Overview
A royal quest for true love unfolds amidst the vibrant chaos of New York City.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- warm
- irreverent
- date night
- lazy weekend
What critics said
Critics generally found the film charming and entertaining, especially in its performances and gentle fairy-tale premise, while finding the screenplay and romantic writing uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Prince Akeem leaves Zamunda and poses as a poor exchange student while working at a Queens fast food restaurant.
Eddie Murphy plays Akeem as well as Clarence, Randy Watson, and Saul, while Arsenio Hall also performs multiple characters.
Akeem rejects an arranged royal marriage and seeks a partner who will value him without knowing he is a prince.
Zamunda is depicted through extravagant palace ceremonies, costumes, music, and an idealized prosperous monarchy.
Films like Coming to America, and why
The Princess Diaries
fish out of water romance, broad comedy, and a wealthy protagonist hiding his identity in an unfamiliar society
Pretty Woman
romantic comedy built around class difference, mistaken assumptions, and the search for authentic love
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
warm identity-switching comedy with social satire, ensemble performances, and an outsider navigating American life
The Birdcage
fast-talking culture-clash comedy centered on romance, family expectations, and an unconventional courtship
Movie Details
- Director
- John Landis
- Release Date
- 1988-06-29
- Runtime
- 117 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (4895)
Cast
- Eddie Murphy
- Arsenio Hall
- Shari Headley
- John Amos
- James Earl Jones
- Madge Sinclair
- Eriq La Salle
- Allison Dean
- Frankie Faison
- Louie Anderson
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Peacock Premium, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, AMC, Peacock Premium Plus
- Rent
- JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Coming to America about?
- A proud Zamundan prince disguises himself as a humble Queens worker to find a partner who loves the man beneath the crown.
- What is Coming to America like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Coming to America as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Coming to America violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Coming to America as mild.
- What did critics think of Coming to America?
- Critics generally found the film charming and entertaining, especially in its performances and gentle fairy-tale premise, while finding the screenplay and romantic writing uneven.
- Which films are like Coming to America?
- Films with a similar feel include The Princess Diaries, Pretty Woman, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and The Birdcage.
- How long is Coming to America?
- Coming to America runs 117 minutes.
- Where can I watch Coming to America?
- In United States, Coming to America streams on Peacock Premium, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, AMC, Peacock Premium Plus.
