Image credit: Walt Disney Studios, SPE, Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Freestyle Releasing
Each of these movies is proof enough that Murphy's got a truly incredible range. Sadly, his movies often don't get the spotlight they deserve.
1. "Metro" (1997) "Metro" is an action-comedy starring Eddie Murphy as Scott Roper, a fast-talking, quick-thinking hostage negotiator. When a psychotic thief named Michael Korda (played by Michael Wincott) turns a failed heist into a hostage situation, it's up to Roper to defuse it. However, things get personal when Korda makes it his mission to target Roper and his loved ones.
After a bank heist goes wrong, Korda kidnaps Roper's girlfriend, adding a personal vendetta to the mix, and it's up to Roper to use his negotiation skills and street smarts to outwit Korda.
2. "The Distinguished Gentleman" (1992) In "The Distinguished Gentleman," Eddie Murphy stars as Thomas Jefferson Johnson, a small-time con artist with a big plan. When a congressman with a similar name dies unexpectedly, Johnson seizes the opportunity, using the late congressman's reputation to win the election.
Once in Washington, D.C., he initially continues his conning ways, immersing himself in the world of lobbyists and kickbacks. However, as he learns more about the political world and the impact of legislation, Johnson starts reevaluating his approach.
3. "Holy Man" (1998) "Holy Man" introduces us to G (Eddie Murphy), a mysterious, philosophical man who wanders into the life of TV shopping network executive Ricky Hayman (Jeff Goldblum) and his colleague, Kate Newell (Kelly Preston).
In a desperate attempt to boost ratings, Ricky puts G on air, where his unorthodox yet sincere philosophies and eccentricities unexpectedly resonate with the audience, skyrocketing the channel's popularity.
4. "Life" (1999) In "Life," Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence play Ray Gibson and Claude Banks, two New Yorkers who, in 1932, find themselves in a sticky situation after a series of mishaps. Ray, a small-time con man, and Claude, a bank teller with dreams of owning his own club, are both trying to make a quick buck.
Their paths cross when they both owe money to a nightclub owner. Sent on a bootlegging mission to Mississippi, things go south when they are framed for the murder of the club owner they're indebted to.
5. "Boomerang" (1992) In "Boomerang," Eddie Murphy's character, Marcus Graham, is a successful advertising executive and a notorious ladies' man. His life takes a turn when he meets his new boss, Jacqueline Broyer, played by Robin Givens. Marcus, accustomed to being the one in control in his relationships, finds the tables turned as Jacqueline treats him the same way he treats his conquests.
This twist leads Marcus to a series of self-realizations about his attitude towards women and relationships, as he begins to develop feelings for Angela Lewis (Halle Berry), a colleague who is the antithesis of Jacqueline.
6. "Harlem Nights" (1989) Set in the 1930s, "Harlem Nights" stars Eddie Murphy as Quick, the adopted son of Sugar Ray (Richard Pryor), the owner of a popular Harlem nightclub. The club, however, is a thorn in the side of the corrupt police force and a rival gangster, Bugsy Calhoune. When Calhoune attempts to take over their operation, Sugar Ray and Quick devise a plan to strike back.
The plot revolves around their scheme to pull off a heist that targets Calhoune's illegal betting operation.
7. "Another 48 Hrs." (1990) This sequel to the hit "48 Hrs." sees the return of Eddie Murphy as Reggie Hammond and Nick Nolte as Jack Cates. This time, the odd couple is back together to take down a drug lord known as "The Iceman." Reggie, nearing the end of his prison sentence, is reluctantly pulled back into action by Jack, who needs his help to solve the case.
Going through violent confrontations and narrow escapes, Reggie and Jack's old-married-couple-like bickering is the highlight of this buddy cop movie.
8. "Vampire in Brooklyn" (1995) In this horror-comedy, Eddie Murphy plays Maximillian, the last of a dying breed of Caribbean vampires who comes to Brooklyn in search of a mate to preserve his lineage. He sets his sights on Rita Veder (Angela Bassett), a police detective with a mysterious past that makes her the perfect candidate.
As Rita grapples with her heritage and her attraction to Maximillian, he makes acquaintances with various characters in Brooklyn, including a comedic sidekick played by Kadeem Hardison.
9. "I Spy" (2002) "I Spy," a buddy spy comedy, pairs Eddie Murphy's character, Kelly Robinson, a professional boxer, with Owen Wilson's character, Alexander Scott, a spy. They are teamed up to recover a stolen stealth fighter jet. Kelly's flamboyant and arrogant personality clashes with Alex's more subdued and thoughtful approach.
The plot takes them on an international adventure full of action and espionage as they try to outwit the villainous arms dealer, played by Malcolm McDowell.
10. "Mr. Church" (2016) A departure from his typical roles, Eddie Murphy plays Mr. Church, a cook who forms a heartwarming relationship with a young girl, Charlie (Britt Robertson), and her mother Marie (Natascha McElhone), who is battling breast cancer.
Hired initially just to cook for them, Mr. Church becomes an integral part of their lives over the years.
