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Coming to America

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Silly, curse-happy '80s Eddie Murphy vehicle.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.

  • Violence:

    Cartoonish scuffling in several scenes.

  • Sex:

    Bare breasts are lingered upon just minutes into the movie; contact between the movie's royals and their servants is discussed explicitly.

  • Language:

    More f-words and other epithets than you can shake a stick at.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters are shown drinking cocktails and beer at a bar and at home.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Coming to America was written by Common Sense Media Editors

Parents need to know that there's plenty of foul language and some negative female stereotypes to watch out for here.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the role of women in society -- what's your view? Do you think it's something to joke about like they do here? They could also discuss the pros and cons of arranged marriages, and the way other countries view Americans.
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More on Coming to America

What’s the Story?

COMING TO AMERICA centers around pampered African Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy), heir to the throne and fabulous riches. He's reached marriageable age, and his parents have found him a suitable bride. But Akeem wants a woman who loves him for what he is, not what he has, and he travels to America with his valet Semmi (Arsenio Hall) to find his soul mate. He finds one in the person of Lisa (Shari Headley), the daughter of a Queens restaurateur whose jealous boyfriend is the scion of a chain of African-American hair products called Soul-Glo.
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Is It Any Good?

Despite some sexist and racist quirks, COMING TO AMERICA comes through as a funny trip back to the comedy stylings of 1988. Everything about the film is fairly predictable. Lisa and Akeem get together in the most standard boy-meets-girl/boy-loses-girl/boy-gets-girl-in-the-end way possible.

The movie has its moments -- Murphy and Hall play multiple roles in the movie, and certainly Murphy was in his prime. Some sexist and lurid overtones are cringe-worthy, but it's small potatoes compared to the fat-suited Murphy of today

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Movie Details

Studio: Paramount Pictures, Director: John Landis
Run time: 114 minutes
Theatrical release: 1/1/1988, DVD release: 3/9/1999
MPAA Rating: R for language and sex.

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    colt45copman
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title iffy and give it 4.0

    Funny stuff

    Funny, little known gem!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  2. Adult Reviewer
    Jackscp
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

    What do you mean `OFF`?!

    This movie is one of my favorite movies, it's harmless to younger kids. I first saw it when I was 9 (I am now 12).

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Adult Reviewer
    Directedbyjpc
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title on and give it 4.0

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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