Da’Vine Joy Randolph might be new to some moviegoers. However, she’s been hustling in Hollywood for years, with multiple lauded roles on her resume. Randolph’s calling card as a multifaceted actress allows her to deliver amazing movie performances. She appeared in acclaimed fare like Mother of George, blockbusters like Trolls World Tour and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and cult films like Office Christmas Party. 

Since making her Hollywood breakthrough, The Kajillionaire star has enthralled audiences with her versatility, culminating in her Best Supporting Actress Oscar for the Christmas comedy/drama The Holdovers. Her Holdovers role hasn’t been the only outstanding Oscar-worthy performance the newly minted Oscar winner has delivered. So, here are just a few Da’Vine Joy Randolph performances worthy of an Academy Award.

Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

Da’Vine Joy Randolph finally caught Hollywood’s attention in the acclaimed comedy biopic, Dolemite is My Name. She garnered praise for playing Rudy Ray Moore's (Eddie Murphy) co-star and singer, actress Lady Reed.

The thespian drew inspiration from her real-life counterpart Nancy “Lady” Reed, while taking liberties with her portrayal. Capturing Reed’s off and onscreen struggles allowed Randolph to showcase the actress’s relationship with Moore and the seminal titular film's production. She took what could’ve been a one-dimensional performance and provided nuance as a tribute to the real-life woman.

Since the behind-the-scenes comedy centered on Moore and his movie, Randolph spent her best moments with Murphy, who taught her about professionalism on set. The chemistry carried over to co-stars like Wesley Snipes, Keegan-Michael Key, Tituss Burgess, and Mike Epps. The cast and film received critical acclaim and recognition, with the The Lost City star being singled out for her performance. She garnered a Best Supporting Actress nomination from the NAACP. Unfortunately, the nominations and acclaim didn’t translate into a well-deserved Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination.

You can watch the must-watch comedy biopic through a Netflix subscription.

The United States Vs. Billie Holiday (2020)

The actress took on another real-life character in the musical biopic The United States vs. Billie Holiday. Randolph was essential in Billie Holiday’s life (Andra Day) as the late singer’s confidant and hairstylist, Roslyn.

The rising Hollywood star made the character hers by serving as the voice of reason to Holiday in a substantial supporting role. She showed the composite character's layers while having her remain a grounding force in Holiday’s turbulent life, and expanded a typical one-dimensional role by bearing witness to the effects of Holiday’s manipulative relationships, addiction, and fame. This dynamic leads to some impressive scenes between Randolph and Day.

Along with her impeccable chemistry with Day, Randolph shared some great scenes with co-stars like Miss Lawrence, Tyler James Williams, and Trevante Rhodes. While the biopic received mixed reviews, it became a streaming hit, with the cast receiving praise. Day scored a Best Actress Oscar nomination as Holiday, but Randolph failed to secure a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination.

Watch Randolph’s performance by streaming the musical biopic with a Hulu subscription.

Rustin (2023)

She kept her biopic streak going by appearing in the acclaimed Netflix hit, Rustin. Randolph tapped into her musical background by channeling gospel music icon and activist Mahalia Jackson.

The Office Christmas Party star allowed her performance to bridge reality and fiction by drawing inspiration from Jackson. Despite appearing in the film’s third act, Randolph played a small but powerful supporting role. She was pivotal in scenes between Bayard Rustin (played by Colman Domingo) and Martin Luther King (played by Aml Ameen).

Only interacting with Domingo and Ameen proved crucial in the film’s March on Washington story. While the biopic received mixed reviews, it became a streaming success, with the cast receiving praise, especially Randolph and Domingo. Domingo garnered his first Best Actor Oscar nomination as Rustin, but Randolph failed to secure an Oscar nod.

Watch Randolph take on Jackson by streaming the civil rights biopic with your Netflix subscription.

On The Come Up (2022)

The star took on the underground battle rap scene in the coming-of-age drama, On the Come Up. Randolph became a hip-hop savant as Pooh, the manager and aunt of the main protagonist, Bri (played by newcomer Jamila C. Gray).

Randolph drew from the movie’s best-selling namesake to breath life into her character. Bringing Pooh to the screen allowed the actress to act as a mother figure supporting her niece’s rap dreams. She became a mentor in building Bri’s confidence and lyricism. Helping Bri bring her dreams to fruition saw the Oscar winner tap into the character’s street edge, seen in the film’s consequential penultimate scene.

Sharing most of her scenes with Gray built a great screen partnership between the actresses. Randolph’s onscreen chemistry flowed into her scenes with Mike Epps and Sanaa Lathan. The streaming hit garnered praise, especially for the cast’s performances. Unfortunately, the acclaim didn’t translate to any nominations for the Dolemite Is My Name star.

You can watch the hip-hop coming-of-age story by streaming it with a Paramount+ subscription.

The Last Shift (2020)

Da’Vine Joy Randolph delved into the comedy genre with 2020’s The Last Shift. The star played manager and confidant Shazz to leading man Richard Jenkins’ Stanley.

The versatile actress worked with workplace tropes while applying a sense of humanity to the mundane subject matter. Randolph skillfully balanced comedy and drama while helping to align the character’s narrative with Stanley’s. She became the sarcastic and relatable fast-food manager.

She was a great scene partner to Jenkins and Shane Paul McGhee as the former finished his last shift. While the film received a mixed reception, she and her cast received recognition. However, Randolph didn’t secure an Oscar nomination for the comedy.

Stream the unlikely buddy comedy on platforms like Hulu or with an Amazon Prime Video subscription.

The above performances display how dynamic and versatile Da’Vine Joy Randolph is in delivering roles worthy of an Academy Award. Since she is early in her career, she has years of more Oscar-worthy performances in her arsenal. 

After winning her Academy Award, she has multiple film projects lined up, including comedies Bride Hard and Eternity, thriller Shadow Force, and a mysterious Pharrell Williams-inspired musical. Maybe one of those films will see her step on the Oscar stage again. Unfortunately, the multi-hyphenate has no movies coming to theaters or streaming this year. However, there are multiple other projects on the 2024 movie schedule.

When all-time great movie stars are discussed, Eddie Murphy should really be in the conversation, and for good reason. The seasoned actor and comedian has headlined some of the most iconic films in the history of cinema. While he definitely knows how to hit viewers’ funny bones, he’s also been lauded for his dramatic work. It would be an understatement to say that Murphy has produced an impressive body of work throughout his illustrious career. Luckily, many of his famous movies are available to watch, and we’re going to talk about them.

48 Hrs. (1982)

While the comic was a superstar on Saturday Night Live by the time he booked his first film, 48 Hrs., he wasn’t a proven movie star. Ultimately though, he more than made his mark through his performance as Reggie Hammond in the early ‘80s buddy comedy. Walter Hill’s gritty and funny flick sees Nick Nolte play rumpled cop Jack Cates, who must team up Hammond, a witty convict, to catch a pair of criminals under the titular amount of time. This movie delivers plenty of thrills, but it also serves up a considerable amount of laughs, many of which come courtesy of the SNL vet.

Stream 48 Hrs. on Paramount+.
Stream 48 Hrs. on The Roku Channel.

Trading Places (1983)

Another one of the actor’s earliest (and funniest) features is the John Landis-directed Trading Places. This humorous tale centers on two men – one a wealthy commodities trader (Dan Aykroyd) and the other a poor con artist (Eddie Murphy). Their lives are turned upside down when, unbeknownst to them, a pair of sibling tycoons have them swap lifestyles as part of their personal game. This all amounts to a funny film that even provides a bit of commentary on capitalism and social class. And, of course, Murphy (who showed up late to set one day) is perfect, as are Jamie Lee Curtis, Denholm Elliot and the rest of the cast.

Stream Trading Places on Philo.
Rent/Buy Trading Places on Amazon Prime Video.

Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

Even if you’ve never seen Beverly Hills Cop before, chances are you’ve at least heard of this Jerry Bruckheimer-produced classic. After Sylvester Stallone walked away from the production, Martin Brest’s beloved flick thrust Eddie Murphy into the role of Axel Foley. The film centers on Foley, a Detroit native, who travels to the eponymous town to track down the man responsible for his friend’s murder and teams up with some local officers. 

Murphy is pure dynamite in this one, which is why Axel is one of cinema’s most iconic characters. This is simply one of the best buddy cop flicks ever made, as it has a strong script, an A+ cast, impressive action sequences and pitch-perfect music.

Stream Beverly Hills Cop on Paramount+.
Stream Beverly Hills Cop on Sling TV.

Eddie Murphy Raw (1987)

Though he became a movie star, the entertainer didn’t leave his stand-up comedy roots right away. In fact, several years after headlining his iconic Delirious special, the A-lister took his act to the big screen via Eddie Murphy Raw. Directed by fellow comedian, Robert Townsend, the flick sees Murphy talking about a wide array of topics, including sex, relationships, childhood growing pains and more. 

The well-reviewed production was a hit upon its release and as of this writing, is still the highest grossing stand-up comedy film of all time. It may not quite reach the comedic heights of Murphy’s 1983 set, but it’s still a good (and raunchy) time.

Stream Eddie Murphy Raw on Paramount+.
Stream Eddie Murphy Raw on Pluto TV.

Coming To America (1988)

Coming to America may be the most iconic credit that the actor has to his name, and that’s saying a lot. This riotous, highly quotable (and rewatchable) comedy reunites the leading man with director John Landis. It sees the Best Defense alum take on the role of Prince Akeem of Zamunda, who travels to New York City’s Queens to find a wife. You’d be hard pressed to find a funnier fish-out-of-water story than this one. Amid the dirty humor, there’s also a true warmth to this one, and it’s easily one of the best romantic comedies of all time.

Stream Coming to America on Paramount+.
Stream Coming to America on Pluto TV.
Stream Coming to America on Hulu.

Harlem Nights (1989)

Eddie Murphy hit a major milestone with Harlem Nights, as it's the first (and as of right now, only) movie he’s ever directed. The period dramedy, which Murphy also wrote, is about nightclub owners seeking to defend their establishment from gangsters and corrupt cops in 1930s New York. 

There’s a murderer’s row of talent on display in this one, as Murphy is joined by the likes of Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, Della Reese, Charlie Murphy, Robin Harris, Arsenio Hall and more. While not a critical or box office darling, it has arguably remained a fan favorite due to its stellar cast and humorously memorable scenes.

Stream Harlem Nights on Paramount+.
Stream Harlem Nights on Pluto TV.

Boomerang (1992)

An incredibly underrated rom-com, Boomerang is, in some ways, one of the more overlooked titles within the Oscar nominee’s massive body of work. Reginald Hudlin’s comically romantic tale has Mr. Murphy playing a successful playboy executive, who gets a taste of his own medicine after he meets his female equivalent (Robin Givens). This charming movie sports a talented supporting cast composed of Halle Berry, David Alan Grier, Martin Lawrence, Chris Rock, Grace Jones and Eartha Kitt. If you’re looking to laugh and feel a bit fuzzy inside, this is for you.

Stream Boomerang on Paramount+.
Stream Boomerang on Pluto TV.

The Nutty Professor (1996)

Another staple of Murphy’s movie resume is The Nutty Professor, which is a remake of Jerry Lewis’ 1963 film of the same name. The sci-fi tale centers on Dr. Sherman Klump, who seeks to lose weight to earn the affections of a woman (Jada Pinkett Smith). To do so, he creates a formula that helps him drop the pounds, but what he gains is an unstable alter ego named Buddy Love. 

Directed by Ace Ventura: Pet Detective’s Tom Shadyac, this is a funny movie that’s also as warm as its protagonist. It’s also an excellent showcase for Murphy, specifically his ability to effortlessly play multiple roles – sometimes in the same scene.

Stream The Nutty Professor on The Roku Channel.
Rent/Buy The Nutty Professor on Prime Video.

Mulan (1998)

Eddie Murphy more than proved himself as a voice actor through Mulan, which still stands as one of Walt Disney Pictures best features. It tells the story of a young woman (Ming-Na Wen), who disguises herself as a man and enlists amid a conscription in ancient China in place of her elderly father. Murphy plays the wise-cracking dragon, Mushu, who (unbeknownst to the ancestors) becomes Mulan’s guide. Barry Cook and Tony Bancroft’s film as a whole is wonderful, and Murphy more than excels at voicing one of the most endearing (and annoying) Disney sidekicks.

Stream Mulan on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Mulan on Prime Video.

Dr. Dolittle (1998)

Another notable remake the actor starred in is Dr. Dolittle, a reimagining of the 1967 fantasy film and a loose adaptation of the books by Hugh Lofting. This is the funny story of a successful surgeon who finds his world turned upside down after he rediscovers his ability to talk to animals. This feature from director Betty Thomas is fun to watch and is one of the best Black family films available. Come for the furry friends and funny quips, and stay for the warm story and solid performances.

Stream Dr. Dolittle with Starz.
Rent/Buy Dr. Dolittle on Prime Video.

Bowfinger (1999)

If you’re looking for a great satirical comedy, then 1999’s Bowfinger should be right up your alley. This farce comes from the humorous mind of Steve Martin, who wrote and starred in the Frank Oz-directed feature. Martin stars as a small-time film producer who attempts to make his first movie on a tight budget and with an A-list star (Eddie Murphy), without the actor knowing he’s even in it. Murphy plays a dual role here and, at times, he’s downright historical in the roles of Kit and Jiff Ramsey. All in all, this is another unappreciated gem from the comedian’s filmography.

Rent/Buy Bowfinger on Prime Video.
Buy Bowfinger on Apple TV.

Shrek (2001)

It’s fair to say that a lot of people are well aware of Eddie Murphy’s work as the loud, funny and lovable Donkey within the Shrek franchise. The star is practically a revelation in the first film, which is helmed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson. It’s a cynical and humorous fairy tale spoof about an ogre, who – in an attempt to regain control of his swamp home – makes a deal with a devious lord to rescue a princess. Of course, the reluctant hero can’t do that without the help of his furry buddy. Murphy is pitch perfect in this role, and it’s easy to see why he was cast. Overall, he makes a total ass of himself (pun intended). 

Stream Shrek on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Shrek on Prime Video.

Dreamgirls (2006)

Dreamgirls is definitely one of the marquee titles on the Daddy Day Care star’s list of credits. He played the role of James “Thunder” Early in Bill Condon’s theatrical adaptation of the 1981 Broadway play. Unsurprisingly, the music hits well, and the performances from Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, Jamie Foxx and co. are excellent. Eddie Murphy’s tremendous work as Early earned him a Golden Globe as well as an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, which was his first nod from the Academy.

Stream Dreamgirls on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy Dreamgirls on Prime Video.

Tower Heist (2011)

To be honest, Brett Ratner’s Tower Heist was a well-needed return to form for Mr. Murphy at the time it opened in theaters. He plays the role of a sharp-tongued hustler, who teams up with members of a hotel’s staff to steal back money from their corrupt bosses after losing their pensions. Murphy’s greatness in the film is one of the many reasons why you should check it out, especially since it’s very reminiscent of Beverly Hills Cop and 48 Hrs.

Buy/Rent Tower Heist on Prime Video.
Buy Tower Heist on Apple TV.

Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

The critically acclaimed Dolemite Is My Name was a passion project for Eddie Murphy, who’d long wanted to tell the true story of underground comic Rudy Ray Moore. Dolemite chronicles the late stand-up’s rise as a filmmaker and the formation of his eponymous alter ego. Murphy shines as Moore and imbues the role – and Craig Brewer’s biopic as a whole - with equal amounts of raunchiness and earnestness. This is arguably some of the best work of the actor’s career.

Stream Dolemite Is My Name on Netflix.

Needless to say, Eddie Murphy has produced some incredible work, which spans genres and mediums. It’s not hard to see why he continues to work, and he deserves to keep getting his flowers. You can also honor the man by checking out these great titles. 

Her scene-stealing performance in The Holdovers — for which she won a Golden Globe in the Best Supporting Female Actor in a Motion Picture category — has been considered a breakthrough by most critics. However, Da’Vine Joy Randolph has been stealing the show in many great movies and TV shows over the years — the best of which we have compiled below, along with a tip on where you can stream, rent, or purchase them now. The acclaimed new dramedy from Alexander Payne is where we shall start.

The Holdovers (2023)

While overseeing his boarding school campus during winter break, a curmudgeonly history teacher (Paul Giamatti) forms an unlikely bond with one of his troubled students (Dominic Sessa) in 1970s New England.

Why it is one of the best Da'Vine Joy Randolph movies: Giamatti and Sessa’s characters also become close with their school’s head cook, Mary Lamb — Randolph’s role in director Alexander Payne and writer David Hemingson’s heartwarming, hilarious coming-of-age story, The Holdovers, which is destined to become a Christmas movie classic someday.

Stream The Holdovers on Peacock.
Buy The Holdovers on Amazon.

Office Christmas Party (2016)

A struggling tech company’s last hope to land a pivotal business deal is to host a “non-denominational holiday mixer” that quickly spirals wildly out of control.

Why it is one of the best Da'Vine Joy Randolph movies: One of the first signs that Randolph was a stand-out talent was her memorable performance amid a star-studded ensemble cast as a boisterous security guard named Carla in Office Christmas Party — a fun party movie that can be enjoyed any time of the year.

Rent or buy Office Christmas Party on Amazon.

People Of Earth (2016-2017)

A skeptical journalist (Wyatt Cenac) interviewing members of an alien abductee support group becomes increasingly convinced that the members’ out-of-this-world experiences are real.

Why it is one of the best Da'Vine Joy Randolph TV shows: Following guest appearances in shows like The Good Wife and This is Us, one of Randolph’s first starring roles on a TV show was as Yvonne Watson on People of Earth — a clever sc-fi comedy from producer Conan O’Brien that was cancelled after two seasons on TBS.

Buy People Of Earth on Amazon.

Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

After making a name for himself as a comedian, middle-aged Rudy Ray Moore (Eddie Murphy) struggles to bring his raunchy stage persona to the big screen as the hero of his own action movie.

Why it is one of the best Da'Vine Joy Randolph movies: Arguably Randolph’s most famous role before starring in The Holdovers was her portrayal of Blaxploitation star Lady Reed in Dolemite is My Name — director Craig Brewer’s acclaimed dramatization of the making of the 1975 cult favorite, Dolemite.

Stream Dolemite Is My Name on Netflix.

High Fidelity (2020)

Successful, fourth-wall-breaking record store owner Rob (Zoë Kravitz) ponders the lack of success in the area of romance that she's been faced with over the years.

