Eddie Murphy is basically the reason the modern "blockbuster" exists. Honestly, if you look at the 1980s, there was a moment where he wasn't just a star—he was the entire industry. But tracing all movies with eddie murphy isn't just a list of hits. It's a weird, jagged timeline of absolute genius, baffling career choices, and a late-career pivot into family films that left some fans scratching their heads.
He was 19 when he hit SNL. Nineteen. By 21, he was in 48 Hrs. with Nick Nolte. Most actors spend decades trying to find their "voice," but Eddie showed up with his already amplified to eleven.
The Raw Power of the Eighties
You've probably heard the stories about Beverly Hills Cop. It wasn't even supposed to be his movie. Sylvester Stallone was the original pick, which would have been a totally different (and probably much more boring) flick. When Eddie stepped in as Axel Foley in 1984, he didn't just play a cop; he played a guy who talked his way through every locked door in America. It grossed over $230 million back then—which, if you adjust for today's money, is basically "buy-your-own-island" wealth.
Before that, though, there was Trading Places in 1983. This is the one where he and Dan Aykroyd swap lives because of a bet between two rich, bored old guys. It’s smart. It’s biting. And it proved Eddie could play "the smart guy" just as well as the street-smart hustler.
📖 Related: Is Disney+ Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse Actually Happening Anytime Soon?
- 48 Hrs. (1982): The debut. Reggie Hammond singing "Roxanne" in a jail cell is still iconic.
- Trading Places (1983): Billy Ray Valentine. The "looking at the camera" moments were peak comedy.
- Best Defense (1984): A weird one. He’s barely in it, but they put him on the poster anyway because he was so hot.
- The Golden Child (1986): "I want the kniiiiiife." It's a bit dated now, but at the time, everyone was quoting it.
- Beverly Hills Cop II (1987): Tony Scott brought a slicker look. Still a massive hit.
- Coming to America (1988): This is where the "multi-character" thing really started. Prince Akeem, Saul, Clarence... he did it all.
When Things Got Weird in the Nineties
Look, the 90s were a rollercoaster. For every Boomerang (1992), which was actually a really sophisticated romantic comedy, there was a Beverly Hills Cop III (1994). Even Eddie has admitted that the third one was a bit of a "paycheck" movie. He looked tired. The spark wasn't quite there.
Then came the makeup.
The Nutty Professor (1996) changed everything. It was a massive gamble. Playing the entire Klump family was a feat of stamina as much as acting. It made over $270 million and suddenly, the "edgy" Eddie Murphy was becoming the "family-friendly" Eddie Murphy.
The Hits and the Misses
- Another 48 Hrs. (1990): More of the same, but louder.
- The Distinguished Gentleman (1992): He plays a con man who gets elected to Congress. Kinda prophetic, if you think about it.
- Vampire in Brooklyn (1995): Wes Craven directed this. It’s a horror-comedy that didn't really land at the time, though some people have a soft spot for it now.
- Metro (1997): A straight-up action movie. He’s a hostage negotiator. It’s actually pretty solid, but people wanted him to be funny, not intense.
- Dr. Dolittle (1998): This solidified his shift to PG territory.
- Mulan (1998): Mushu! His voice work is legendary.
- Bowfinger (1999): Honestly, this might be his most underrated movie. He plays two characters (Kit and Jiff Ramsey) opposite Steve Martin. It’s a love letter to bad filmmaking.
The Donkey Years and the Oscars
The 2000s were dominated by a talking donkey. Shrek (2001) wasn't just a movie; it was a cultural shift. Eddie’s performance as Donkey is basically a masterclass in voice acting. He’s annoying, endearing, and hilarious all at once.
But then came the stuff like The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002). It’s often cited as one of the biggest bombs in Hollywood history. Cost about $100 million, made back about $7 million. Ouch.
He clawed back his respect with Dreamgirls (2006). He played James "Thunder" Early and finally got that Oscar nomination. He didn't win, but he proved that beneath the fat suits and the donkey ears, there was still a world-class actor.
- Shrek 2 (2004): Even bigger than the first.
- Norbit (2007): People love it or hate it. There is no middle ground with Rasputia.
- Meet Dave (2008): He plays a spaceship. Literally.
- Imagine That (2009): A sweet, quiet dad movie that didn't do much at the box office.
The Netflix Era and the 2026 Landscape
Fast forward to now. In the last few years, we've seen a massive resurgence. Dolemite Is My Name (2019) was a huge reminder of why we love him. It was raw, foul-mouthed, and deeply human.
Then came the sequels. Coming 2 America (2021) and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024). Some critics say he’s just playing the hits, but honestly? Seeing him back in the Detroit Lions jacket felt right.
As of early 2026, he’s still moving. We’ve got The Pickup (starring alongside Keke Palmer) and a massive documentary project titled Being Eddie which is set to give the most intimate look at his career yet. And yeah, Shrek 5 is officially on the horizon for late 2026.
Recent and Upcoming Works
- You People (2023): He plays the skeptical father-in-law opposite Jonah Hill. Very awkward, very funny.
- Candy Cane Lane (2023): A holiday flick for Prime Video.
- Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024): The return to Netflix.
- The Pickup (Expected 2026): A heist comedy with Pete Davidson.
- Blue Falcon (Upcoming): He’s playing a retired superspy.
- George Clinton Biopic: He’s slated to play the P-Funk legend. This one could be another Oscar contender.
Navigating the Legacy
When you look at all movies with eddie murphy, you see a man who never stayed in one lane. He went from being the most dangerous man in comedy to the voice of a beloved animated character. There were some "shaky" years—everyone agrees A Thousand Words (2012) was a rough patch—but his longevity is insane.
Most people get it wrong by thinking he "fell off." He didn't fall off; he just changed. He prioritized family movies when he had a house full of kids, and now that he’s an elder statesman of comedy, he’s picking roles that celebrate the culture he helped build.
If you're looking to binge the best of the best, stick to the "Big Five": 48 Hrs., Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, and Dolemite Is My Name. That’s the core of the Murphy DNA.
Next Steps for Your Movie Night:
- Start with 48 Hrs. to see where the "buddy cop" genre actually began.
- Watch Bowfinger if you want to see him being genuinely weird and brilliant without a massive budget.
- Check out the Being Eddie documentary when it drops on Netflix to see the man behind the laugh.