It was 1988. Eddie Murphy was basically the biggest star on the planet, coming off a string of hits like Beverly Hills Cop and Raw. But then he did something that shifted the entire landscape of Black cinema and mainstream comedy. He made a movie about an African prince looking for love in Queens. Most people don't realize how risky that felt at the time. Eddie Murphy Coming to America wasn't just another funny movie; it was a massive cultural statement disguised as a fish-out-of-water rom-com.
Honestly, the movie shouldn't have worked as well as it did. You've got a plot that sounds like a fairy tale, prosthetic makeup that took hours to apply, and a leading man playing four different characters. Yet, it grossed nearly $300 million worldwide. It’s a masterpiece.
The Zamunda Effect and Why It Felt Different
When we talk about the legacy of the film, we have to talk about Zamunda. Before this, Hollywood’s depiction of Africa was... well, it was depressing. It was all poverty, famine, or "jungle" tropes. Suddenly, audiences saw a fictional nation that was wealthy, sophisticated, and regal.
Prince Akeem Joffer didn't need a green card. He didn't need a handout. He had "soul glow" and a palace. That reversal of expectations is why the movie sticks with people. It gave the Black diaspora a version of royalty that felt earned and aspirational.
Rick Baker’s Wizardry
We can't ignore the makeup. Rick Baker, the legendary effects artist, did something borderline miraculous here. It’s not just that Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall played multiple roles; it’s that you genuinely forgot it was them.
Think about Saul, the elderly Jewish man in the barbershop.
He’s one of the most quotable characters in the film.
That was Eddie.
Imagine the balls it took to sit in a makeup chair for six hours just to play a side character who argues about Rocky Marciano. That’s commitment to the craft.
The barbershop scenes are essentially a masterclass in improvisation and chemistry. Clarence, Morris, and Sweets represent a specific kind of community hub. They’re loud, they’re wrong about almost everything, and they’re incredibly endearing. Most of those lines weren't even in the original script. They just let Eddie and Arsenio riff until they hit gold.
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The Real Story Behind the Script
There's a lot of drama behind the scenes that most fans never hear about. For starters, the movie led to a massive legal battle. Humorist Art Buchwald sued Paramount Pictures, claiming they stole his idea. He actually won. It became a landmark case in Hollywood "studio accounting," exposing how studios claim a movie hasn't made a profit even when it makes hundreds of millions.
Then there was the tension on set. John Landis, the director, had worked with Eddie before on Trading Places. Back then, Eddie was the new kid. By the time they did Eddie Murphy Coming to America, Eddie was the boss. Landis reportedly struggled with that power shift. They reportedly had a huge falling out during filming, which makes the upbeat tone of the movie even more impressive. You’d never know they were clashing behind the camera.
The Casting Was Lightning in a Bottle
Look at this roster:
- James Earl Jones as King Jaffe Joffer (the only man with a voice deep enough to command a continent).
- Madge Sinclair as Queen Aoleon.
- A very young Samuel L. Jackson as the "Hold up, wait a minute" stick-up man.
- Eriq La Salle as the deeply insecure, Jerry-curl-wearing Darryl Jenks.
Darryl is the perfect antagonist because he’s not "evil" in a cartoonish way—he’s just a tool. He represents the "new money" arrogance that contrasts perfectly with Akeem’s humble "working at McDowell's" vibe. Speaking of McDowell's, the legal gag about them not being McDonald's because they have the "Golden Arcs" is still one of the smartest bits of brand satire ever written.
Why It Still Works in 2026
Comedy is usually the first genre to spoil. What’s funny in 1988 is usually cringey by 2000 and unwatchable by 2026. But this film avoids that. Why? Because it’s a character study. Akeem is a genuinely good person. He’s looking for "a woman who thinks for herself," which was a surprisingly progressive beat for a 1980s comedy.
The humor isn't mean-spirited. Even the "Sexual Chocolate" scene with Randy Watson—which is objectively ridiculous—comes from a place of love for community talent shows. We all know a Randy Watson. We’ve all seen a band that’s just a little bit off-key but believes they’re headlining Madison Square Garden.