Why it is one of the best Da'Vine Joy Randolph TV shows: Randolph’s performance as Rob’s highly opinionated employee and friend, Cherise, is one of the most essential highlights of Hulu’s modernized, gender-swapped series adaptation of Nick Hornsby’s novel, High Fidelity, which was previously made into one of the best John Cusack movies in 2000.

Stream High Fidelity on Hulu.

Trolls World Tour (2020)

The discovery of other tribes of Trolls defined by different musical genres inspires the formation of a harmonious alliance against a domineering, hard-rocking queen. 

Why it is one of the best Da'Vine Joy Randolph movies: Years after playing Oda Mae Brown in 2012’s Ghost: The Musical earned her a Tony nomination, Randolph made her cinematic musical debut as part of the Trolls World Tour voice cast in two roles — techno music fan Bliss Marina and a sentient hot air ballon named Sheila B.

Stream Trolls World Tour on Peacock.
Rent or buy Trolls World Tour on Amazon.

Only Murders In The Building (2021-Present)

An aging TV actor (Steve Martin), a disgraced theater veteran (Martin Short), and a young artist (Selena Gomez) run into trouble with their neighbors when they collaborate on an investigative true crime podcast.

Why it is one of the best Da'Vine Joy Randolph TV shows: One of the most memorable recurring characters in the Only Murders in the Building cast is Randolph’s role as no-nonsense NYPD detective Donna Williams on one of the funniest TV shows on Hulu.

Stream Only Murders In The Building on Hulu.

The Lost City (2022)

An absent-minded romance novel cover model (Channing Tatum) sets out to prove that he can live up to the character he poses as by attempting to rescue the reclusive writer of said books (Academy Award winner Sandra Bullock) when she is kidnapped by an eccentric treasure seeker (Daniel Radcliffe).

Why it is one of the best Da'Vine Joy Randolph movies: As Beth Hatten — the supportive publicist and best friend of Bullock’s character — Randolph dominates in some of the funniest scenes from the action-packed romantic-comedy, The Lost City.

Stream The Lost City on Amazon Prime.
Stream The Lost City on Paramount+.

Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

An adventurous feline (voiced by Antonio Banderas) embarks on a dangerous journey to reach the last wishing star when he discovers that he is down to the last of his nine lives.

Why it is one of the best Da'Vine Joy Randolph movies: In Puss in Boots: The Last Wish — the acclaimed sequel to DreamWorks’ Shrek spin-off — the titular swashbuckler, after his first encounter with Death, is taken in by a cat rescue sanctuary owner named Mama Luna, who is voiced by Randolph. 

Stream Puss In Boots: The Last Wish on Netflix.
Rent or buy Puss In Boots: The Last Wish on Amazon.

Chicago Party Aunt (2021-2022)

The story of a debaucherous Illinois-based hairdresser (Superstore's Lauren Ash) and her relationship with her gay, 18-year-old nephew (Rory O’Malley).

Why it is one of the best Da'Vine Joy Randolph TV shows: Another one of Randolph’s funniest voice acting performances is in the main cast of the funny Netflix original animated comedy, Chicago Party Aunt, as hairdresser and part-time makeup artist, Tina.

Stream Chicago Party Aunt on Netflix.

Rustin (2023)

The story of Bayard Rustin (Colman Domingo) and his struggles against racism and homophobia as a Civil Rights activists in 1960s Washington.

Why it is one of the best Da'Vine Joy Randolph movies: In her second biopic made exclusively for Netflix, the powerful and inspirational Rustin, Randolph portrays real-life Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.

Stream Rustin on Netflix.

Watch Da’Vine Joy Randolph at her best (so far) in these great movies and TV shows.

One way to celebrate Black History Month is to immerse yourself into the multifaceted world of Black Cinema. These films can teach, enlighten, inspire, and reflect a country’s past and present. Streaming services, like Netflix, have made it much easier to watch films about, created by, and starring Black talent. In recent years, Netflix has been one of the leading companies producing and hosting highly acclaimed Black films, like Dolemite Is My Name, Da 5 Bloods, The Harder They Fall, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

For this list, I wanted to highlight a diverse collection of Black films and TV shows that are available on Netflix. Many of these movies and shows are ones that you’ve heard of, but a few may be new to you. Let’s look at some of the best Black-centered content on Netflix.

Da 5 Bloods (2020)

Spike Lee directed the war drama Da 5 Bloods. It is one of his most socially relevant films. Da 5 Bloods is a movie about four Black Vietnam War veterans returning to Vietnam to find the remains of one of their fallen brothers and to obtain buried gold. Da 5 Bloods’ cast includes Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and the late Chadwick Boseman.

Spike Lee has quite a few movies on Netflix worth watching during Black History Month, but I chose Da 5 Bloods to highlight because its subjects, Black soldiers, are not often seen and discussed in American cinema. We have plenty of great war epics, movies that showcase the effects of War, like PTSD, and the bonds of brotherhood films, but we rarely see these types of stories told through the eyes of Black protagonists.

Da 5 Bloods is a drama that not only gives life to these fictional characters but makes time to honor real Black historical heroes. Delroy Lindo also gives one of the best performances of 2020 in Da 5 Bloods, even if the Academy criminally ignored it, that alone makes it worth including on your Black History Month to-watch list.

Stream Da 5 Bloods on Netflix.

See You Yesterday (2019) 

See You Yesterday follows two Black teen science prodigies who discover how to time travel. They first plan to use their discovery to win a science award, but a tragedy strikes and it becomes a much bigger tool in these teens’ lives. Eden Duncan-Smith and Dante Crichlow play the main characters CJ and Sebastian. It also features Michael J. Fox in a small supporting role, which is fun casting as he was in one of the best time-traveling movies.

See You Yesterday is a powerful Black Lives Matter sci-fi drama. The focus of the film is how an unarmed young black man, CJ’s brother Calvin (Stro) is murdered. She spends the rest of the movie trying to prevent his death. The shooting of an unarmed young Black man makes See You Yesterday tragically relevant in today’s society. Through the unpredictable variables that come with time-traveling, the film is able to demonstrate the helplessness that one can feel when these stories of young Black men fatally wounded by the police continue to happen, even when variables change.

Stream See You Yesterday on Netflix.

Dolemite Is My Name (2019) 

Dolemite is My Name stars Eddie Murphy as Rudy Ray Moore. It follows Moore’s journey to make the film Dolemite and his early days as a comedian. Dolemite Is My Name’s cast also includes Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Mike Epps, Craig Robinson, Wesley Snipes, Titus Burgess, and Keegan-Michael Key.

Dolemite is My Name is the celebration of Rudy Ray Moore’s dream, and how Black culture and blaxploitation films helped give him a niche audience. In many ways, Dolemite is My Name is a film about hope and the American dream. If you continue to fight for something you want, you can achieve it. It’s also a celebration of the importance of how this Black audience allowed him to achieve fame.

Stream Dolemite is My Name on Netflix.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)

Based on August Wilson’s play of the same name, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom tells the story of real-life blues singer Ma Rainey and her band. It focuses on one day in Chicago in 1920 during a recording. Viola Davis plays the title role and Chadwick Boseman plays her band member Levee Green, who dreams of his own musical success.

The role resulted in him winning a Golden Globe award. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom deals with such issues as discrimination, black trauma, exploitation, and religion. Not only does this film offer one of Chadwick Boseman’s best performances but it also gives a little insight into Ma Rainey as the “Mother of the Blues,” and it’s a reminder of why August Wilson’s plays continue to find new life and audiences in various forms. They’re riveting and speak to the soul. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is truly a fascinating look at Black artists on many different levels (the playwright who wrote it, Ma Rainey and her band, and the actors bringing all this together).

Stream Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom on Netflix.

When They See Us (2019) 

When They See Us is a mini-series directed by Ava DuVernay. It tells the true-life story of the Central Park Five, five Black and Latino teens who were accused and tried for raping a woman in Central Park. They were later acquitted of all charges after the real rapist confessed to the crime.

When They See Us is a powerful mini-series that takes a look at how the justice system sometimes fails. It shows a very painful moment in history that should not be forgotten, but instead, act as a reminder of how the justice system needs to do everything in its power to make sure something like this never happens again. When They See Us cast includes Jharrel Jerome, Vera Farmiga, John Leguizamo, and Niecy Nash.

Stream When They See Us on Netflix.

13th (2016)

13th is a documentary by Ava DuVernay about the American prison system. It goes through the history of the prison system and how mass incarceration especially affects men of color. It’s a documentary that you need to watch for many reasons, including its critical look at the prison systems.

13th makes you take a different look at incarceration and the prison system in general. Even if you have your mind made up about prisons, this film is worth watching, especially during Black History Month, to get a different perspective and history surrounding the prison system and its relation to race.

Stream 13th on Netflix.

Canvas (2020) 

Canvas is a short animated film about an artist who stops painting because of his wife’s death. Through his granddaughter, he starts to paint again.

Canvas is one of the many great Black animated films that are perfect to watch Black History Month. Canvas is a simple concept animated very well. It’s heartwarming and visually stunning.

Stream Canvas on Netflix.

What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015) 

What Happened, Miss Simone is a biography and documentary about Nina Simone. It takes you on a journey through her life, ups, downs, and things that defined her as an artist and person.

Netflix has a lot of great documentaries on historical Black figures, but What Happened, Miss Simone is definitely one of the best. It includes videos and recordings from the legend herself, which allows Nina Simone to tell her own story. It’s a fascinating look at her life and a smart way to showcase her story.

Stream What Happened, Miss Simone on Netflix.

Self Made: Inspired By The Life Of Madam C. J. Walker (2020) 

Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker is a Netflix mini-series inspired by the life of Madam C. J. Walker. Walker is the reported first self-made female millionaire. Octavia Spencer stars as C. J Walker in Self-Made.

Netflix and the team behind Self-Made play fast and loose with actual facts for this four episode series. So it may not be the best show to watch if you want an accurate look at the life of one of the most well-known Black figures. However, the show could act as an introduction into Madam C.J Walker’s life.

Stream Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker on Netflix.

Passing (2021) 

Passing follows two Black women who grew up together but took different paths in life. Clare (Ruth Negga) chose to pass as white and live life as a white woman. Irene (Tessa Thompson) stayed true to her identity. Neither women have perfect lives but both find themselves questioning their choices after a chance encounter brings them back into each other’s orbits.

Passing is a superbly acted movie that’s also beautifully shot. It has an underlying tension that adds even more layers and depth to this movie. Passing gives you a compelling look at a time when Black people were still trying to find their home in America.

Stream Passing on Netflix.

The Harder They Fall (2021) 

The Harder They Fall cast includes Idris Elba, Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, and Regina King. It’s an American Western film with an all Black main cast — a rarity in these types of films.

It’s a film with lots of action and great performances. American Westerns have been a big part of the cinema landscape for decades. However, it’s very rare to see one starring or featuring many Black actors or actors of color. The Harder They Fall showcases the long ignored Black cowboy in an exciting and fun way. It may be one of the best modern Western films.

Stream The Harder They Fall on Netflix.

.

Rustin (2023)

Rustin is a biographical movie about Civil Rights leader Bayard Rustin. It tells the story of his impact on the 1963 March on Washington. As a gay Black man, Rustin faces plenty of prejudice and judgment, but he doesn’t let anything stop him from organizing one of the most groundbreaking marches in United States history.

Colman Domingo is breathtaking in this role, and he gives his all. Rustin is one of the best Civil Rights and biographical films, especially about an LGBTQ+ figure. More people need to watch it, as it's one of the few that highlights an important Black figure who isn’t often spoken about in the history books. This film corrects a huge oversight in historical storytelling.

Stream Rustin on Netflix.

Miss Juneteenth (2020)

Juneteenth is a holiday that has only recently begun to be recognized in pop culture. Therefore, few movies directly reference or celebrate it. Miss Juneteenth is possibly one of many to come. It’s a mother-daughter movie that showcases the relationship’s heartwarming and complicated nature.

It also feels like a coming-of-age story for mother and daughter. Miss Juneteenth was one of the most under-the-radar movies of 2020. It stars Nicole Beharie, Kendrick Sampson, and Alexis Chikaeze.

Stream Miss Juneteenth on Netflix.

A Different World (1987-1993)

A Different World is one of the quintessential Black classic TV shows. Set in the fictional historical Black college, Hillman College, the series follows a group of students dealing with life and love. The series originated as a spin-off ofThe Cosby Show. Lisa Bonet starred in the first season as her Cosby character, Denise Huxtable. However, once she left A Different World, the show focused on other key characters.

Whitley (Jasmine Guy) and Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison), especially, became A Different World’s main characters and eventual couple. The comedy aired for six seasons, and Netflix has all of them. It’s a great show to binge for hilarious characters and storylines, with some occasional more serious topics.

Stream A Different World on Netflix.

They Cloned Tyrone (2023)

This science fiction movie follows a drug dealer named Fontaine (John Boyega). He’s murdered only to reappear the next day. This sets Fontaine, Yo-Yo (Teyonah Parris), and Slick Charles (Jamie Foxx) on a quest to uncover the truth. They Cloned Tyrone is a sharp-witted movie that satirizes the American government, the Black community, and injustice.

It does this all while being a really interesting science fiction movie and thrilling entry in the clone genre. They Cloned Tyrone is funny and bold.

Stream They Cloned Tyrone on Netflix.

Black Lightning (2018-2021)

Black Lightning is a CW superhero drama based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The cast includes Cress Williams as the main character, China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams, Marvin “Krondon” Jones III, and Damon Gupton.

The hero returns from retirement to try to stop a surge of criminal activity. With shows like Supacell, Luke Cage, and Raising Dion, there are a few compelling Black superhero shows. However, there still aren’t enough, and Black Lightning is a great place to start. Make sure to check out all the Black superhero series on Netflix and beyond.

Stream Black Lightning on Netflix.

Insecure (2016-2021)

Insecure is an HBO original series by Issa Rae. It follows Issa (Issa Rae) as she tries to navigate the complications of life, growing up and relationships. It’s also a series about Black women and friendship. Molly (Yvonne Orji) and Issa’s relationship is more vital to the show than any of their romantic partners.

Insecure aired for five seasons and won many awards as well as dedicated fans. The show depicts a messy, complicated female protagonist who isn’t afraid to let her flaws show. It’s a really relatable show that women of all races and ages may connect with.

Stream Insecure on Netflix.

Simone Biles Rising (2024)

Simone Biles is one of the most well-known and popular American gymnasts. Therefore, many have wanted to hear her story. In 2024, Netflix released Simone Biles Rising, a docu-series that chronicles her journey back to the Olympics.

It’s a four-episode series that may be worth watching if you love Biles or are interested in the highs and lows of a highly profiled athlete.

Stream Simone Biles Rising on Netflix.

The Bernie Mac Show (2001-2006)

The Bernie Mac Show is one of the best Black sitcoms of the 2000s. The series follows Bernie as he and his wife become the caretakers of his sister’s three children. This hilarious show highlights Mac’s talent for comedy in a more family-friendly way.

It’s also about the journey to parenthood. The Bernie Mac Show is heartwarming and very funny. It is a great show to binge during Black History Month or any time of the year.

Stream The Bernie Mac Show on Netflix.

Martin (1992-1997)

Martin is one of the best comedies of all time. It’s ‘90s essential viewing, but also just a must-watch for those who enjoy very funny, sometimes outrageous, TV shows. The Fox series follows Martin (Martin Lawrence), his girlfriend Gina (Tichina Campbell), and their friends Cole (Carl Anthony Payne II), Tommy (Thomas Mikal Ford), and Pam (Tishina Arnold).

Martin also occasionally featured Laurence as various recurring silly characters, like Jerome and Sheneneh.

Stream Martin on Netflix.

The Six Triple Eight (2024)

Tyler Perry directs The Six Triple Eight, a war drama about an all-black, all-female battalion during World War II. The ensemble cast includes Kerry Washington, Oprah Winfrey, Dean Norris, Sam Waterston, and Ebony Obsidian.

American war movies that focus on the Black and other people of color who fought to help protect Americans are rarely seen. It’s even more rare to see women in war movies as more than just love interests. This makes The Six Triple Eight a special and rare gem.

Stream The Six Triple Eight on Netflix.

These are only a few films currently available to stream on Netflix that showcase Black talent and stories. One thing the streamer has done well in the few years is to continue to diversify its content, and appeal to many different races, genders, sexualities, and a variety of film and TV lovers. Netflix will be adding more Black stories in the coming months, so make sure to monitor Netflix new releases list for future Black films and TV shows.

Sometimes an event, a group, or person comes along with a tale so fascinating and engaging (for one reason or another) that it captivates the world. More times than not when that happens, those stories are turned into riveting movies detailing people's strengths (and weaknesses), merits, and other aspects, creating amazing cinematic experiences in the process. 

Below is a collection of more than a dozen of the best movies based on true stories and how you can watch them streaming on services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and several other popular platforms. These titles range from the best sports movies to great political dramas and everything in between.

Moneyball (Netflix)

Outmatched by the big market teams when it comes to being able to attract and pay high-profile players, Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), and his assistant Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), come up with a revolutionary system that looks at players not because of their names or previous accomplishments, but instead by their potential (and situational hitting). Based on the true story of the 2002 Oakland A’s, a team that won 20 consecutive games and punched a ticket to the postseason, Bennett Miller’s Moneyball shows what can happen when you leave conventional wisdom on the bench.

Stream Moneyball on Netflix.
Rent/Buy Moneyball on Amazon.

The Social Network (Amazon Prime)

What starts out as a response to getting dumped while attending Harvard University turns into the world’s largest (and most controversial) social media platform in this retelling of the founding of Facebook by Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg). David Fincher’s thrilling 2010 biographical drama, The Social Network, explores the formative years of Facebook, a time when the social media company and its founder’s biggest problems were those that dealt with issues over friendship and money, and not being accused of being detrimental to democracy, and society as a whole.

Stream The Social Network on Amazon Prime.
Rent/Buy The Social Network on Amazon.

Schindler's List (Showtime)

Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) goes from a shrewd factory owner living in Nazi Germany who hires Jewish workers to keep down his costs, to someone who risks everything to save the lives of his employees and their families during the horrors of the Holocaust. Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List is based on the dramatic story of a Nazi who decided to go against the grain no matter the cost, and ended up saving approximately 1,200 lives from slaughter.

Stream Schindler’s List on Showtime.
Rent/Buy Schindler’s List on Amazon.

