Common Sense Media Review
By Common Sense Media
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Silly 1980s Eddie Murphy comedy; cursing, sex, misogyny.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Coming to America
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 30 kid reviews
Kids say the movie features a mix of humor and romance but is heavily marked by strong language, sexual references, and nudity, making it most suitable for mature audiences aged 13 and up. While many enjoy its comedic elements and charming storyline, several parents express concern over its appropriateness for younger viewers due to explicit content that could be unsettling for children.
- mature audiences
- strong language
- sexual references
- parental concerns
- comedic elements
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
COMING TO AMERICA centers on pampered African prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy), heir to the throne and fabulous riches. He has 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. Akeem doesn't tell Lisa who he is; he pretends to be a lowly fast-food worker. Will he be able to come clean about his identity and face his father (James Earl Jones) after running away from his responsibilities?
Is It Any Good?
Despite some sexist aspects, this film comes through as a funny trip back to the comedy stylings of 1988. Everything about Coming to America is fairly predictable, but it 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 cringeworthy, but that's small potatoes compared to the fat-suited Murphy in The Nutty Professor or Norbit. While women are often shown as sex objects or submissive servants here, the female lead is hardworking and good at her job, and she doesn't get taken in by the manipulative behavior of the men around her. Akeem's mother, the queen (Madge Sinclair), doesn't stand idly by when her husband makes bad decisions. Akeem wants to learn how to be responsible for himself. Black characters run countries and own businesses. And, in some of the funniest scenes in the movie, Murphy and Hall parody aspects of African American culture, including barber shops and religious functions.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the role of women in Coming to America. How does it differ from the role of male characters? Do you think gender-based humor, the way it's used in this film, is fair game?
How does the movie explore the idea of making your own way in the world without relying on others? How do Akeem, Lisa, and Cleo make this choice in the movie?
What aspects of the movie have held up, and what seems dated?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 1, 1988
- On DVD or streaming : March 9, 1999
- Cast : Arsenio Hall , Eddie Murphy , James Earl Jones
- Director : John Landis
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Indigenous Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 114 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and sex.
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Winner
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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