is a reminder that sometimes the path of least resistance leads straight to a career misfire.
13. Norbit (2007) – Razzies, Controversy, and Oscar Fallout
Norbit is one of the most debated films in Murphy’s catalog. He played multiple characters, including a cruel and loud female villain, and critics absolutely hated it.
The film won him Razzie Awards for Worst Actor, Worst Actress, and even Worst Actor of the Decade.
Many film insiders believe its release right before Oscar voting hurt his Dreamgirls chances badly. Murphy, interestingly, has defended the movie publicly, saying he genuinely likes it and stands by his work.
14. Vampire in Brooklyn (1995) – A Genre Misfire
Wes Craven directed this horror-comedy, which sounds like a great combination on paper. Murphy played a Caribbean vampire searching for his destined mate in Brooklyn, and while the idea had potential, the film never quite found its footing between scares and laughs.
Critics and audiences were both left confused and underwhelmed. It falls into a strange middle ground where it is neither scary enough to satisfy horror fans nor funny enough to satisfy comedy fans.
15. Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) – When the Magic Wore Off
The original Beverly Hills Cop is a classic, and the sequel held its own, but the third installment is widely considered a serious drop in quality. Set inside a theme park, the story felt forced, and Murphy himself has publicly said he was not happy with how it turned out.
Critics agreed, calling it a lazy and uninspired follow-up. Even Murphy’s natural charisma could not save a film that felt like it was running on fumes rather than genuine creative energy.
16. Harlem Nights (1989) – When Murphy Tried to Do It All
Murphy wrote, directed, produced, and starred in Harlem Nights, which sounds incredibly ambitious, and it was. Unfortunately, critics were not kind, with many calling his directorial debut “amateurish at best.” The film also underperformed at the box office despite its star-studded cast.
Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx co-starred alongside Murphy, making the casting exciting on paper. Still, even great talent could not rescue a film that felt overambitious and underdeveloped from nearly every angle.
17. Meet Dave (2008) – A Comedy That Missed the Mark
The premise of Meet Dave, where Murphy plays a human-shaped spaceship piloted by tiny aliens, had potential for wild, imaginative comedy. Somehow, though, the execution fell completely flat, leaving critics and audiences scratching their heads in disappointment.
Reviews were harsh, with most agreeing the concept was wasted. It is often listed among his weakest efforts from a decade when Murphy struggled to find the right projects that matched his considerable comedic gifts and screen presence.
18. The Pickup (2025) – A Recent Stumble
Murphy’s most recent film, The Pickup, arrived with expectations but left critics unimpressed. Reviewers described the script as uninspired and noted that the physical humor required by the role felt ill-suited for Murphy at this stage of his career.
Nobody roots against a legend, and Murphy still has genuine fans hoping for another Dolemite-level comeback. For now, though, The Pickup serves as a reminder that even the greatest careers include chapters that are best quickly turned past.