Apollo 13 (Amazon Prime)

One year after Apollo 11 made Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins household names, three astronauts, led by Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks) try to escape the shadow of giants and make their own mark on history. The astronauts in Ron Howard’s Apollo 13 do achieve that goal, but for all the wrong reasons, after their spacecraft experiences a catastrophic failure halfway to the moon.

Stream Apollo 13 on Showtime.
Rent/Buy Apollo 13 on Amazon.

Into The Wild (Netflix)

Upon graduating college, Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) doesn’t start a family, a career, or anything like that, but instead embarks upon a solitary journey to discover freedom and himself in the great wilderness and lesser-travelled roads of the American landscape. Sean Penn’s biographical drama, Into the Wild, explores the real-life story of the self-described Alexander Supertramp and how he became one of the cult heroes of the late 20th Century.

Stream Into the Wild on Netflix.
Rent/Buy Into the Wild on Amazon.

Raging Bull (Showtime)

Boxing legend Jake LaMotta (Robert De Niro) rises through the ranks of the prizefighting world while his life at home becomes more complicated, temperamental, and violent. Martin Scorsese’s 1980 Academy Award winner Raging Bull remains one of the most beautifully shot and scripted boxing movies, even if its characters and violent outbursts are hard to stomach.

Stream Raging Bull on Showtime.
Rent/Buy Raging Bull on Amazon.

Hidden Figures (Disney+)

Three brilliant, yet unrecognized, African-American NASA mathematicians set out to prove they shouldn’t be pushed to the wayside because of their race or gender when they help send John Glenn into orbit and forever change modern history. Theodore Melfi’s 2017 motivational drama, Hidden Figures, is one of those movies with a story so good it would be easy to dismiss it as something dreamt up in Hollywood.

Stream Hidden Figures on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Hidden Figures on Amazon.

Almost Famous (Amazon Prime)

High school reporter William Miller (Patrick Fugit) goes out on the road with up-and-coming band Stillwater to write a piece for Rolling Stone magazine, only to discover a great deal about life, love, and rock and roll. Cameron Crowe’s 2000 drama, Almost Famous, which is loosely based on his own experiences as a young journalist, does have elements that haven’t aged well over the years, but it remains one of the premier coming-of-age stories of this century.

Stream Almost Famous on Amazon Prime.
Rent/Buy Almost Famous on Amazon.

Dunkirk (HBO Max)

Stranded on a French beach after a battle has gone awry, Allied soldiers are rescued by British civilians attempting to cross the English Channel before the quickly approaching German forces reach them. Christopher Nolan’s World War II epic, Dunkirk, recounts the call to action and heroism exhibited by everyday people when it was needed most during one of the most daring rescue operations in modern military history.

Stream Dunkirk on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy Dunkirk on Amazon.

A Beautiful Mind (Starz)

Accomplished mathematician John Nash (Russell Crowe) begins to lose touch with reality as the stresses in his life get the better of his fragile mental state, which is made worse by the onset of paranoid schizophrenia. One of the best Russell Crowe movies, Ron Howard’s harrowing 2001 biographical drama, A Beautiful Mind, does a tremendous job of discussing mental illness in a thoughtful way.

Stream A Beautiful Mind on Starz.
Rent/Buy A Beautiful Mind on Amazon.

Dolemite Is My Name (Netflix)

Following a chance encounter with an alcoholic hobo who can tell a mean story, struggling singer-turned-comedian Rudy Ray Moore (Eddie Murphy) adopts a raunchy on-stage persona known as Dolemite before becoming an underground celebrity. Craig Brewer’s 2019 biopic, Dolemite Is My Name, which is one of the best movies on Netflix, sees Eddie Murphy in a return to form as the blaxploitation pioneer willing to risk anything and everything to achieve fame for himself and his friends.

Stream Dolemite Is My Name on Netflix.

The Farewell (Amazon Prime)

When it’s discovered that her beloved grandmother has been diagnosed with cancer and only given a few weeks to live, Billi (Awkwafina) and her family travel to China to say their goodbyes, but under the guise that they are visiting for a wedding. Based on events in director Lulu Wang’s life, The Farewell perfectly blends comedy and drama about goodbyes, new beginnings, and family secrets.

Stream The Farewell on Amazon.
Rent/Buy The Farewell on Amazon.

Boys Don't Cry (Hulu)

After fleeing his hometown after being threatened with exposure, transgender man Brandon Teena (Hilary Swank) escapes to rural Nebraska in hopes of finding a better life, but only finds more fear and hate from the locals. Based on the true and heartbreaking story of a young man trying to find his way, Kimberly Price’s Boys Don’t Cry is just as meaningful now as it was upon release more than 20 years ago.

Stream Boys Don’t Cry on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Boys Don’t Cry on Amazon.

The Disaster Artist (Netflix)

Tommy Wiseau (James Franco) and Greg Sestero (Dave Franco) set out to prove Hollywood (and the world) wrong by creating a one-of-a-kind drama, one that ends up making the mysterious filmmaker more infamous than famous. James Franco’s hilarious yet extremely heartfelt 2017 biopic, The Disaster Artist, shares all of the details concerning The Room and how it became the ultimate cult film of the 21st Century.

Stream The Disaster Artist on Netflix.
Rent/Buy The Disaster Artist on Amazon.

All The President's Men (HBO Max)

Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) and Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) break the biggest presidential scandal of the 20th Century when they uncover details of the infamous break-in at the Watergate Hotel and Richard Nixon’s involvement. Released not even two years after Nixon’s August 1974 resignation, Alan J. Pakula’s All The President’s Men remains one of the most important films about journalism of all time.

Stream All the President’s Men on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy All the President’s Men on Amazon.

Fruitvale Station (Netflix)

Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan) sets off to ring in the new year with his family in the San Francisco Bay area only to find himself caught in a tense situation on public transit. The heartbreaking story of the death of Oscar Grant is told in swift yet moving fashion in Ryan Coogler’s directorial debut, Fruitvale Station.

Stream Fruitvale Station on Netflix.
Rent/Buy Fruitvale Station on Amazon.

Zodiac (Paramount+)

A police detective, reporter, and political cartoonist embark upon their own personal journeys while trying to identity and catch the sadistic Zodiac Killer. David Fincher’s 2007 drama, Zodiac, explores how the infamous serial killer impacted not only the lives of those he injured and killed but also those who gave up everything to find justice for his victims.

Stream Zodiac on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy Zodiac on Amazon.

The Big Sick (Amazon Prime)

Kumail Nanjiani (playing a fictionalized version of himself) and Emily Gardner’s (Zoe Kazan) budding relationship is put to the ultimate test when Emily falls into a coma after contracting a mysterious illness. One of the best movies on Amazon, Michael Showalter’s The Big Sick is based on the actual start of Nanjiani and Emily Gordon’s relationship and how they stuck with it despite cultural differences and the drama brought on by the medical nightmare.

Stream The Big Sick on Amazon.

This is just barely scratching the surface of all the great movies based on true stories. With titles being added to streaming services everyday, expect to see numerous additions to this list in the very near future.

I feel like to only watch a comedy or a drama, you have to be in a certain kind of mood. But, sometimes, I want a good mix of both. That’s why Hollywood has given us the dramedy, a mix of both comedy and drama in a movie or TV show. And, while we already did the best dramedy TV shows on Netflix to watch, today, we’re looking at movies. 

If you're looking for the best dramedy movies to watch on Netflix, check out these great picks that the streaming platform has to offer. 

The Laundromat

The Netflix original, The Laundromat, follows the vacationing Ellen Martin, who begins investigating a fake insurance policy, only to be consumed by the case; soon discovering a rabbit hole of questionable dealings that have been traced all the way back to a Panama City law firm. 

If you wanted something that’s full of stars and amazing talent, look no further than The Laundromat. I’m not joking when I say this film is packed with stars, such as Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, Antonio Banderas, Jeffrey Wright - it just keeps getting better and better. When I look at these names, I often don’t associate them with comedy, but The Laundromat uses these talented actors well and creates an interesting film that’s actually based on the real-life Panama Papers scandal. 

Stream The Laundromat on Netflix. 

Horse Girl 

In another Netflix original, Horse Girl, starring Alison Brie, is about a shy and isolated young woman who has a fondness for arts and crafts, horses, and supernatural crime. But, when her lucid dreaming ends up finding a way into her real life, it changes everything. 

I know from the premise this sounds absolutely bonkers and, I’ll be honest, it is, but in the best way. While I don’t think it’s one of Alison Brie’s best roles, I do think she did a great job as Sarah, the main character, creating an interesting and complex character with funny moments that have deeper meanings far beyond just laughs. 

Stream Horse Girl on Netflix. 

Lady Bird 

Next up, we have Lady Bird. This Academy Award-nominated film tells the story of a high school senior from 2002-2003, and the strained relationship that she has with her mother. 

Starring the talented Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird is the perfect example of what a dramedy should be. The comedic moments are hilarious as heck, mixed in with some great timing from both Ronan and her castmates. But, the dramatic moments are just as good. The chemistry that Ronan has with her mother, played by Laurie Metcalf, is unbeatable, and their scenes feel authentic and real, like a true mother and daughter fighting. It’s such a great coming of age story, one that everyone should watch. 

Stream Lady Bird on Netflix. 

Fatherhood

This dramedy stars Kevin Hart, and Fatherhood tells the story of a new father who is struggling to raise his daughter after the sudden death of his wife.

Look, it’s Kevin freaking Hart. The man has proved himself to be hilarious with his movies, tours, and everything else combined. You know watching Fatherhood that you’re going to laugh many times. But, the movie really tests Hart’s acting ability and shows that he’s not just a comedic actor. The idea of raising your child all alone after the death of your partner is a serious topic, and he performs it very well, in both the comedic and the dramatic moments. Honestly, it’s one of Kevin Hart's best roles so far, in my opinion.

Stream Fatherhood on Netflix. 

Moxie!

Hands down, Moxie! is one of my favorite Netflix originals. This comedy-drama follows Vivian, a high school student who anonymously starts a zine to empower young women at her school, fighting issues such as bullying, sexual harassment, and rape. 

Amy Poehler directed Moxie!, and honestly, she did a fantastic job. The Moxie! cast is superb, and the story is filled with hilarious moments, but it knows when to talk about serious topics. There are instances where you’ll be holding your side from laughing so much, but the movie pairs these moments so well with scenes of empowerment, and of young women fighting for a better day, despite so many things blocking their way. 

Stream Moxie! on Netflix. 

Uncut Gems

While it’s considered a crime thriller, I’d also fight and say that Uncut Gems is a comedy-drama as well. In Uncut Gems, Adam Sandler stars as a Jewish American jeweler who's a gambling addict and works in NYC’s Diamond District, and now he must retrieve an expensive gem he purchased to pay off his debts. 

Listen to me - there are some major funny moments in this film. I mean, Adam Sandler stars in it, so you know there will be instances where you’ll laugh or snicker. However, I will still consider it a sin that Adam Sandler wasn’t at the very least Oscar-nominated for his performance in Uncut Gems, because he was fantastic. From his funny moments to his moments of fear, until the very end, Uncut Gems is a wild ride that most will enjoy, even if it is a bit artier than most of the films on this list. 

Stream Uncut Gems on Netflix. 

Kodachrome

Back to a Netflix original, Kodachrome follows a father and a son, and the father’s nurse, as they travel across the country to develop photographs at Kodak’s last Kodachrome lab, before the older man dies from a terminal illness. 

I have to admit, Kodachrome was a film I had no idea existed for some time, but after watching it, I can’t urge you more to see it. The cast is fantastic, with Ted Lasso’s Jason Sudeikis as the lead, followed by WandaVision’s Elizabeth Olsen, and The Last Full Measure’s Ed Harris. The story is heartfelt, with plenty of subtle funny moments mixed in with a great story about a father and son trying to reconnect after so long. The movie will go by so quickly you won’t even realize it’s over. Be sure to check it out. Definitely one of the best movies on Netflix.

Stream Kodachrome on Netflix. 

The Edge Of Seventeen

Oh, The Edge of Seventeen is definitely one of my favorites. In this coming-of-age comedy-drama, Hailee Steinfeld stars as Nadine, a socially awkward teen who is planning on committing suicide, because of bad relationships with not only her family, but her friends, after instances in her life. 

Let me just say that Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson are an absolute delight to watch in this film. Their interactions as Nadine and her teacher are some of the best, and will not only make you laugh but warm your heart. Everyone in The Edge of Seventeen is so good, and it really captures those awkward high school years where you don’t feel like you’re the best, and want to try and improve yourself. Nadine is the perfect example of what it’s like, from the beginning to the end. 

Stream The Edge of Seventeen on Netflix. 

The Disaster Artist

You know a film is so bad it’s good when it gets another film based on it. The Disaster Artist chronicles the story of the unlikely friendship between Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero, which culminated in the The Room, considered one of the worst movies ever made. 

I have to say, watching James and Dave Franco act together is something I didn’t know I needed more of, because they’re so funny and have such great chemistry as Tommy and Greg.  James Franco captures Tommy’s strange and mysterious aura perfectly, while Dave makes for an excellent Greg, who retells the story that led to one of the biggest bombs in movie history. Plus, the rest of the cast is fantastic as well, including stars like Seth Rogen, Alison Brie, Josh Hutcherson, and more. 

Stream The Disaster Artist on Netflix. 

Dolemite Is My Name

The last Netflix original on here, Dolemite Is My Name tells the story of real-life filmmaker, Rudy Ray Moore, who is known for playing the character Dolemite in his stand-up and in his series of blaxploitation films. 

Dolemite Is My Name reminded me of just how talented an actor Eddie Murphy is. While he has some hilarious moments in this dramedy, his dramatic moments stand out even more. I personally believe it was one of the best roles of his career so far, and Murphy so deserved an Academy Award nomination. The rest of the cast is wonderful as well, including Keegan-Michael Key, Craig Robinson, Tituss Burgess, and more. 

Stream Dolemite Is My Name on Netflix. 

Don Jon

Lastly, we take a look at Don Jon. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, this comedy drama tells the story of Don Jon, a New Jersey guy who has far too high expectations of sex from watching porn, and works to find happiness and intimacy with his potential true love. 

Don Jon's story is certainly teetering on romantic comedy sometimes, rather than dramatic comedy, but it’s still enjoyable, nonetheless. Gordon-Levitt has great chemistry with Scarlett Johansson, as well as Julianne Moore, the two main love interests in Don Jon. The character development feels real, as strange as some of the relationships may be. I think if you’re looking for something with a little more “spice” than just the normal dramedy, check out Don Jon. 

Stream Don Jon on Netflix. 

With so many great choices, it might be almost impossible to pick out which one to watch next, but whatever the pick, it’ll be entertaining. If I could just get a Lady Bird 2, I think all my dreams might come true. 

When it comes to comedy legends, there are many you can think of right on the spot. People like Robin Williams or Adam Sandler are always on those lists. But with me, my thing has always been the comedy legends of today, the ones that have been up and coming for years and have really established themselves as some of the funniest guys or girls out there. One of those legends for me is Keegan-Michael Key.

From his time on Key and Peele to some of his more recent escapades into musicals and comedic movies, Keegan-Michael Key has done a lot that fans enjoy. Online, there are plenty of options for people who love the comedic actor to stream, from some of his best movies on Netflix to the best movies on Amazon Prime. Here’s what to watch if you love the Key and Peele star.

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (Netflix)

First up on our list, let’s take a look at, in my eyes, the perfect Christmas story. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey tells the story of an amazing toymaker who loses his spark to create when he grows older, and how his granddaughter comes into his life, helping with a magical invention that could change their lives forever.

Let’s start out with the music – oh my God. It’s some of the best music out there. Truly, the lyrics, along with the beats, to these songs will be stuck in your head, even if it’s not Christmas time. Keegan-Michael Key portrays the villain in this, which is honestly a wonderful change of pace from his usual roles in comedies and even has an awesome villain song that you can bop your head to. Even if it’s not Christmas time, this movie is worth the watch.

Stream Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey on Netflix.

Toy Story 4 (Disney+)

When the announcement of a fourth Toy Story came out, I was a bit concerned due to the fact that I believed Toy Story 3 was the perfect ending to the Toy Story franchise. However, there was no reason to doubt Toy Story 4, as it was a wonderful add-on to the classic story of toys, where we follow Woody, Buzz, and the gang with their new kid, Bonnie, on a story of belonging and acceptance.

Toy Story 4 also took the chance to introduce some awesome new characters – one of them being Ducky, voiced by Keegan-Michael Key, alongside his buddy, Bunny, voiced by Jordan Peele. You can already see where this is going. These two were amazing in the roles they were given, from their awesome chemistry to their scenes with Buzz - even the schemes that they came up with were some of the funniest parts of the film. Truly an outstanding duo.

Stream Toy Story 4 on Disney+.

Saturday Night Light (Hulu)

Saturday Night Live has had some awesome guests in their more than 45-year run, with some amazing cast members that have come from it, like comedy legend Eddie Murphy, or more recent cast members like Amy Poehler. However, did you know that Keegan-Michael Key has only ever hosted one episode of Saturday Night Live?

With someone who is spectacular in sketch comedy, you’d think Key would get on there more, but even so, with the recent episode he did on the popular primetime sketch show, he rocked the house. From great skits like a parody of The Last Dance to him beating up a puppet with Kenan Thompson, you’ll be holding your side from laughing too hard watching this episode.

Stream Key’s Saturday Night Live episode on Hulu.

The Prom (Netflix)

I’m starting to see a trend now with Keegan-Michael Key – musicals are something he really seems to enjoy doing, and it shows with The Prom. In this Ryan Murphy-directed musical, based on the Broadway musical of the same name, we see two young women fight for justice for the right to go to prom together as a couple, along with some famous friends to help along the way.

As the principal of James Madison High School, Keegan-Michael Key does a fantastic job in his role. From the musical numbers he’s in, like “It’s Not About Me,” to the chemistry he has with his costars such as the impeccable Meryl Streep or Nicole Kidman, he dances his way into stardom. Who would have thought a principal would have this much skill to get down on the dance floor? Well, if it’s Keegan-Michael Key, you better believe it.

Stream The Prom on Netflix.

Friends From College (Netflix)

But just because Keegan-Michael Key has done some awesome films, that doesn’t mean that he hasn’t been in some really funny TV shows. Friends From College stars Key, alongside costars Fred Savage, Cobie Smulders, and more, telling the story of a close-knit group of friends from Harvard who are all in their 40s and are trying to navigate their lives in NYC – with a side of cheating as well.

