Rotten Tomatoes has done the hard work and rounded up his top 18, a collection that's got everything from laugh-out-loud comedies to those movies where Murphy does more than just crack jokes.
1. "Dolemite Is My Name" (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Rudy Ray Moore, a struggling comedian and musician in 1970s Los Angeles, creates the outlandish character Dolemite, a pimp and kung fu fighter, and through sheer determination, produces and stars in a low-budget film that becomes a surprise blaxploitation classic, showcasing the power of perseverance and self-expression.
2. "48 HRS." (1982)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Hard-nosed cop Jack Cates partners with fast-talking convict Reggie Hammond on a 48-hour leave from prison to catch a pair of cop killers, leading to an action-packed hunt through San Francisco, punctuated by their clashing personalities and unexpected camaraderie.
3. "Shrek 2" (2004)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
Shrek and Fiona, now married, travel to the land of Far Far Away to meet Fiona's parents, unaware that her Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming are plotting to end their marriage, leading to a series of misadventures involving a potion, a giant gingerbread man, and a transformed Donkey.
4. "Shrek" (2001)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%
Shrek, a solitary ogre, has his swamp invaded by fairy tale creatures banished by the diminutive Lord Farquaad, and to reclaim his land, Shrek makes a deal with Farquaad to rescue Princess Fiona, leading to a journey that challenges fairy tale stereotypes and culminates in unexpected romance.
5. "Trading Places" (1983)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%
Louis Winthorpe III, a wealthy commodities broker, and Billy Ray Valentine, a poor street hustler, have their lives switched by two callous millionaires as an experiment, leading to a reversal of fortunes and a scheme to get revenge by disrupting the orange juice market.
6. "Mulan" (1998)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%
Mulan, a young Chinese woman, disguises herself as a man to take her ailing father's place in the army, becoming a skilled warrior and tactician under the guidance of Captain Li Shang, and plays a crucial role in defending China against the Huns.
7. "Beverly Hills Cop" (1984)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
Axel Foley, a street-smart Detroit cop, goes to Beverly Hills to investigate the murder of his best friend and uncovers a massive art smuggling operation, using his unorthodox methods and charm to solve the case while clashing with the local police department.
8. "Bowfinger" (1999)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%
Bobby Bowfinger, a down-and-out Hollywood producer, attempts to make a sci-fi film with a major star, Kit Ramsey, who is unaware he's in the movie; utilizing candid footage and a look-alike, Bowfinger creates a comical and chaotic film production that blurs the lines between reality and cinema.
9. "Dreamgirls" (2006)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 79%
Set in the 1960s, this musical drama follows the rise of a girl group, The Dreamettes, discovering the challenges of fame and fortune in the music industry, as they deal with behind-the-scenes drama, personal conflicts, and the evolving American music scene.
10. "Coming to America" (1988)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 73%
Prince Akeem Joffer, the crown prince of the wealthy African nation of Zamunda, rebels against an arranged marriage set by his father, King Jaffe Joffer. Seeking an independent life and a wife who will love him for who he is rather than his royal status, Akeem, along with his loyal confidant Semmi, travels incognito to Queens, New York.
11. "Tower Heist" (2011)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%
Employees of a luxury condominium in New York, led by building manager Josh Kovaks, plan a heist to reclaim their pensions after discovering they've been defrauded by the wealthy businessman and resident Arthur Shaw, leading to an elaborate and comedic robbery during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
12. "The Nutty Professor" (1996)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 64%
Overweight and ridiculed Professor Sherman Klump invents a miracle weight-loss potion, transforming himself into the slim, but obnoxious, alter ego Buddy Love, leading to a battle for control over his identity and affections of his colleague, Carla Purty.
13. "Shrek Forever After" (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 57%
In this final installment, Shrek, feeling overwhelmed by family life, is tricked into signing a pact with Rumpelstiltskin, altering reality to a world where he never existed, and he must restore his world, rediscover his true love, and reclaim his life.
14. "Life" (1999)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 52%
Set in the 1930s, two New Yorkers, Ray Gibson and Claude Banks, are wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to life in a Mississippi prison, where they form a deep friendship over the years, filled with humor and heartache, as they dream of reclaiming their freedom.
15. "Coming 2 America" (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 49%
Prince Akeem, now King of Zamunda, discovers he has a long-lost son in America and returns to New York to connect with his street-savvy Queens-native heir, leading to a culture clash and humorous family reunions as Akeem prepares his son to become a prince.
16. "Boomerang" (1992)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 48%
Marcus Graham, a successful and womanizing ad executive, meets his match in his new boss, Jacqueline, who treats him the same way he treats his conquests, leading to a role reversal and self-reflection as Marcus navigates love, career challenges, and the complexities of modern relationships.
17. "Beverly Hills Cop II" (1987)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 46%
Axel Foley returns to Beverly Hills to help his police friends investigate the 'Alphabet Crimes,' a series of high-end store robberies, leading to a fast-paced and action-packed pursuit of a criminal mastermind with ties to a weapons smuggling ring.
18. "Dr. Dolittle" (1998)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 42%
Dr. John Dolittle, a successful but unhappy veterinarian, discovers he can talk to animals, leading to comedic and heartwarming adventures as he reconnects with his childhood gift, turning his life upside down and revitalizing his career and family life.