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The Fashion and Iconography
The costume design by Deborah Nadoolman Landis was nominated for an Academy Award for a reason. The furs, the gold, the "lion" draped over the shoulder—it created a visual language for African royalty that influenced everything from music videos to Black Panther. You can see the DNA of Zamunda in the MCU.
Common Misconceptions About the Production
Some people think the movie was filmed in Africa.
Nope.
It was mostly filmed in New York and California.
The "palace" was actually a set, and the "Queens" apartment was a gritty location in Brooklyn. The contrast between the lush, golden hues of the palace and the grey, snowy streets of New York is what gives the movie its visual "pop."
Another thing: people often forget that this was Arsenio Hall’s big break. Before this, he was a stand-up and a TV personality, but his performance as Semmi—and the Reverend Brown, and the "Extremely Ugly Girl"—proved he could keep up with Eddie. That’s no small feat. Semmi is the perfect foil; he’s the one who actually wants the luxury, while the Prince wants the struggle.
The Sequel and the Legacy
In 2021, we got Coming 2 America. It was a huge hit for Amazon, but it sparked a lot of debate. Some loved the nostalgia trip, while others felt it lacked the "grit" of the original. The original movie had an R-rating for a reason—it felt lived-in. The sequel felt a bit more sanitized, a bit more like a "Legacy Sequel" designed for a PG-13 audience.
But even if you prefer the original, the fact that people were so excited for a sequel 33 years later tells you everything. You don't get that kind of longevity with a "regular" comedy. You only get it with a cultural touchstone.
How to Appreciate the Film Today
If you're going to rewatch it, pay attention to the background. The movie is packed with "Easter eggs" before that was even a term.
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- The Trading Places Crossover: Look for the scene where Akeem gives a bag of money to two homeless men. Those are the Duke brothers (Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy) from Eddie’s previous movie.
- The Barbershop Logic: Listen to the arguments in the background of the barbershop. They are debating real-world boxing stats and civil rights figures with absolute, hilarious confidence.
- The Soundtrack: The title track by The System is an absolute 80s banger that captures the era's energy perfectly.
Eddie Murphy Coming to America remains the gold standard for how to do a "fish out of water" story. It manages to be a romance, a slapstick comedy, and a social commentary all at once.
If you want to dive deeper into the history of Black cinema, start here. Look at the way the film treats its characters with dignity, even when they’re being absurd. That’s the "Eddie Murphy" magic. He didn't just want to make you laugh; he wanted to build a world you actually wanted to live in—or at least a world where you could get a Big Mick without getting sued by corporate.
To truly understand the impact, watch the documentary segments on the 30th Anniversary Blu-ray. It breaks down how Rick Baker literally changed Eddie’s bone structure with silicon and foam. It’s a testament to a time when "movie magic" meant sitting in a chair and being patient, rather than just clicking a button in a CGI suite.
The next time you see a "Soul Glow" meme or hear someone shout "Good morning, my neighbors!", remember that you’re witnessing the ripples of a film that changed the game. It’s Eddie’s crown jewel. And honestly, it’s still as shiny as it was in '88.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Students of Film
- Watch for the "Invisible" Roles: On your next viewing, try to spot every character played by Eddie and Arsenio without looking it up first. It forces you to look at their physical acting and voice modulation rather than just the makeup.
- Analyze the "Reverse" Immigrant Narrative: Use this film as a case study for how to flip tropes. Instead of the "struggling immigrant" trope, analyze how the film uses Akeem’s wealth as a comedic tool to highlight the absurdity of American life.
- Study the Makeup Evolution: Research Rick Baker’s work on this film alongside his work on The Nutty Professor. It shows the progression of prosthetic technology in the pre-CGI era.
- Support Original Voices: The Buchwald v. Paramount case is essential reading for anyone interested in the business of entertainment. It’s a reminder of why creators need to protect their intellectual property.
The film is currently available on most major streaming platforms like Paramount+ and Amazon Prime. If you haven't seen it in a few years, it’s time to head back to Queens. Just watch out for the guys at the barbershop—they’ve still got plenty to say.