The original series on Netflix ran for two seasons, but in those two seasons, we got to see a new part of Keegan-Michael Key that we don’t necessarily get to see that often. Mixed in with his common and hilarious comedic antics, Keegan-Michael Key really gets to show off his talent as a dramatic actor as well, displaying real-world situations accurately, such as the affair that he’s having, and the butterfly effect it has. It’s a great change of pace from his normal roles – and a welcome one at that.

Stream Friends From College on Netflix.

Dolemite Is My Name (Netflix)

If we want to talk about a big switch from his usual roles, look no further than Dolemite Is My Name, an original Netflix film that Keegan-Michael Key had a main role in. In this biographical film, Eddie Murphy stars as Rudy Ray Moore, who is known for playing the character Dolemite in his stand-up routine and blaxploitation films, starting with the titular film, Dolemite, showing the struggles of his life.

Key portrayed Jerry Jones, a screenwriter who is the complete opposite of the craziness of Rudy Ray Moore, creating a wonderful and intriguing contrast. Eddie Murphy and Keegan-Michael Key have stunning chemistry together in the scenes they are in, showing an astonishing connection between both comedy and drama. In terms of film, this is most certainly one of Key’s best to date, and I can only imagine what he’ll do going forward after an awesome movie like this one on his resume.

Stream Dolemite Is My Name on Netflix.

Rick And Morty (HBO Max)

I can’t go through a Keegan-Michael Key list without mentioning his iconic character in Rick and Morty. The popular adult cartoon shows the adventures of brilliant yet cynical Rick Sanchez and his nerdy grandson Morty, coming across several different aliens and space adventures that put their lives at risk on a daily basis.

In the Season 2 episode, “A Rickle In Time,” Keegan-Michael Key guest-starred as the Fourth Dimensional Being, an alien that was eternal and someone who has to keep the timelines in check – and was completely fed up with Rick and Morty’s sh*t, and decided to lock them up for splitting the timelines. His character was so iconic that he was brought back in Season 4 of the show, nearly four years later.

Stream Key’s Rick and Morty episode on HBO Max.

Key And Peele (Hulu)

It’s the reason you’re here, aren’t you? While Keegan-Michael Key has been around for some time, what really made him pop up on the scene was the sketch show that he and his buddy, Jordan Peele, did from 2012-2015, Key and Peele.

The show ran for five seasons and had some of the best sketches out there. If you for some reason haven’t watched Key and Peele, watch it now. You won’t regret it. While it’s amazing that both of these actors have gone on to do incredible things – Jordan Peele even won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his critically acclaimed film, Get Out – it’s always fun to revisit these two at their roots and laugh my butt off. I will always remember the “Substitute Teacher.” Best skit of my life. I’m already laughing.

Stream Key and Peele on Hulu.

Hotel Transylvania 2 (Amazon Rental)

While Hotel Transylvania 2 isn’t available to stream, renting it is a must if you love Keegan-Michael Key. The sequel to the popular animated film, Hotel Transylvania, follows the story of Mavis having a half-vampire, half-human child, and Dracula, along with his buddies, are trying to find out if the young boy has any powers yet – putting him in a lot of danger and plenty of mischievous adventures.

While Keegan-Michael Key did not play Murray the Mummy in the first Hotel Transylvania movie – that was CeeLo Green – Key takes over the role with style, almost adding in a wonderful new comedic aspect to Drac’s gang. Key also continued to play Murray in the third film and will reprise his role in the upcoming fourth and final film, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, so it’s clear that Key loves the wrapped-up monsters. And honestly, you will too if animated movies are your go-to.

Rent Hotel Transylvania 2 on Amazon.

Pitch Perfect 2 (Amazon Rental)

It might be the last on this list, but it’s certainly not the least. Pitch Perfect 2, the sequel to the popular college film, Pitch Perfect, follows the Barden Bellas as they take their a cappella skills worldwide, creating a name for themselves after winning the national championship of a cappella, while also trying to maintain a normal college life.

Beca, the main character of the Pitch Perfect series, has an internship at a recording studio – and her boss is Keegan-Michael Key, who plays Sammy, a rude but very successful music producer. His scenes with Anna Kendrick are some of the best in the movie, especially when he realizes that Beca actually has talent as a record producer. Plus, Sammy’s moments with Dax, another intern, will have you laughing so hard (“Say one more hipster thing, and I’m going to shove you in your vintage bassoon case”).

Rent Pitch Perfect 2 on Amazon.

My personal favorite has always been Jingle Jangle – there’s just something about Keegan-Michael Key all dressed up in that outfit but acting as a villain that makes me snort with laughter every single time. No matter which one of these options is your go-to, you can bet that there’s plenty for you to stream. Now, all we have to do is wait for some of Keegan-Michael Key's next movies.

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Within days of its exclusive premiere on Amazon Prime Video, Coming 2 America became the most popular movie on the streaming platform that weekend. It is likely that many of the viewers who checked out the comedy sequel also made time to catch up on the original 1988 film, Coming to America, as well as a few other Eddie Murphy classics.

The Academy Award-nominated comedian, actor, and celebrated Saturday Night Live veteran actually first brought his talent for playing multiple characters to the big screen in the original royal rom-com, which he does once again in the follow-up. Of course, part of the fun of Coming 2 America is also seeing the return of supporting players like Arsenio Hall as Semmi, Shari Headley as Akeem’s bride Lisa, and, of course, the legendary James Earl Jones as Zamunda’s king, Jaffe Joffer. Yet, we should not forget the newcomers to the franchise (whom most of us were already well acquainted with) such as Jermaine Fowler, Tracy Morgan, and Leslie Jones.

I imagine there are many viewers pleasantly entertained by Coming 2 America who may want to see more from its hilarious cast or even just another funny fish-out-of-water tale. The following are 12 movies currently available on streaming that can grant those wishes, starting with the classic that began everything.

Coming To America (Amazon Prime)

Exhausted by his endless pampering and unhappy with his chosen bride, the prince of an African country journeys to the United States with his trusted servant (Hall) in search of a new perspective and, especially, true love.

Why It’s Worth Checking Out If You Like Coming 2 America: Admittedly, if you have seen Coming 2 America, you probably saw Coming to America first, but the sequel is also a good way to get you in the mood to rewatch the timeless, thoroughly hilarious, and moving love story from director John Landis.

Stream Coming to America on Amazon Prime.

Trading Places (Starz)

A pampered business investor (Dan Aykroyd) and a poor street hustler see what it is like to live at each other's end of the totem pole, not realizing that it's all part of a bet between two snobbish billionaires.

Why It’s Worth Checking Out If You Like Coming 2 America: Not only is the clever 1983 economic satire Trading Places Eddie Murphy's first collaboration with director John Landis, but it exists in the same universe as Coming to America, which boasts an epic surprise cameo by the villains Mortimer (Don Ameche) and Randolph Duke (Ralph Bellamy), and Coming 2 America, which stars Colin Jost as their descendant.

Stream Trading Places on Starz.

48 Hrs. (Amazon Prime)

In order to catch a pair of notorious killers, a hardened, bigoted San Francisco cop (Nick Nolte) enlists the help of a motormouth ex-con recently put on parole for a two-day hunt for the criminals.

Why It’s Worth Checking Out If You Like Coming 2 America: Aside from its romantic themes, Akeem and Semmi's Queens adventures essentially make Coming 2 America's predecessor a buddy movie, much like Eddie Murphy's 1982 feature-film debut, 48 Hrs., if it also had the pulse of a noirish, breakneck action thriller.

Stream 48 Hrs. on Amazon Prime.

Bowfinger (HBO Max)

Desperate to finally make a hit, a down-on-his-luck producer (Steve Martin in the title role) attempts to make the biggest action star in Hollywood the lead of his cheesy sci-fi flick without knowing that he's in it.

Why It’s Worth Checking Out If You Like Coming 2 America: Coming 2 America continues Eddie Murphy's tradition of playing multiple roles in films, the funniest of which I could find on streaming is Bowfinger - writer and star Steve Martin's criminally overlooked movie industry satire starring Murphy as both A-list actor Kit Ramsey, and his nerdy lookalike "Jif."

Stream Bowfinger on HBO Max.

Harlem Nights (Amazon Prime, Peacock)

The owner of an underground casino faces his most challenging gamble yet when rivals in the mafia and dirty cops threaten to put him out of business in 1930s New York.

Why It’s Worth Checking Out If You Like Coming 2 America: Before reuniting in Coming 2 America and a year after the original 1988 film, Eddie Murphy cast Arsenio Hall as a scene-stealing gangster who has it out for his character in Harlem Nights - the only film that Murphy's directed. He also wrote the script and shared the screen with his idol, comedian Richard Pryor.

Stream Harlem Nights on Amazon Prime or on Peacock.

Dolemite Is My Name (Netflix)

Desperate to make a name for himself, a middle-aged aspiring comedian becomes a word-of-mouth hit after developing a boisterous stage persona called Dolemite, whom he later attempts to bring to the big screen.

Why It’s Worth Checking Out If You Like Coming 2 America: Just a couple years before reuniting in the Amazon Original comedy, Eddie Murphy shared the screen with Wesley Snipes in Dolemite Is My Name - a fascinating Netflix exclusive biopic from Coming 2 America director Craig Brewer depicting the making of writer and star Rudy Ray Moore's 1975 blaxploitation hit.

Stream Dolemite Is My Name on Netflix.

Top Five (Tubi)

An actor struggling to outgrow his reputation as primarily a star of comedies (Chris Rock), and a New York Times reporter (Rosario Dawson) learn a lot about each other during a particularly revealing Q&A session.

Why It’s Worth Checking Out If You Like Coming 2 America: While Top Five puts its central focus on the blossoming relationship between Rosario Dawson and Chris Rock (who also wrote and directed the 2014 satire), it also bears a stunning ensemble cast that notably includes Coming 2 America stars Tracy Morgan and Leslie Jones in supporting roles.

Stream Top Five on Tubi.

Sorry To Bother You (Hulu)

Developing a "white voice" when speaking to customers helps a broke, black man from Oakland finally rise up in the ranks at his telemarketing firm, only to discover the disturbing dark side to his success.

Why It’s Worth Checking Out If You Like Coming 2 America: The amazing ensemble cast of Boots Riley's strikingly inventive and, at times, uncomfortably bizarre feature-film debut, Sorry to Bother You, also features Jermaine Fowler (King Akeem's previously unknown son, Lavell Junson, from Coming 2 America), whose hilariously passive aggressive argument with Lakeith Stanfield's central character absolutely steals the show at one point.

Stream Sorry to Bother You on Hulu.

Crocodile Dundee (Showtime)

An America reporter (Linda Kozlowski) travels to the Australian Outback to meet a legendary hunter (Paul Hogan), whom she invites to see what life is like in her neck of the woods in New York City.

Why It’s Worth Checking Out If You Like Coming 2 America: If you are still in the mood for another globe-spanning fish-out-of-water rom-com after Coming 2 America, the 1986 classic Crocodile Dundee is a classic example of that theme and, in many ways, also tells a story similar to the original Coming to America, but in reverse.

Stream Crocodile Dundee on Showtime.

Black Panther (Disney+)

T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) accepts the role of king and protector to his home land of Wakanda, as an assassin (Michael B. Jordan) with a shocking connection to his family emerges as a tyrannical threat to the country.

Why It’s Worth Checking Out If You Like Coming 2 America: In addition to also being about the ruler of a fictional African nation who has an awkward run-in with a long lost family member, Marvel Studios' acclaimed blockbuster Black Panther won the Academy Award for its costumes by Ruth E. Carter, who went on to develop the look of modern Zamundan fashion for Coming 2 America.

Stream Black Panther on Disney+.

The Lion King (Disney+)

Tricked by his evil uncle into believing he is the cause of his father's tragic death, a young lion prince abandons his life to become a outcast until a run-in with a childhood friend years later gives him the chance to finally fulfill his destiny as the jungle's true king.

Why It’s Worth Checking Out If You Like Coming 2 America: There are also a few thematic similarities between Coming 2 America and The Lion King (royalty, family secrets, a violent battle for the throne, etc.), but its most fascinating connection to Disney's beloved 1994 animated film is that Mufasa and Sarabi are voiced by James Earl Jones and Madge Sinclair, who also played Zamunda's king and queen in Coming to America.

Stream The Lion King on Disney+.

The Princess Diaries (Disney+)

A clumsy, unpopular high school student (Anne Hathaway) experiences a crash course in elegance and high-class status after discovering that she is heir to the throne of a European country.

Why It’s Worth Checking Out If You Like Coming 2 America: Director Garry Marshall's 2001 adaptation of Meg Cabot's novel The Princess Diaries, and even its sequel from three years later, both draw parallels to Lavell Junson's story in Coming 2 America as a young, average American who learns he is royalty and defies tradition by refusing to marry if not for true love.

Stream The Princess Diaries on Disney+.

It was not until now when I realized that Coming to America seems to have much in common with many Disney movies, not that that's a bad thing. In fact, in case Eddie Murphy needed any other ideas for another sequel after Coming 2 America, I think we have just discovered a golden opportunity for Wakanda and Zamunda to join forces in a future crossover with Black Panther. I do not care how that happens, but it needs to.

Black History Month is the perfect time to watch some of our favorite movies starring, written by, and/or directed by Black artists. I selected a range of movies starring Black actors that have one or all of these criteria: depict a Black historical event or figure, are innovative and creative, made history because of their impact, or are just fun films.

I highlighted Hidden Figures because it’s a story not often immortalized in pop culture. Hidden Figures brings the story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson to the big screen. These Black women helped NASA during the John Glenn space launch. Stories like this remind us of the bountifulness of Black History Month content.

Hidden Figures (2016)

Hidden Figures stars Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monae, and Octavia Spencer. Theodore Melfi co-wrote and directed this film, loosely based on the true-life story of the African American female mathematicians who worked at NASA during a key time in U.S. space advancement.

It’s an empowering film that highlights three women whose contributions had a huge impact on American history and stands as a moving tribute to the late Katherine Johnson. This is a great film to watch during Black History Month because it celebrates Black women and all they can achieve when given the opportunity. Hidden Figures showcases great performances by the entire cast, and it’s one of Octavia Spencer’s best performances.

Rent/buy Hidden Figures on Amazon.
Stream Hidden Figures on HBO Max.

One Night In Miami (2020)

Regina King directed One Night in Miami, a fictionalized account of a meeting between Cassius Clay (Eli Goree), Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.), and Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge) in 1964. They discuss many things, including their careers, racism in America, and their duties to help or inspire Black people during this peak time in the Civil Rights Movement.

Though fictionalized, the film presents a fascinating perspective of our important Black figures and a meeting the world would have loved to witness. Although set mainly at a hotel, the film gives a clear picture of this period and the obstacles these men faced because of their race and beliefs. Watching One Night in Miami during Black History Month may inspire you to learn more about the real men these historical figures were based on and ones like them.

Stream One Night In Miami on Prime Video.

Get Out (2017)

Get Out is a Jordan Peele contribution to the best new horror movies. It follows Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) as he spends the weekend with his girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) and her family in their neighborhood and home. Chris soon learns that this might not be the nice, liberal family that he expected.

The movie became such a huge hit because it’s a story told well that’s relatable to many. It addresses race-based issues in a way that’s easily digestible. This allows viewers to connect with the subject, even if they are not the race directly affected by the issues. Black History Month can encourage reflection on past and present problems facing Black people and the world. Additionally, Black-led horror movies continue to grow, and Get Out helped increase interest and push the genre forward.

Rent/buy Get Out on Amazon.
Stream Get Out on HBO Max.

Coming To America (1988)

Eddie Murphy stars in John Landis’ Coming to America. The film follows the Prince of Zamunda, Akeem Joffer (Eddie Murphy), as he travels from Africa to Queens, New York, to find a new bride. At 21, Akeem doesn’t feel like he’s really lived and doesn’t want to accept his arranged marriage. Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, John Amos, Madge Sinclair, and Shari Headley also have supporting roles.

Coming to America is really a showcase of Murphy and Hall’s talent as comedians. They excel at bringing these funny, entertaining, colorful characters to life. It’s one of Eddie Murphy’s best films, and one he enjoys, so it’s a fun movie to watch during Black History Month, especially if you’re a Murphy or Hall fan.

Rent/buy Coming to America on Amazon.

Soul (2020)

Soul is the story of Joe Gardner (voiced by Jamie Foxx), a middle-aged jazz singer still looking for his big break. He finally gets it, but an accident separates his soul and body. He then goes to the Great Before, where he must help a soul named 22 (Tina Fey) find its spark.

This is Pixar’s first film featuring a Black lead. Soul is not only a good film to watch for its historical significance to Black History, but it’s also a film all about appreciating all the things that life has to offer. It’s about living and loving life while you’re still alive. This is an important universal message that emotionally resonates with everyone.

Stream Soul on Disney+.
Rent/buy Soul on Amazon.

Black Panther (2018)

Black Panther is a Marvel superhero movie about T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), the king of Wakanda. Ryan Coogler directed the film, and it follows T’Challa as he faces off against his cousin, Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). The cast includes Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, and Angela Bassett.

T’Challa is one of the first mainstream superheroes of African descent. The film was the only Marvel superhero movie featuring a mainly-Black cast, until the sequel Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever. It was a huge box office success and a film that let many Black and brown children feel represented and seen as heroes in cinema. It’s also a celebration of black strength and power.

Stream Black Panther on Disney+.
Rent/buy Black Panther on Amazon.

I Am Not Your Negro (2016)

I Am Not Your Negro is a documentary film by Raoul Peck. Based on the manuscript Remember This House by James Baldwin, Samuel L. Jackson narrates this documentary that gives more insight into Baldwin’s life and struggles with racism in America. It also addresses race relations in America by discussing the assassinated civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Medgar Evers.

Peck highlights how issues faced by Baldwin, King, X, and Evers are still ones faced by Americans today, especially Black Americans. I Am Not Your Negro offers a snapshot of the Civil Rights era, while also reflecting on society, specifically America’s relationship with racism. It’s a great documentary to watch if you’re interested in James Baldwin and want to learn a little more about the challenges faced by Black Americans in the 1950s, 1960s, and today.

Stream I Am Not Your Negro on Tubi.
Rent/buy I Am Not Your Negro on Amazon.

BlacKkKlansman (2018)

BlacKkKlansman tells the story of Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), an African American police officer who infiltrates the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). He talks on the phone to David Duke (Topher Grace), the head of the KKK in Louisiana, and uses his charm to become a respected member of the organization, while his partner, Flip (Adam Driver), attends meetings and events in person pretending to be him.

Filmmaker Spike Lee has become associated with comedies and dramas that address issues of race and social justice. He is skillful at creating or highlighting iconic characters and leaving a lasting impression with his films. Lee continues this tradition with BlacKKKlansman. The film can teach about an important moment in Black History, tie it to current issues in America, and still find humor in the dark situations it addresses.

Rent/buy BlacKkKlansman on Amazon.

Moonlight (2016)

Moonlight is Barry Jenkins’ film that follows Chiron (adult version played by Trevante Rhodes) as he deals with his drug-addicted mother, figures out his sexuality, and grows up in Liberty City, Miami. The cast also includes Ashton Sanders, Jharrel Jerome, Andre Holland, Naomie Harris, Janelle Monae, and Mahershala Ali.

In 2017, Moonlight became the first film with a mainly all-Black cast and also the first LGBTQ+ film to win the Oscar for Best Picture. It’s an important coming-of-age film for Black History Month, not only because of its award wins but because it addresses masculinity and sexuality in a way that isn’t often seen in cinema, especially in films with Black leads. Moonlight is one of the best movies with LGBTQ+ representation.

Rent/buy Moonlight on Amazon.

Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

Dolemite is My Name stars Eddie Murphy as Rudy Ray Moore, a struggling comedian who creates his character, Dolemite. Rudy gains a following and fame among the nightclub scene and Black audiences. He eventually sets out to make a Dolemite movie.

Blaxploitation films were big in the '70s and an important part of Black cinema. Dolemite is My Name is another movie that pays tribute to that genre and the Black audience that gave these films and their creators power and success. The whole film is about the impact of a niche following and how it can help someone achieve success. It’s a comedy about the power of hope and dreams. It shows that nothing is impossible if you have a passion and continue to work for what you want.

Stream Dolemite is My Name on Netflix.

Fast Color (2018)

Julia Hart directed and co-wrote Fast Color, a superhero film about Ruth (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a woman heading home to her daughter and mother as she’s being chased by law enforcement and scientists who want to study her and her powers. Ruth’s seizures trigger supernatural earthquakes. Her daughter and mother also have powers: they can take apart objects without touching them and reassemble them.

More people need to watch Fast Color because it depicts a beautiful generational story of power and how it drives a family apart and together. The science fiction genre could use more Black-led movies, so this is a special entry into it. Black History Month is a good time to watch Black-led hidden gem movies.

Rent/buy Fast Color on Amazon.

Do The Right Thing (1989)

Do The Right Thing is a Spike Lee movie about one hot day in a Brooklyn neighborhood. All day, racial tensions continue to rise until a major event turns tragic. Spike Lee stars alongside Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, and Giancarlo Esposito.

This classic is one of Spike Lee’s best films. It includes a bunch of future stars, including Rosie Perez, Martin Lawrence, and Samuel L. Jackson. It uses clever writing to address topics of race that are, unfortunately, still relevant today.

Rent/buy Do the Right Thing on Amazon.

Rustin (2023)

Colman Domingo gives one of his best performances as forgotten civil rights activist Bayard Rustin. Rustin depicts his part in organizing the March on Washington in 1963. The film features fictionalized versions of several well-known activists, including Martin Luther King Jr. (Aml Ameen).

Rustin is an impactful movie that pushes an important figure in the civil rights movement into a spotlight stolen from him. It’s one of the best recent biopics, and it is one of my favorite civil rights movies. This is a perfect movie to watch during Black History Month, and on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, because it recontextualizes and brings new focus to one of the most pivotal events in Black history.

Stream Rustin on Netflix.

The Woman King (2022)

Gina Prince-Bythewood directed The Woman King, a historical adventure flick. It showcases an all-female warrior unit run by General Nanisca (Viola Davis). She must protect the kingdom and her people, as outside forces continue to try to demolish this thriving and strong empire.

The Woman King is one of the best action-adventure movies I have ever seen. It also has a lot more humanity than many. The brilliant cast, compelling story, and superb directing make it a must-watch film. The movie not receiving more Oscar nominations is one of the biggest industry injustices of 2023 and one of the biggest Oscar snubs that still makes me angry.

Stream The Woman King on Hulu.
Rent/buy The Woman King on Amazon.

Rye Lane (2023)

Rye Lane is a romantic comedy set in South London that takes place over a day. Dom (David Jonsson) and Yas (Vivian Oparah) spend the day together when she saves him some embarrassment after his ex-girlfriend brutally breaks up with him. The individuals get to know each other as they explore the city.

There are many amazing Black-led romantic movies, but Rye Lane may be my favorite. Jonsson and Oparah have intoxicating chemistry, and the movie uses one of my favorite styles of storytelling: falling in love in one day. Black History Month is about honoring the many types of excellent Black films. This includes romantic comedies.

Stream Rye Lane on Hulu.

Black Is King (2020)

Black is King is a visual companion to The Lion King: The Gift album. It’s a visual experience that uses the story of The Lion King with Beyoncé’s creative vision. She expertly creates a movie experience with music and visuals.

The film acts as a tribute to blackness while honoring diversity. It also celebrates African heritage and culture. Black is King is lyrical and visual poetry. Black History Month is not just a way to honor Black history but to celebrate Black culture, and this film very much does that.

Stream Black is King on Disney+.

Sing Sing (2023)

Colman Domingo gives another breathtaking performance in Sing Sing. The film follows a group of inmates preparing to perform an original play. The supporting cast features real-life, formerly incarcerated men. It’s based on the book The Sing Sing Follies by John H. Richardson.

The film is all about these men and their journey to use acting as an escape from the cruel reality of prison life. It’s very much a movie that highlights the impact of art. It’s one of the best movies of 2024, and it is a brilliant story that humanizes prisoners, which many movies fail to do.

Rent/buy Sing Sing on Amazon.
Stream Sing Sing on HBO Max.

The Fire Inside (2024)

Based on the boxing career of Olympian Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, The Fire Inside is an inspiring sports biopic. It showcases one girl’s drive to better herself and her family through fighting. It stars Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry.

It’s another stand-out Brian Tyree Henry performance, and it highlights why he’s criminally underrated. Destiny is also stellar as she captivates you in this role. The film isn’t just a brilliant biographical movie; it’s also a tribute to Flint, Michigan, and its resilience.

Rent/buy The Fire Inside on Amazon.
Stream The Fire Inside on MGM+.

King Richard (2021)

King Richard earned Will Smith his first Academy Award. It’s the story of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams's father, Richard Williams, and his impact on their success. It’s a loving tribute to a father, while also highlighting the Williams sisters’ early rise.

King Richard is an interesting sports biopic because of its focus on Richard, instead of the sports stars. It depicts a loving father who makes many sacrifices to help his children. However, it doesn’t show him without flaws.

Rent/buy King Richard on Amazon.

John Lewis: Good Trouble

John Lewis: Good Trouble is a documentary about civil rights activist and congressman John Lewis. The film is an introduction and tribute to this highly regarded American figure.

It’s a good documentary to watch during Black History Month (and any time of the year) to remind you of the people who fought hard to gain and uphold civil rights.

Stream John Lewis: Good Trouble on Hulu.
Rent/buy John Lewis: Good Trouble on Amazon.

Emergency (2022)

Emergency was a favorite among the CinemaBlend staff a few years ago. It made the top 10 best films of 2022. This college comedy takes a sudden turn when Black and brown male students must worry about the repercussions of calling 9-1-1 when a passed-out white woman ends up in their place.

It’s a film with a thought-provoking ending and sharp commentary on race relations in America. Though it’s not a particularly happy movie, it does showcase that tough subjects can be presented in a way that’s not always a somber package. The reality of the situation is heartbreaking but the movie is often hilarious despite the topic.

Stream Emergency on Prime Video.

Sinners (2025)

In 2026, Sinners became the most nominated film at the Oscars of all-time. An honor it earned. It’s one of the most unique and creative movies of the last decade. Sinners is a vampire story that explores topics of prejudice, family, racism, stolen culture, music, and other pivotal and culturally relevant topics in the Black community.

It’s one of the best movies of 2025 and a must-watch for horror movie fans. It also includes some of the best performances of 2025. Sinners offers a masterclass on how to create a new story that can also kill at the box office.

Stream Sinners on HBO Max.
Rent/buy Sinners on Amazon.

The Blackening (2022)

The Blackening is a horror comedy that follows a group of Black protagonists just trying not to die. It plays off stereotypes connected to Black characters in horror movies (such as always dying first). The Blackening cast includes Dewayne Perkins, Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, Jay Pharoah, and Yvonne Orji.

The film is also a movie about friendship and how that evolves and changes with age. We need more Black horror comedy movies. I am glad that The Blackening and others are helping to grow this genre.

Stream The Blackening on Netflix.
Rent/buy The Blackening on Amazon.

American Fiction (2023)

Based on Percival Everett’s Erasure, American Fiction tells a satirical story about how Black stereotypes sell. Dr. Thelonious (Jeffrey Wright), a highly intelligent professor, creates a fake identity to sell a book. His book becomes a major success because he leans into the idea of a reformed thug.

American Fiction touches on topics that many Black authors face while trying to survive and thrive in the literary industry. It also explores topics of losing yourself to appeal to the masses. The film is not only a thought-provoking movie but also very funny.

Rent/buy American Fiction on Amazon.

Uncorked (2020)

Uncorked is a Netflix original movie directed by Prentice Penny. It’s the story of a man named Elijah (Mamoudou Athie), who wants to become a master sommelier, and focuses what it takes to accomplish your dreams.

The world of sommeliers is already a topic that isn’t discussed enough outside that community. Exploring it through the lens of a Black character helps make this one of Netflix’s best movies. It’s a very entertaining film about the quest for glory.

Stream Uncorked on Netflix.

Marshall (2017)

Marshall is a biographical movie about Thurgood Marshall. He was the first African American Supreme Court Justice, and the film focuses on one of the first cases of his career. The late Chadwick Boseman stars. It’s considered one of his best performances.

There are many great Black historical figures, but not nearly enough honored, praised, and well-known. Thurgood Marshall is a person often taught about in schools, but not in much depth. Marshall offers a deeper look at him (and the law) that’s more than just a footnote in Black history celebrations.

Stream Marshall on Kanopy.
Rent/buy Marshall on Amazon.

Black History Month is only one month out of the year, but movies like Hidden Figures, Do The Right Thing, Black Panther, and all the films on this list can and should be watched any time of the year, especially as a celebration of Black artistry.

I only play roulette on occasion, but when I do, I always bet on black. And it’s all because of Wesley Snipes, who was the predominant Black action hero of the 1990s. Sure, Richard Roundtree paved the way in the ‘70s with his character Shaft, along with many other Black actors. But Wesley Snipes movies helped propel Black action flicks into the mainstream. I don’t think it’s hyperbolic to say this, but without Blade, there likely wouldn’t be a Black Panther movie.

Wesley Snipes' scenery-chewing role in Coming 2 America got me thinking about how much I love him. He made his first film appearance in the 1986 sports comedy, Wildcats, and has kept busy ever since. But, while Snipes is probably most associated with action movies, which likely earned him a spot in the middling The Expendables 3, he also has great comic timing, making him very well-rounded as an actor. So, with that out the way, what are Wesley Snipes best movies? Well, “forget what you think you know,” and check out this list!

10. Major League (Willie Mays Hayes)

Willie Mays Hayes, who can “run like Hayes” and “hit like Mayes” (or so he says) is what I was talking about earlier when I mentioned Wesley Snipes comedic chops in the intro. I mean, he would have to be funny, right? The Major League cast made this film one of the most quotable and hilarious movies of the late ‘80s, early ‘90s, and Snipes holds his own with the speedy Charlie Sheen and future 24 President, Dennis Haysbert, in this classic comedy.

That said, Wesley Snipes’ physicality also comes into play with this role. When you see him in his famous 100-yard dash scene, there’s no doubt in your mind that this man could probably run very fast. And when he’s stealing all those bases toward the end, you just accept it as a fact. Because Wesley Snipes is a beast! He just also happens to be a beast who can make you laugh.

9. White Men Can’t Jump (Sidney “Syd” Deane)

From baseball to street basketball, White Men Can’t Jump, which also stars Woody Harrelson, as Billy Hoyle, “a slow, white, geeky chump,” and Rosie Perez as Billy’s girlfriend, Gloria, was one of my favorite movies as a kid, which is funny since it sure has a lot of F-bombs in it. Wesley Snipes plays the cocksure Sidney “Syd” Deane, who is at first Billy’s rival, but then winds up being his friend and hustling with him. It’s a good time all around (much like the trio's funny 2022 Oscars moment).

Wesley Snipe’s Sidney is probably what made me love the movie, though. He brags, dances around, and is both a jerk and kind-hearted at the same time. He also shoots a mean jump shot. White Men Can’t Jump might be Harrelson’s movie, but I couldn’t see anybody else besides Wesley Snipes playing the role as his partner above the rim.

8. The Fan (Bobby Raybum)

Back to baseball! In Major League, Wesley Snipes’ character played for the failing Cleveland Indians. But in The Fan, which also stars Robert De Niro as a lunatic fan and a knife salesman (!), Snipes plays “San Francisco’s brightest star” who can really wallop the ball out of the park. If he cares to, that is. Honestly, The Fan isn’t a great movie—it’s kind of like a sport version of the somewhat gruesome Misery—but the fact that a tough guy like Wesley Snipes can play a scared baseball player worried about his kidnapped son just shows Snipes’ remarkable range.

Also, while The Fan doesn’t really rank all that highly in Tony Scott’s filmography, I do think that the film is certainly elevated quite a bit by Wesley Snipes’s performance, which is definitely the main highlight of the film.

7. New Jack City (Nino Brown)

New Jack City is kind of like if Scarface and Deep Cover starring Laurence Fishburne, had a baby. Snipes plays Nino Brown, a drug dealer on the rise during the crack epidemic. And Ice T plays an undercover detective named Scotty Appleton who infiltrates Nino’s drug ring since Nino killed his mother.

This movie is pretty much the Wesley Snipes show throughout, and all that cool arrogance that he would exhibit in White Men Can’t Jump is on full display in New Jack City, where Snipes could be both menacing and charming in the same scene. Also, Ice T’s acting isn’t really all that great in this movie, making Snipes’ performance stand out all the more so in this early ‘90s gangster epic.

6. Passenger 57 (John Cutter)

I can already picture the elevator pitch for Passenger 57. It probably went something like this: It’s like Die Hard … but on a plane! Because that pretty much sums up the plot of Passenger 57, which single-handedly made Wesley Snipes an action star overnight. Remember that “always bet on black” line I used in the intro? Yeah, that’s from this movie. But you already knew that, right? It’s pretty much this film’s most famous line of dialogue.

Here’s the thing, though. Passenger 57 could have dovetailed and been an airborne version of Under Siege. But Wesley Snipes is not the mystery that is Steven Seagal. Not by a long shot, and Snipes’ coolness lifts this film off the ground to create a badass action movie that is often quite silly, but always awesome. Between this and Money Train, I put Snipes right up there with other action stars of the ‘90s like Jackie Chan, Stallone, and Schwarzenegger. He just kicks so much ass it’s insane.

5. Jungle Fever (Flipper Purify)

Even though Spike Lee’s socially relevant movie, Jungle Fever, feels a tad dated today, Wesley Snipe’s performance as an architect who cheats on his black wife for a white woman still resonates today. It’s mostly because Wesley Snipes doesn’t mind playing a character who you dislike, as long as the performance fits the role.

Samuel L. Jackson steals the show in this movie. But Wesley Snipes proved all the way back in 1991 that he didn’t need to be shooting anybody or kicking people in the kidneys to deliver a powerhouse performance.

4. Demolition Man (Simon Phoenix)

Demolition Man is still a wild ride, even today. And oh, man! 2032 isn’t all that far away! In a future where crime has pretty much been eradicated, here comes Simon Phoenix (Snipes) cryogenically frozen and getting thawed out to wreak more havoc. Snipes really has a lot of fun in this role. And why wouldn’t he? In a society where you can get a fine for even swearing, Snipes is going to be as bad as he wants to be, and we’re all the luckier for it.

Demolition Man is an action movie at its heart—I mean, it was a Sly Stallone sci-fi vehicle after all. But it’s also surprisingly funny, and Wesley Snipes is the spark who gives this movie a great deal of its humor.

3. Dolemite Is My Name (D’Urville Martin)

Wesley Snipes has reached the age where he can play the kind of character who would scoff at the roles that he himself took on when he was younger, which is what he does in the hilarious and heartfelt Dolemite Is My Name as real life director, D’Urville Martin. Eddie Murphy’s Dolemite is outrageous in this movie, and it’s hilarious to see Snipes’ D’Urville Martin shaking his head at everything Dolemite is doing in the movie that he’s directing.

Dolemite Is My Name is a funny movie. And while Snipes’ character doesn’t really stick around for the entirety of the story, he stands out for his seriousness in an otherwise silly film.

2. To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Nermar (Noxeema Jackson)

After starring in macho movies like Demolition Man, New Jack City, and Passenger 57, the next move for Wesley Snipes was obviously to throw on a wig and dress in drag. I mean, that’s obvious, right? Because that’s just what he did in the cult classic, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. After tying for “Drag Queen of the Year” with Patrick Swayze’s character, Wesley Snipes (as the fabulous Noxeema Jackson) goes on a road trip with him (and John Leguizamo!) to a podunk area that doesn’t know what they’re in store for once these three ladies come to town.

I mean, come on now. You want to show how much of a man you are? Then dress up as a woman. I love just how much Wesley Snipes commits to this role, which never feels like a cheap shot. In fact, the film was pretty ahead of its time, making homophobia look as disgusting and wrong as it is all the way back in 1995. And at no point does Wesley Snipes not look like he’s having a good time, making it easy for the audience to have a good time with him, too. You go, girl.

1. Blade (Blade)

Wesley Snipes IS Blade. Or was Blade, anyway. Now, Mahershala Ali is going to be Blade. But for a time, you wouldn’t even imagine anybody else filling in the role of the daywalker. That’s how iconic Wesley Snipes’ performance in Blade is.

And it’s all because Wesley Snipes is the total package. He can kick butt, he can look cool doing it, and he can even crack jokes, making Blade one of the most unique and fun comic book movie series of all time. I bet you this. Once Mahershala Ali’s version of Blade is brought to life, you’re going to have plenty of Wesley Stans who are going to say that no matter how good Mahershala Ali’s performance is, it will still never match Wesley Snipes’. It will probably be like the whole Tobey Maguire is better than everybody argument when it comes to Spider-Man. But unlike with Tobey Maguire, I actually think the argument might be warranted with Wesley Snipes’ Blade. And yes, I just went there.

And that’s the list. But what’s your favorite Wesley Snipes performance? Sound off in the poll or in the comments section down below.

This poll is no longer available.

The true roots of comedy go back, practically, as far as the dawn of literature itself. Since then, numerous stars of legend, from Don Rickles to Chris Farley, have come forth to shape the modern mold of the genre. Yet, few people are credited with having as much influence over the state of comedy than Eddie Murphy.

From singled-handedly saving Saturday Night Live barely out of his teens, changing the landscape of stand-up with hit live documentaries Delirious and Raw, and exhibiting a nearly incomparable talent of playing multiple characters at once, like in The Nutty Professor, the Academy Award nominee (for 2006’s Dreamgirls) is synonymous with some of the best comedy in the last 40 years. Having recently scored his sixth Golden Globe-nomination for Netflix’s Rudy Ray Moore biopic Dolemite Is My Name and preparing the release of a sequel to his 1988 classic Coming to America, Eddie Murphy seems to be shaping up for a much anticipated comeback.

In honor of the impending “Reddiesance” (we’ll work on the name), instead of focusing on what makes Eddie Murphy a legend, why not take a dive into some of the lesser known areas of his life? These are seven fascinating bits of trivia about the inspirational comic actor.

Eddie Murphy Hosted Saturday Night Live While Still Part Of The Cast

After 35 years, and some infamous ribbing from one David Spade, Eddie Murphy returned to the show that made him a household name (in exchange for rescuing it from obscurity) in 2019 for his third time hosting Saturday Night Live. Yet, some modern audiences may not realize he already made history with his first hosting gig in 1982, during which he was still a cast member. As the story goes, Nick Nolte, Murphy's co-star from his hit film debut 48 Hrs. was slated to host that night, but fell ill, and no choice seemed better to fill in at the last minute than the show's hottest star at the time.

Eddie Murphy’s Trading Places Inspired A Real Stock Exchange Rule

A year after 48 Hrs., Eddie Murphy's winning streak continued with the film Trading Places, in which he and Dan Aykroyd's characters unwittingly become guinea pigs in a social experiment orchestrated by billionaires Randolph (Ralph Bellamy) and Mortimer Duke (Don Ameche). Among the brothers' other crooked actions in the John Landis film is the attempt to corner the stock market with insider trading, which would eventually inspire a rule banning this very action as part of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act in 2010. In reference of the 1983 comedy's most promising star, the rule was named "the Eddie Murphy Rule."

Eddie Murphy Owned A Huge Collection of Elvis Memorabilia

Of his many influences (including Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, and, the original Nutty Professor, Jerry Lewis), the one person you least expect Eddie Murphy to call his idol is Elvis Presley, although that does help explain his leather attire in Delirious and Raw. During his 2019 appearance with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, Murphy confirmed that owned one of the world's largest collections of items related to the "King of Rock 'n Roll" when he was younger. While he no longer possesses much of that collection, he still cites himself as having a hunka hunka burning love for Elvis... you know, strictly as a fan, of course.

Eddie Murphy Was Offered A Star Trek Movie Role

In that same The Tonight Show appearance, Eddie Murphy discussed turning down hits like Ghostbusters (which led to Beverly Hills Cop) and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (which led to regret). However, one potential role that he did not mention, and one of the more fascinating "what if's" of his career, was a part in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home as an astrophysicist who helps the Enterprise crew rescue a humpback whale stuck in the 1980s. Despite his admiration for the original sci-fi series, Murphy passed on the film to play the lead of 1986 fantasy comedy The Golden Child, which he would later describe to Rolling Stone as a "piece of shit."

Rick James Produced Eddie Murphy’s Biggest Hit Song

For his sole Academy Award-nominated performance in Dreamgirls, which many believe he deserved to win, Eddie Murphy played R&B musician James "Thunder" Early. While this may have seemed like a surprising turn of direction for the actor to some people, it was far from his first experience with music having released the 1985 hit single "Party All the Time," produced Rick James of "Super Freak" and, later, Chappelle's Show fame. As a singer, Murphy went on to release a total of three studio albums and even collaborate on a tracks with Michael Jackson, whose video for 1992 single "Remember the Time" also starred Murphy as an Egyptian pharaoh.

Shrek Earned Eddie Murphy The First BAFTA Nomination For A Voice Performance

Of course, how could you forget all the singing that Eddie Murphy performed as Donkey in Shrek, much to the chagrin of Mike Myers' titular ogre? The uproarious, family-friendly fantasy from Dreamworks made history for its remarkable commercial and critical success, winning the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and also earning a Murphy a nod from the British Academy of Film and Television Awards for his beloved supporting role. This was the first, and remains the only, instance of a purely vocal performance receiving a BAFTA nomination for acting.

Barack Obama Motivated Eddie Murphy To Return To Stand-Up

Fans of Eddie Murphy's stand-up comedy dating back to the early 1980s rejoiced at the announcement that he would be returning to the stage for the first time since 1987, along with the news of possible a Netflix special on the horizon. Apparently, we have Barack Obama to thank for it. While speaking to Stephen Colbert on Late Show about his his visit to the White House in 2015 after receiving the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Murphy mentioned (in his best impersonation of the former United States president) that one of the first things he asked him was, "When are you going to get back into stand-up?" leading him to eventually consider the possibility.

Be sure to check back for more information and updates on Eddie Murphy, as well as additional in-depth looks at the lives of your favorite celebrities, here on CinemaBlend.

They say comedy is rooted in tragedy. People laugh to avoid crying. While that might not always be the case, that's fitting when it comes to these peculiarly dramatic performances from comedians/comedic actors. It almost seems like a rite of passage for prominent comedians to leap into dramatic/darker material, and several have proved their chops. It might not always be the roles they're most commonly associated with, but for actors like Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems, it showcases new sides to their familiar screen presence. The results are surprising and exciting in equal measures. No joke. Here are comedians who also stood out in dramatic roles.

Adam Sandler (Uncut Gems)

While he's more commonly associated with his juvenile, boyish Happy Madison productions, including Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison, 50 First Dates, The Wedding Singer, and the Grown Ups movies, Adam Sandler has also consistently proven himself as a serious actor. Notably starting with 2003's misunderstood dark dramedy Punch-Drunk Love, which cleverly subverted and dissected the tropes of Sandler's early comedies in an artistic, challenging, yet still bleakly hilarious way, Sandler has dived into dramatic roles — to mixed results. Judd Apatow's Funny People was smartly funny and insightfully self-referential, but Reign Over Me was a middling effort prior. Men, Women & Children was a well-meaning but misbegotten flub, while The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) featured an excellent Sandler performance in this dysfunctional family dramedy.

Tom McCarthy's The Cobbler seemed like an easy winner but it tragically received some of Adam Sandler's worst reviews. But Sandler got some of his best reviews in Uncut Gems, a New York City-based crime drama-thriller following Howard Ratner (Sandler), a down-on-his-luck jewelry salesman with a gambling addiction that involves some very expensive debts and some very bad people. 

The grimy, stylistic, relentless, but appropriately addictive, character piece surprised general audiences used to seeing broader, more conventional comedies from the A-lister. Instead, Uncut Gems finds Sandler giving one of his most committed, commendably foul performances, fully embodying this scumbag with vigor and aplomb. The result is one of the actor's most audacious and daring roles, and one that hopefully proved to Sandler's biggest, most merciless critics that he has serious chops.

Kevin James (Becky)

Best known for The King of Queens and Kevin Can Wait, in addition to comedy film franchises like Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Grown Ups, Kevin James' decision to play a vicious, vindictive neo-Nazi in this year's Becky was certainly a surprising, unexpected one. If you can get past the bold, bizarre casting choice, James proves himself to be a formidable dramatic one, one who isn't afraid to play against the grain and relish his darker impulses. Characters like the aforementioned Paul Blart showcased an underlying sadness, which suggested that James had what it took to be an intriguing dramatic performer, but this bald-headed villainous brute is a stark departure from anything we've seen from him. While some dismissed it as stunt casting, James does convey genuine tension and menace through this violent, cold-blooded character.

While Kevin James' performance isn't a complete revelation, notably with a flimsy screenplay and little insight into this character's motivations, it should hopefully prove to be a stepping stone for his second chapter. Certainly, his YouTube account suggests James can't wait to try darker, more challenging material, though it's unclear if more filmmakers will allow him to do something this outlandishly against his familiar image. Notably, using his physicality not for slapstick comedy but rather to impose suspense and terror is an intriguing change-of-pace.

Eddie Murphy (Dolemite Is My Name)

Eddie Murphy needed a comeback. He impressed everyone with his sensational musical performance in 2006's Dreamgirls, nearly winning an Oscar. But then came Norbit. The ill-received studio comedy was not only a critical flop but it also supposedly killed his award chances. Murphy continued to make several ill-fated studio comedies, not of which captured Dreamgirls' radiant spark or the sharp wit of his earlier comedic work. But after an extended absence, Murphy returned with Dolemite Is My Name, a lively, heartfelt biopic dramedy/tribute to Rudy Ray Moore, best known for playing Dolemite on the stage and screen. Murphy's performance was rewardingly electrifying, feeling more alive than anything he'd done in years. It's also a role that heartily played to his strengths, capturing the humor and heartbreak of this larger-than-life personality.

Patton Oswalt (Big Fan)

Better known then for his stage work and Ratatouille, Patton Oswalt proved his acting chops with 2009's overlooked Big Fan. As a diehard football fan caught in a complicated situation when he's assaulted by his football idol, Oswalt's reverence for pop culture and fandom were put to sharp, poignant use, showcasing the complexities that come with being blindingly reverent to something — to the point where you can't look at it from an objective lens. But for many folks, they didn't realize the extent of Oswalt's acting talents until he starred in 2011's Young Adult, appearing opposite Charlize Theron, in which he gave an excellently nuanced, perspective performance.

Awkwafina (The Farewell)

As an actress, comedian, and musician, Awkwafina continues to gain notice and recognition, notably with standout roles in Crazy Rich Asians and Ocean's Eight. But her most prominent part might actually be her most dramatic. Specifically, last year's tender, personal The Farewell found the rising star at the forefront of one of the most acclaimed movies of the year. And her performance was certainly well-recognized. Beautifully conveying the mix of humor and sorrow that's presented in this nuanced situation, Awkwafina was praised for channeling the deft balance of gentle humor and dramatic pathos with grace and vulnerability. It led to Awkwafina being the first Asian woman in Golden Globes history to win Best Actress.

Vince Vaughn (Brawl In Cell Block 99)

Though not a comedian in a traditional sense, Vince Vaughn came into fame through his star-making role in Swingers, loosely based on his own real-life personality. From there, much like Jon Favreau, Vaughn continued climbing up the Hollywood ladder, starring in Wedding Crashers, Dodgeball, Old School, The Break-Up, and more. While he periodically dived into dramatic territory, notably with Gus Van Sant's much-criticized Psycho remake, Vaughn found his dramatic stride with Brawl in Cell Block 99, a neo-noir prison thriller-drama which follows former boxer-turned-drug mule Bradley Thomas (Vaughn) as he descends several brutal layers of prison hell to protect the woman he loves. 

While previous Vince Vaughn roles relied on his snarky sarcasm, this one challenges Vaughn's physique. With his bald head and imposing height, Vaughn is surprisingly menacing, but that only makes his unexpected emotional sweet side resonate more.

Marlon Wayans (Requiem For A Dream)

Before White Chicks, Little Man, and the first two Scary Movies, Marlon Wayans was a TV star venturing out into movies. Shortly before his movie career would took off, Wayans gave a surprising dramatic performance in 2000's almost relentlessly bleak Requiem for a Dream. In its bold, unflinching look at drug addiction, Wayans not only holds his own opposite Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Ellen Burstyn, but he proves his dramatic chops in a performance that doesn't mirror any other throughout his career. It's a shame we haven't seen Wayans take another role in this vein again, though he's set to star in Sofia Coppola's latest, On the Rocks.

Albert Brooks (Drive)

A celebrated actor-director best known for Broadcast News, Out of Sight, Finding Nemo, Modern Romance, Defending Your Life, and Lost in America, the latter three he also helmed, Albert Brooks is a familiar, beloved screen presence, yet he surprised everyone with his dark, menacing villainous role in 2011's Drive. Playing the brooding antagonistic figure to Ryan Gosling's soft-spoken protagonist, Brooks' cold, calculated performance didn't capture any of the warmth or humility seen in his earlier work, conveying a seething contempt and a vigor for violence that was surprising not merely because it came from the voice of Merlin. Intentionally, it was effectively disarming, never allowing us to be two steps ahead of our scowling sociopathic baddie. It showed a new side to Brooks. It should be noted, though, that he also starred in Taxi Driver. What's the deal with him and drivers?

In addition all these strong and/or challenging performances, we'll take this moment to celebrate some comedians who didn't make the list, including Melissa McCarthy in Can You Ever Forgive Me? and The Nines, Molly Shannon in Other People and Year of the Dog, Jenny Slate in Obvious Child, Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People, Rodney Dangerfield in Natural Born Killers, Stephen Merchant in Logan, Will Ferrell in Stranger than Fiction and Everything Must Go, Richard Pryor in Blue Collar, George Carlin in Jersey Girl, Seth Rogen in Steve Jobs and Take This Waltz, and Ben Stiller in Permanent Midnight, Greenberg, and The Meyerowitz Stories.

If you are reading this it is probably because you are a Netflix subscriber in need of a good laugh. The comedies section of the streaming service has a plentiful selection of funny movies that quench your thirst for witty dialogue and childish sight gags in no time.

To help narrow down your search, however, allow us to provide a few recommendations available to stream. These are just 12 of some of the funniest movies on Netflix.

Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery (1997)

Since childhood, I have always wondered how even a secret agent as unkillable as James Bond could live through several decades and still be young enough to continue kicking ass. Thus, I would have to side with Mike Myers’ hip, swinging Brit as the more believable cinematic secret agent since Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery at least tries to explain its hero’s stunted aging process between the 1960s and 1990s.

Austin Powers (Mike Myers, who also wrote this hit espionage send-up) is awakened in 1997 from a 30-year cryogenic hibernation in order to stop his recently unfrozen enemy, Dr. Evil (Myers), but neither are having an easy go adapting to the new decade. For thoughtful jabs at James Bond tropes and shameless indulgence in unbridled absurdity, this highly quotable comedy from Bombshell director Jay Roach is arguably the crown jewel of modern day spy movie parodies. Stream it here.

Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019)

The Hangover may have made him a household name, but Between Two Ferns, the hilariously cringe-worthy talk show deconstruction from Funny Or Die, might be the most brilliant thing Zach Galifianakis has ever done. While you may not have expected a series of digital shorts to inspire a feature-length spin-off, that is just what happened and the results are praise-worthy.

This Netflix original sees Zach Galifianakis hit the road in a desperate attempt to continue his show after a disastrous accident leaves his set indefinitely unusable. The mockumentary shines its brightest when it sticks to the awkward celebrity interview format (featuring cameos by Brie Larson, Keanu Reeves, and David Letterman, to name a few), but they so satisfyingly live up to the webseries’ reputation enough to earn Between Two Ferns: The Movie a strong recommendation. Stream it here.

Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

For much of the 1980s, Eddie Murphy was the biggest name in comedy (and Hollywood in general), but has since seen a handful of ups and several downs for the past few decades. His Golden Globe-nominated role in the Netflix original biopic Dolemite Is My Name could be the comeback fans of the comedian have been waiting for.

The film chronicles the struggles of late cult comedy phenomenon Rudy Ray Moore (Eddie Murphy) as he, with the help of his boisterous friends, scrambles to make his popular, foul-mouthed stage persona, Dolemite, into a feature film that would eventually become a staple of blaxploitation cinema… despite its schlocky execution and aggressive cheesiness. Imagine The Disaster Artist if Tommy Wiseau had a genuine personality and optimism to earn your support and you have the inspiring and charmingly hilarious Dolemite Is My Name. Stream it here.

Free Fire (2016)

In 1978 Boston, two differing parties meet in an abandoned warehouse to conduct an illegal arms deal. However, as soon as we become familiar with each eccentric character, things quickly get out of control, inciting the symphony of relentless gunfire that makes up the most of director Ben Wheatley’s Free Fire.

A movie that is essentially 90 minutes of angry people shooting at each other sounds more traumatizing than fun. However, with some ‘70s-style B-movie flavor, a colorful ensemble cast (including Brie Larson, Armie Hammer, Cillian Murphy, and Sharlto Copley), fast-paced wit, and the music of John Denver, the Martin Scorsese-produced Free Fire easily becomes one of the most enjoyably riotous action comedies in recent memory. Stream it here.

Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle (2004)

Every classic stoner movie begins with a simple premise that rapidly spirals completely out of control. One of the most definitive examples of this is the story of two childish twenty-something pals who just want to satisfy their “medically-induced” munchies, but run into a little trouble along the way in this critically acclaimed, raunchy cult hit that spawned two sequels.

What is especially fascinating about Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle is the careers it would spark. John Cho (Harold) is known for playing Sulu in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot, Kal Penn (Kumar) worked for the Obama Administration at one time, and Neil Patrick Harris (playing a highly fictionalized version of himself) is, well, Neil Patrick Harris. Take a look back at a unique time in these actors’ lives with this hilarious adventure. Stream it here.

Kingpin (1996)

Peter Farrelly struck Oscar gold for the first time last year by winning Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture for his fact-based period drama, Green Book. You would never believe that this was same guy who, along with his brother Bobby, directed Dumb and Dumber, There’s Something About Mary, and this comedy that raises the stakes of knocking down pins higher than ever.

Years after a misunderstanding leaves star bowler Roy Munson (Woody Harrelson) without his good hand, he finds hope in the talent of Ishmael (Randy Quaid), whom he convinces to bowl competitively, something his Amish community would never allow, and they are soon joined on the road by the beautiful Claudia (Vanessa Angel). While Kingpin initially got mixed reviews, Roger Ebert praised the film for its consistency in delivering one striking comedic bit after another. Stream it here.

Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975)

Absurdist comedy usually panders to a very niche audience. Nevertheless, Monty Python, the groundbreaking British comedy troupe who pushed absurdity dangerously further than anyone before or since, managed to pull off one of the most iconic and widely beloved farces of all time with this comedy that turns Arthurian literature on its head.

The Knights of the Round Table embark on a quest to find the Holy Grail, but run into the far too resilient Black Knight, rude Frenchmen, and a homicidal rabbit, along the way, all culminating to a hilariously abrupt conclusion that supposedly coined the term “cop out.” Co-directed by eccentric visionary Terry Gilliam and the late Terry Jones, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is commonly considered the troupe’s greatest cinematic achievement and one of the strangest experiences you will ever have laughing. Stream it here.

The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad! (1988)

Speaking of dangerous levels of absurdity, here we have a tale of man so unwittingly a danger to himself and other that it is just plain absurd. Of course, that is very thing we can expect from this movie from the creators of Airplane! starring the best straight face in comedy: the late, great Leslie Nielsen.

The legend reprises his role as Lt. Frank Drebin, from the short-lived crime procedural spoof series Police Squad!, who must foil an assassination plot against Queen Elizabeth II despite countless goofy sight gags getting in the way. If you can get past seeing O.J. Simpson in a starring role as an equally bumbling officer, The Naked Gun is the ultimate detective parody and the beloved Leslie Nielsen’s most definitive comedic role. Stream it here.

Scary Movie (2000)

The irony of Wes Craven’s 1996 slasher revival, Scream, is that Kevin Williamson’s script was intended as a deconstruction of the teen horror genre. Therefore, when The Wayans Brothers wanted to use the film as the focus of their slasher send-up, they had to go for a more overtly humorous tone.

Scary Movie is essentially a parody remake of Scream, with all the clever plot twists and hair-raising suspense supplemented with over-the-top callbacks to common horror cliches and tasteless sight gags that, impressively, never run out of steam. It just may be the last in an era of good cartoonish spoofs. Stream it here.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)

If films like Hot Fuzz or Baby Driver were not enough to convince you that Edgar Wright is one of cinema’s most inventive modern day visionaries, maybe Scott Pilgrim vs. the World will. A movie that complements its video game-esque plot line with 8-bit music cues and imagery has to be considered genius.

Struggling punk band bassist Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) must defeat the seven evil ex-boyfriends of his new love interest Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) in order to win her heart. Based on a series of graphic novels, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a game-changing comedy with a nerd-tastic visual style and brilliant twists and turns, all while never sacrificing its tone that fuses off-beat slacker quirkiness with fantasy so uniquely, it veers on cinematic rebellion. Stream it here.

Zack And Miri Make A Porno (2008)

This comedy from indie slacker comedy king Kevin Smith is more than likely the sweetest and most heartwarmingly romantic film on this list. It just takes a lot of incessantly raunchy humor to get to that point, followed by a little more dirt after that.

When lifelong friends Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) become desperate for money, they come up with the brilliant idea to produce an adult film, a project that becomes more revealing than they expected. Zack and Miri Make A Porno is a surprisingly tasteful movie for a comedy that revolves around tasteless subject matter and a highlight of the Clerks director’s post-’90s career. Stream it here.

Zombieland (2009)

Of the many films that pay tribute to the pioneering achievements of Night of the Living Dead creator George A. Romero through a more humorous lens, I would rank Zombieland second to a certain British horror comedy. However, this goofy road trip through an apocalyptic landscape, with a killer cameo from a beloved comedian, is still a great time for any occasion.

A quartet of mismatched survivors (Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin) must learn to work together as they seek refuge in a world overrun by the undead. The impeccably witty script from future Deadpool scribes Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick and the cast, who clearly enjoyed themselves making this, make Zombieland one of the funniest films focusing on otherwise morbid subject matter ever made. Stream it here.

Are you laughing yet? No? Then, I suppose that means you have not started your binge of funny movies on Netflix yet. Go ahead and get your comedy fix and be sure to check back for more recommendations of what to stream here on CinemaBlend.

To the joy and excitement of comedy fans everywhere, the news came out last year that legendary comedian Eddie Murphy would be returning to stand-up. It had been a long time since the comedian turned actor had stood in front of a microphone to tell jokes so he needed a bit of help to shake off the rust. Eddie Murphy got some solid advice from fellow actor and comedian Jamie Foxx when he was getting back into comedy, as Foxx recalled:

You’ve got to love how one comedian’s advice to another about getting back into comedy is basically a funny joke in and of itself. As Jamie Foxx recalled in a discussion on The Hollywood Reporter’s Actors Roundtable, Eddie Murphy wanted to get back into comedy, but he wasn’t exactly sure how to go about it. So Eddie Murphy turned to Jamie Foxx, who similarly has been a comedian and a movie star.

Interestingly, Jamie Foxx’s advice about getting back into comedy wasn’t what you might expect. He didn’t tell Eddie Murphy to go do some open mics just to knock the cobwebs off or any sort of exercise. Nor did he tell him how he should go about it in terms of whether to do SNL first or a special or a tour or anything like that.

No, Jamie Foxx’s advice was more about getting Eddie Murphy back into a place where he could be funny and that meant fixing his house, or more accurately, breaking it. Jamie Foxx told Eddie Murphy that his house was too perfect and that in order to be funny again that had to change. This is based on Jamie Foxx’s own experiences and belief that if his house and living situation are too perfect, he won’t be able to be funny.

Both Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy have achieved tremendous success in their careers but in Jamie Foxx’s mind, when you attain that top level of success, it gets harder because more is expected of you. And although that success has allowed both of them the luxury of living in lavish, perfect homes, Jamie Foxx seems to believe if he does that, he will lose some of his ability to be funny. So he always leaves things broken or imperfect or flawed on purpose, much to his daughter’s chagrin.

It might sound silly, but it may also be really solid advice. Comedy often comes from pain and from the shortcoming of everyday life. It is life’s imperfections that provide the inspiration for comedians to be funny. Just look at Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm; it is the absurdities of life that comedians hone in on and what catalyzes that comedic thought process.

If you live in a perfect home, those imperfections may be just slightly harder to see, so by remedying that, you can be funny again. It seems like Jamie Foxx’s methodology is just a smart way for him to retain his edge and have that ability to be funny.

I’m not sure whether Eddie Murphy took Jamie Foxx’s advice and blew out the candles and broke his faucet, but Eddie Murphy is surely back. The comedy superstar returned to Saturday Night Live last year to rave reviews. Murphy also knocked it out of the park in Dolemite Is My Name and he’s got Coming 2 America and Beverly Hills Cop 4 in the works. That’s in addition to his stand-up plans.

It seems that this burgeoning Murphyssance is just getting started.

Coming 2 America opens in theaters on December 18 and you can see Jamie Foxx right now in Just Mercy. Check out our 2020 Release Schedule to keep track of all this year’s biggest movies.

Out of the films that were released in 2019, only a select handful of movies made it into the nominated class of 2020’s Academy Awards. Of course, it wouldn’t be the Oscars if there wasn’t a healthy field of snubbed titles that the public, and maybe some voters, felt deserved better.

10 films felt especially robbed when the Academy Awards nominations were handed down this week, with at most a single nomination to their credit, and at least absolutely nothing to show for themselves. In honor of these fallen flicks who had some buzz but couldn’t make the cut, we would like to present the 10 best 2019 movies that were snubbed by the Oscars, ranked from worst to best.

10. Frozen II

While 2020 Best Original Song nominee, and soon to be sing-along experience, Frozen II might not have made the same impact that Frozen did back in its day, it cannot be denied that the film is an absolute hit. Parent and child alike returned to Arendelle, as Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Anna (Kristen Bell) embarked on an adventure into the unknown past of their family history, replete with the sort of songs and humor that made the series a modern classic.

Somehow, the Best Animated Film category eluded Frozen II, and as far as snubs go, that feels like a pretty big one. With the original film not only getting the Best Animated Film nod, it actually won those honors back in 2014. So at the very least, the 2019 movie felt like a sure fire attendee at the 2020 Oscars. But, as history has shown us, sometimes even the popular kids get put on ice.

9. Richard Jewell

Director Clint Eastwood’s account of the media circus and persecution of Richard Jewell’s eponymous protagonist hit the box office with a mixed bag of reviews that saw the film falter upon release. And yet, despite the controversy and the reactions that saw the examination of this moment in modern American history, there was still a fair amount of praise given in certain fields.

In particular, performances from members of Richard Jewell’s cast have gained a favorable reaction, with Kathy Bates actually getting a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her portrayal of Barbara Jewell. But not only did the film seem like a ripe pick for a dark horse Best Picture candidate, actor Paul Walter Hauser felt like a solid pick as an outlier for the Best Actor race as well.

8. Hustlers

Writer/director Lorene Scafaria looked like a contender for not only a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination for her work on Hustlers, but a Best Director nod seemed in the bag as well. And if we’re talking about sure things, Jennifer Lopez was such a solid lock for Best Supporting Actress, you could have practically printed the invitations to her after party months ago.

And yet, when the big morning came, this dramatization of a true ring of strippers who fleeced the rich and powerful somehow came up empty. In fact, Hustlers is one of the 2019 movies that was totally shut out of the 2020 Oscars race this year. Get ready, because this isn’t even the controversial Academy Awards freeze out of this year’s class; despite J Lo's empty handedness being severely called out by the internet.

7. The Farewell

Another movie in a similar boat as Hustlers is writer/director Lulu Wang’s The Farewell, a film based on her own experiences involving her family hiding a diagnosis of terminal illness from her paternal grandmother. With a rosy outlook instilled by the film’s Golden Globes nominations, and in one special case a history making win for Awkwafina in the category of Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy, the Oscar outlook seemed to show a lot of promise.

Of course, The Farewell bid goodbye to any sort of Academy Awards wins pretty quickly, as another shutout found the movie’s fans rather upset. Not even a Best Picture nomination was visited upon the film, nor was there a nomination for Awkwafina for Best Actress, or for Lulu Wang in the categories of Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director.

6. The Lighthouse

The ever present spectre of genre bias has yet again reared its head at the Academy Awards, providing horror fans with yet another case of agita as Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse only saw one Oscar nomination to its name. While Jarin Blaschke’s Best Cinematography nomination is indeed a cause for celebration, some expected more for this atmospheric horror involving two seemingly doomed lighthouse keepers.

In fact, the most talked about omission from The Lighthouse’s potential awards chances was that of Willem Dafoe and his supposed snubbing as a Best Supporting Actor contender. With his stereotypical bombast and charm mixed into the character of Thomas Wake, Dafoe’s chemistry as a co-lead with Robert Pattinson had folks sadly amped up for nothing.

5. Ad Astra

Here’s an interesting case of a snubbing: Brad Pitt found himself nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar this year with his performance as Cliff Booth in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. This happened in the same year that Pitt gave what some consider to be an even greater performance in James Gray’s underseen sci-fi epic, Ad Astra; a film that holds one nomination in 2020’s Academy Awards race for Best Sound Mixing.

The story of a man who finds himself connecting with humanity more than ever, during a quest across the whole of the known universe to find his father and avert planetary crisis, it felt like a pure Oscar bait film when it was released. But Ad Astra’s emotionally cerebral adventure couldn’t even land an acting nomination for its much talked about lead actor, nor could it nab a Best Original Screenplay or Best Visual Effects nod.

4. A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

In a year that seemed to value the message of kindness to quite an impressive extent, director Marielle Heller’s A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood only has one 2020 Oscar nomination to celebrate. With Tom Hanks’ variant of Mister Rogers scoring him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination, his first nom in almost 20 years, there’s one case of all seeming right in the awards season world.

But the failure to nominate Heller’s exquisite work directing A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood feels particularly upsetting, as her unique style turned what could have been a standard biopic into an exciting, introspective affair. Not to mention, a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination feels only fair, as writers Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster turned journalist Tom Junod’s profile on an American legend into a creative retelling of true history.

3. Dolemite Is My Name

In 2007, Eddie Murphy landed his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor in the musical Dreamgirls. While he would lose out to Alan Arkin in that category, it felt like Murphy would eventually find the project to win himself some of that Oscar gold. Naturally, once his performance as Rudy Ray Moore in the Netflix biopic Dolemite Is My Name started to pick up steam, the hype train pulled out of the station on a cloud of good feelings and excitement.

For as much universal acclaim the film and its lead had garnered, Best Actor and Best Picture felt like they were in the bag. There was even a case for Best Adapted Screenplay nominations going to the film’s writers Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, as their work on Dolemite Is My Name helped make that magic happen in the first place. But no nominations were awarded, and much like Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Murphy has all the cause in the world to stay hungry and get out there to find that next golden opportunity.

2. Knives Out

If Knives Out was completely shut out of the Academy Awards, you could be there would have been a torrent of think pieces discussing how writer/director Rian Johnson’s murder mystery comedy was snubbed so hard, it would have left a dent in the foundation of the Dolby Theater. Thankfully, the first of potentially many adventures for Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc did manage to secure one important nomination for Johnson’s Best Original Screenplay.

However, it’s funny that out of an ensemble of pitch perfect performances, with meticulous production design, costuming, and direction all coming along for the ride, Knives Out couldn’t secure technical nominations for those very fields we’ve just mentioned. If you ask us, the lack of nominations for this film’s artistry is the true crime; though at least those involved are laughing to the bank.

1. Uncut Gems

Here it is: the ultimate rage quit of 2020's Academy Award nominations. In another A24 shutout, Josh and Benny Safdie's Uncut Gems landed zero nominations for the much loved indie darling. While Good Time felt like the ultimate warmup of the Safdie Brothers' powers, Uncut Gems captivated audiences far and wide with their weaponized anxiety that they weave so well. So, at least a Best Director nomination and/or a Best Original Screenplay nod with co-writer Ronald Bronstein should have been in order.

But the greater injustice is the fact that there was no Best Picture consideration given to Uncut Gems' funny and frantic neo-noir potboiler; and nor was there a spot saved for Adam Sandler's commanding performance as Howard Ratner, which moves the film along on a greased rail of tension and nerves. Sandler made a promise that he would give the world the worst film ever if the Oscars turned out to be a bust, and quite frankly, we deserve the full fury and wrath of The Sandman.

Now that you've taken a moment to process the increasing feelings of upset, anger, and maybe just disappointment surrounding our selection of snubbed cinema, it's time to get active. Let us know what you think is the greatest film to be snubbed in its lack of nominations for the 92nd annual Academy Awards, courtesy of the poll presented below.

Also, don't forget to hit our comments section to provide some commentary as to why you made your choice, as well as let us know if there's any further titles that should have been considered. Last, but not least, we would be foolish if we didn't remind you that the Oscars will air on Sunday, February 9th at 8 PM ET on ABC. So if we're going to be angry, let's be angry together, as friends!

Among the hustle and bustle of awards season came Netflix’s Dolemite Is My Name, starring the great Eddie Murphy portraying a real-life legendary filmmaker who first became a phenomenon in the ‘70s when he latched on to a bold character for his stand-up act. During promotion for the film, Eddie Murphy named Tyler Perry the Rudy Ray Moore of the current generation.

Ahead of the release of his first Netflix film, A Fall From Grace, soon reaching the streaming platform, CinemaBlend asked Tyler Perry what he thought of Eddie Murphy’s proclamation. In his words:

In my recent interview with the actor, writer and filmmaker, he pretty much agreed with Eddie Murphy’s words, finding quite a few similarities to his own struggles and rise to fame. But, there were a couple things Tyler Perry didn’t appreciate about the Coming To America star’s comments having to do with his appearance. Check out Eddie Murphy’s original words to IndieWire:

He most certainly does not have a potbelly – but other than that Eddie Murphy certainly means well and pays some of the highest compliments to Tyler Perry.

Sure, he is known for his massive movie and television empire and he’s recently amassed a 330 acre studio of his own in Atlanta. But, in the beginning it was just him and a stage. In the ‘90s, when he was just 22 years old, Perry financed his own play in Atlanta with $12,000 of his own life savings. It didn’t do well. But, he came back with $5.5 million raised money from ticket sales to make Diary of a Mad Black Woman in 2005.

Tyler Perry has since become one of the most popular names in Hollywood, namely for his Madea character (which audiences said farewell to last year), he writes all of his own television shows on his own and has found roles in Gone Girl and Vice. Perry’s latest movie, A Fall From Grace is the latest thriller from the filmmaker to have his name written all over.

Check out what else Tyler Perry told me about how Dolemite Is My Name resonated with him:

It’s pretty amazing how much he can relate to Rudy Ray Moore – yet Dolemite Is My Name was his first introduction to him. Last year, Tyler Perry got candid in a CBS interview, saying he’s often ignored by Hollywood for not appealing to everyone.

The movie certainly introduced millions of audiences to the ‘70s legend when it joined the platform in fall. It has been among conversation for 2019’s best entries to cinema… although it won’t be joining the Oscar race. Dolemite lost at the Golden Globes and was snubbed from the Academy Award nominations.

Tyler Perry's Fall From Grace comes to Netflix on January 17. Check out all the original movies coming to Netflix in 2020.

Last November, Netflix released what’s become one of its most successful original movies: Dolemite Is My Name, starring Eddie Murphy as filmmaker Rudy Ray Moore. The streaming service’s release chronicled Moore’s journey to get the first Dolemite movie made back in the 1970s, and one of the biggest challenges that went into documenting this period was ensuring that all the leading characters in Dolemite Is My Name looked as closely as their real-life counterparts as possible.

That particular job fell to Stacey Morris, Carla Farmer and Vera Steimberg, who made up the hair and makeup team on Dolemite Is My Name. Working with director Craig Brewer costume designer Ruth Carter, the trio went to painstaking lengths researching the kind of hairstyles one would have seen in 1970s Los Angeles. Talking about how important it was to do a “deep dive” on that time period, Steimberg said:

That makes senses. After all, while Dolemite Is My Name recreates several moments from the original Dolemite, the movie is about how Rudy Ray Moore came up with the eponymous character and all the work he poured into bringing said creation to the big screen. So in addition to ensuring that Eddie Murphy looked like Moore both in front of and away from the camera (which included his wigs looking better as he became more successful), it also was necessary that those who joined Moore in making Dolemite look era-appropriate.

To that end, Stacey Morris, Carla Farmer and Vera Steimberg would attend fitting sessions for those secondary characters frequently pitched ideas to Ruth Carter. Ultimately, the hair in Dolemite Is My Name was tackled with a “heightened level of scrutiny.” If the trio had trouble with a particular actor’s hair, they’d put a hat on that person, and Steimberg pointed out that none of the women had implants. Morris added to Variety:

Whatever it takes, right? In addition to Dolemite Is My Name receiving various ‘Best Costume Design’ accolades over the last several months, the movie also scored a Best Hair & Makeup nomination at the Critics Choice Awards, though Bombshell won out in that category. Alas, Dolemite Is My Name did not walk away with any Academy Award nominations this morning, but going by its extraordinary critical reception, there’s no question that it did a lot of things right.

You can stream Dolemite Is My Name to your heart’s content on Netflix, and if you’re curious about what’s hitting the big screen over the course of this year, consult our 2020 release schedule.

The year 2019 is over and the "Roaring Twenties" are finally upon us (we need a new name for this decade, btw). The Golden Globe Awards have been dished out and the top 10 movies of the CinemaBlend team have been announced. The year was a rollercoaster release-wise, front loaded with superhero blockbusters accompanied by a fourth quarter filled with award contenders. Disney alone had six films that made over a billion dollars. Despite the money made by the mouse, the 2019 box office still fell short of the previous year, although not by much.

While the dollars and cents might not have added up, emotions and opinions were definitely not short-changed in 2019. Below is a breakdown of the top 10 films of 2019 from each member of the CinemaBlend staff who saw at least 50 new releases. Be sure to let us know your favorite film of the past year in the poll or comments section below!

Although 2019 closed the door on two of the biggest sagas to ever hit the big screen, 2020 is shaping up to be another blockbuster year, from the beginning of the MCU's Phase 4 to a resurgence of both classic and new horror movies. Make sure to let us know your favorite film of the year by using the poll or comments section below and keep up with everything new dropping this year with our 2020 release date schedule.

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Eddie Murphy's highly acclaimed and award-winning Netflix movie Dolemite Is My Name introduced millions of new fans to filmmaker Rudy Ray Moore. Real- life comedian/actor/musician/producer Moore played the character of Dolemite in stand-up routines and several blaxploitation films starting in the 1970s. Today, Murphy says we have our own modern Rudy Ray Moore in Tyler Perry.

Here's what Eddie Murphy said when asked what today’s generation of black filmmakers can learn from Rudy Ray Moore:

I can definitely see how Tyler Perry is today's Rudy Ray Moore. Just in case it isn't clear, he's talking about Moore there at the end of that quote to IndieWire. Dolemite Is My Name shows Moore getting his act from the streets. And the guy wasn't exactly Brad Pitt on the physical front. But, as Eddie Murphy told CinemaBlend, Rudy Ray Moore "turned shit into lemonade." He was ambitious and made a whole mini industry out of nothing. It impressed him.

As for Tyler Perry? He is definitely known for his hard work ethic. He raised some of the money for his first movie, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, in part from ticket sales from his own stage shows. He created the character of Madea and performed the role through multiple movies that weren't exactly embraced by critics but definitely found a loyal fan base. Now he's one of the highest-paid entertainers in the world, and his first non-Madea movie will be heading to Netflix.

IndieWire argued you could draw a direct line from Oscar Micheaux to Rudy Ray Moore, and then to Tyler Perry and beyond -- with Micheaux considered the first major African-American filmmaker. Eddie Murphy was a big fan of that direct line:

Eddie Murphy's Dolemite Is My Name covers the making of Moore's first movie, Dolemite, which came out in 1975. The 2019 comedy was a passion project for Murphy, who is one of the Netflix movie's producers. While there was once a stigma about making movies for Netflix, that seems to have changed in the past couple of years. Murphy said Netflix was the ideal place for his movie:

Gotta love how candid Eddie Murphy can be! Good for Netflix, though, for seeing the potential in this movie. And good for fans for watching it. Murphy quoted a figure of 40 million views for the movie after two weeks. It's considered one of the best movies of the year, comedy or otherwise.

The True Story Behind Eddie Murphy's Wild Sex Scene In Netflix's Dolemite Is My Name

Dolemite Is My Name and Eddie Murphy are nominated for several Golden Globe Awards, so be sure to watch tonight's (Sunday, January 6) show on NBC to see if the team wins.

Netflix has long been known as a great place for Netflix Originals on the TV front, but it's only recently been raising its game on Netflix original movies. In 2019, Netflix Films were some of the best movies of the year -- also some of the weirdest, boldest, most inspired, and most timely. We all have our favorites, but here are my choices for the 10 best Netflix movies of 2019, ranked from "worst" to best.

10. Fyre

Ah, the schadenfreude movie of the year. Actually, there were two of them. The Fyre Festival was such a tantalizing fail, it got dueling documentaries in 2019. Fyre streamed on Netflix, with Fyre Fraud on Hulu. Netflix's Fyre became infamous for event producer Andy King's admission that he almost performed oral sex to get water for festival attendees. He became a meme for that, but the documentary also showed the serious repercussions of the festival. While people at home gleefully laughed at the rich kids who spent thousands to attend the festival, there were also working people in the Bahamas who were stiffed by the event producers. Fyre tells that story too.

9. The Perfection

Netflix has some movies that are pretty far out there and several with odd twist endings. This is one of them. It's just a total mindfuck. The Perfection is the kind of movie that elicits strong reactions -- positive and negative. That's part of why it succeeds, in my opinion. I love the wild risks. Every time I thought this movie was about one thing, it became about something else. Essentially, the twisted psychological horror movie is about Allison Williams' talented cellist Charlotte, and her rivalry with her former academy's new star pupil Lizzie (Logan Browning). But it's also about a lot more. And let me just say, from Girls to Get Out to The Perfection, Williams does not get enough credit for pure balls-out commitment to polarizing roles.

8. El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie

As a devoted fan of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, I loved El Camino ... and was also let down by it. Or maybe I was let down by my own expectations. What's fair on that front? The eternal fan question. I can't find fault with the acting or dialogue, and it was such a treat to see the Breaking Bad characters again and definitively see Jesse Pinkman starting his new life. And yet... so much of El Camino felt like deleted scenes from Breaking Bad. It didn't move the narrative forward enough for me. It ended where I hoped it would start. But on an emotional level, writer/director Vince Gilligan and actor Aaron Paul -- and Jesse Plemons, and Bryan Cranston, and our beloved Robert Forster -- knocked it out of the park. It was perfect comfort food and something I know I'll appreciate more with future viewings.

7. Always Be My Maybe

I still don't understand why we haven't spent all of 2019 talking about Randall Park's rap about punching Keanu Reeves. Best believe, it's the best song of 2019 from one of the best movies. This romantic comedy plays out pretty much how you expect it to, but if your movie entirely depends on shocking twists to be memorable, it's probably not a good movie. Always Be My Maybe is just a charming, funny, very real, and very romantic comedy. Ali Wong and Randall Park -- who helped write the movie -- are geniuses and I could watch them in everything. Also, Keanu is solid gold.

6. The Two Popes

Anthony Hopkins is always riveting, and he nails every nuance of Pope Benedict XVI, the more challenging man to grasp in The Two Popes. But still, this is Jonathan Pryce's movie, and should be the one to finally give him an Oscar nomination. He disappears into the future Pope Francis in director Fernando Meirelles' biographical film. Screenwriter Anthony McCarten adapted his own play for the Netflix movie, which just came out at the end of December 2019. While ambitious in its conversation topics -- morality, God, every other big picture topic -- the film itself isn't that ambitious in its scope. It mostly (and wisely) focuses on these two powerhouses of the modern Catholic church, offering a surprisingly warm and even funny look at how they may have interacted.

5. Marriage Story

Every generation gets its own divorce movie, and this one is perfect for our modern era. Noah Baumbach's Netflix dramedy finds the humor and beating heart in the breakup of a theater director (Adam Driver) and actress (Scarlett Johansson). The two stars give powerful performances, and I don't mean that much-dissected fight scene. I mean the smaller moments, the little details that make their relationship real and not just a cliché. Their lingering love for each other, and the casual realism -- like swearing in front of, and sometimes at, their kid without that becoming a thing. And when he read her letter in the end... Marriage Story doesn't cover new ground, but it's achingly real and more heartwarming than I expected. Aso, Laura Dern, Ray Liotta, and Alan Alda need a spinoff following their legal exploits. Netflix, you have your marching orders.

4. The Irishman

The Irishman is the kind of movie I appreciate more than I love. Martin Scorsese's movie is epic in every sense of the word, and what a coup for Netflix to land it. Most of the performances are outstanding, especially from Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro. Al Pacino is also a standout, but I've seen that performance from him before. That's my biggest complaint about The Irishman, which is worth holding to a particularly high standard. I'm not as fussed about the runtime as the lack of originality. It covers so much familiar territory from some of the same actors who've been making mob movies with Scorsese and company since Mean Streets and Goodfellas. But maybe it's like Marriage Story giving a new generation a new great divorce movie. Now we have another great crime movie. And I did love the ending.

3. Klaus

Klaus is an instant classic. My cynical heart grew at least two sizes watching the film, which is Netflix's first original animated movie. Maybe this should be its new niche. Jason Schwartzman voices the lead character of Jesper, the rich and lazy Postmaster General's son, who is sent to the dismal town of Smeerensburg and told he has to post 6,000 letters in a year or his father will cut him off. Once Jesper gets there, his own heart eventually melts and he changes the town in all the ways you already expect. No major twists there, you instantly know where it's going. But on the way is so much wit and warmth -- plus some of the most stunning frame-worthy visuals. I laughed out loud in a couple of places and sobbed like a lonely toddler toward the end. I can't wait to re-watch this movie every year.

2. Dolemite Is My Name

Rude, crude, raw, racuous, colorful, and campy, Dolemite is just a total joy. Eddie Murphy's R-rated comedy is a welcome shot of originality as well as 118 minutes of pure adrenaline. Unlike, say, The Irishman, there isn't an ounce of fat on Dolemite Is My Name. Murphy gives Rudy Ray Moore the kind of showcase any star would dream of, introducing the real-life comedian and blaxploitation filmmaker to a whole new audience. "I want the world to know I exist." And now they do. Side note: Between his supporting role in Dolemite and cameo on FX's What We Do in the Shadows, Wesley Snipes needs to make more comedies. Can't beat his timing.

1. American Factory

Netflix's best documentary of 2019 is also one of the best movies of the year, period. American Factory follows American and Chinese workers and management as the Chinese company Fuyao opens a factory in suburban Ohio. The fly-on-the-wall style humanizes everyone we see on screen without slanting in any direction. This movie does it all -- educates, infuriates, makes you think, makes you feel, makes you understand. Unlike so many of the titles above, American Factory is a time capsule. It perfectly captures everything real about 2019. We needed this film. Watch it here on Netflix.

While Netflix is still improving its selection of original scripted films, it is arguably the market leader for outstanding original documentary films. Netflix documentaries rank among the best across all outlets. With our current content surge, everyone from Hulu and Amazon to HBO has entered the doc game, but Netflix still holds its own. American Factory is a perfect example of that.

If I could give out honorable mentions to other Netflix movies of 2019, I'd go for Velvet Buzzsaw; High Flying Bird; I Am Mother; and maybe Paddleton. I probably wouldn't include Fractured; Earthquake Bird; Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator; Murder Mystery; The King; or 6 Underground, although they all started their share of conversations.

So those are my picks for the 10 best Netflix movies of 2019. That's not to say they were the 10 best movies overall, and I know you will have your own choices. What was the best Netflix movie of 2019, to you?

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It’s been years since Eddie Murphy made a movie with the kind of brash, irreverent comedy that made him famous. But he didn’t switch gears because he was trying to spare anyone’s feelings. In fact, the actor recently made it clear that he’s never going to change his comedic style just to avoid offending people -- and he thinks that his fans will understand why.

While promoting his new film, Dolemite Is My Name, the legendary comedian was asked about past roles, like an Asian character in Norbit, and whether he’s concerned about having to avoid backlash and outrage on social media about being culturally insensitive. Eddie Murphy was quick to explain that he is going into the next phase of his career unafraid:

Though 21st century moviegoers may know Eddie Murphy from family friendly comedies like Shrek and The Nutty Professor, the actor made a name for himself by pushing boundaries early in his career. Films like Coming to America and Beverly Hills Cop established him as a comedian who definitely wasn’t concerned with whether or not he was offending anyone.

Eddie Murphy’s insistence that he won’t change his comedic style to fit the times positions him amongst a growing number of artists who have expressed disdain for the concept of ‘woke’ culture. Some have chosen to remain unapologetic when it comes to creating offensive content. Others have chosen to leave comedy behind altogether, rather than deal with potential backlash. It’s too early to tell whether Eddie Murphy’s future projects will create any controversy -- but even if they do, it seems like he won’t be bothered.

In addition to promoting Netflix's Dolemite, Eddie Murphy is also returning to host Saturday Night Live tonight (12/21/19) on NBC.

2019 has been a good year for movies. There are always great films that come out in any given year, but there may be no genre that gets more overlooked than the comedy. The point of the film is to laugh at it, and that makes it tough for some to take it seriously. However, if you love to laugh at the movies, there were some absolutely great opportunities to do so in 2019.

If you're a comedy fan looking for something you missed this year, or just wondering what CinemaBlend thought of your favorite comedy of the year, check out our top 10 of 2019 right here.

10. Detective Pikachu

To be sure, Detective Pikachu is only a middle of the road film when you look at the whole thing. But when you have Ryan Reynolds voicing your lead character, then you're putting yourself in a strong position when it comes to pure comedy, and Reynolds does not disappoint.

Detective Pikachu could have even ended up in a higher spot on this list if it was a more even film. Ryan Reynolds provides a steady stream of great jokes for the first half of the movie, but the second half is a weaker movie in every possible way, including the humor. Still, with no idea when we'll see Reynolds playing Deadpool again, Detective Pikachu is a decent enough place to enjoy Reynolds' style of humor.

9. Stuber

Stuber got mixed reviews upon release, but I for one have zero problem putting it on a list of the best comedies of the year. Kumail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista are a welcome addition to the buddy comedy hall of fame. The duo have great chemistry throughout Stuber and they compliment each other perfectly.

Dave Bautista is a cop on a mission who, due to laser surgery, can't see well enough to drive himself. Nanjiani is the hapless Uber driver who really needs the 5-star review. Is the premise contrived and ridiculous? Absolutely. Are you going to care five minutes after they meet? Not even a little.

8. Shazam!

While the biggest genre in movies today is based on something called comic books, it would be quite rare to ever expect one of the current crop of comic book movies to end up on a list like this. And yet, Shazam! earned its spot quite easily. The story of a teenage boy who gains the power to transform into an adult superhero is ripe for comedy gold, and the film fully embraces that with fantastic results.

Zachary Levi is at a level of perfect casting for Shazam!, on par with Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. There may be nobody better to play the adult with the mind of a kid. The movie becomes a superhero version of [Big](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big(film), with all the laughs one would expect from that, while also being no less a great superhero movie, with excellent action and even some surprisingly mature scary moments. _Shazam! is everything, including a great comedy.

7. Toy Story 4

Nobody was quite sure what to expect from Toy Story 4 when Pixar and Disney announced the film several years ago. If done well, it would certainly be an emotional roller coaster to rival the other entries in the series, but I'm not sure anybody expected it to be so damn funny. And yet, here we are.

Toy Story 4 sends Buzz, Woody and their friends on one more adventure, but it's the additions to the cast that make Toy Story 4 the funniest, if not the best, entry in the series. Tony Hale as the clueless Forky is so good that he got his own series of shorts on Disney+. And Toy Story 4 reminded us all just why Key and Peele are the funniest comedy team of this generation. They're probably too busy to have their own Disney+ series as well, but they deserve one.

6. Long Shot

Romantic comedies are one of those comedic genre that always seem to have a strong base of support. We all probably have our favorites. However, because they tend to fall into simple formulas, they rarely stand out. However, there were a couple of rom-coms which had enough going for them in 2019 to be worth noticing, and one of them was Long Shot.

The premise itself is worthy of note. Charlize Theron is the Secretary of State who's considering a run for the White House. Seth Rogen is a former neighbor who's now a reporter and joins the Secretary's speech writing staff. The setup is strange and the pairing is the last one we'd expect, but that's part of why it works. Going with an odd couple like Theron and Rogen was certainly a bit of a risk, but it's one that pays off. It givers the rom-com formula a shot of something fresh and makes it worth checking out.

5. Always Be My Maybe

However, while Long Shot is good, the funniest romantic comedy of this year is definitely Always Be My Maybe. The Netflix comedy stars Randall Park and Ali Wong as a pair of childhood friends who maybe could have been more and reunite after many years apart. One of them is a raging professional success, and the other, not so much.

Always Be My Maybe is worth it for the Keanu Reeves scene alone, where the internet's boyfriend plays the most exaggerated version of himself conceivable. And yet, the core story is still fun and engaging even without Keanu. Because it shines a light on characters and cultures we don't normally see in rom-coms, it keeps everything from feeling too formulaic, even when it basically is.

4. Late Night

Every year at the Sundance Film Festival, there is at least one movie that tends to blow away those in attendance. This year, that film was Mindy Kaling's Late Night. Amazon shelled out big bucks to get the rights to it, and when the movie debuted, we learned exactly why.

Mindy Kaling plays the newest member of the all-male writers room for a late night talk show hosted by Emma Thompson. If Kaling's smart writing wasn't enough to make Late Night worth watching, and it is, then the film also acts as a reminder that Emma Thompson is hilarious, which is something we all need to be reminded of now and then.

3. Good Boys

If you're looking for a solid comedy to laugh the night away, you can rarely do better than boys behaving badly. 2019 had one of the best examples of the genre in years with the appropriately titled Good Boys. Needless to say, we had no idea Jacob Tremblay even knew some of those words.

Good Boys goes pretty hard on the vulgar humor, and so it might to be to everybody's tastes, but the movie certainly hits more than it misses, and it has a surprising heart which makes it more than just a marathon of vulgar sex jokes. Still, if you're a fan of vulgar sex jokes, you really can't go wrong.

2. Dolemite is My Name

Even a couple of years ago, I never would have expected to see an Eddie Murphy movie anyplace whatever on a list of the best comedies of the year, never mind almost at the top. And yet, Dolemite is my Name reminds us all just how great an actor and comedian Eddie Murphy really is. This is a movie that's not be missed.

Dolemite is My Name is a biography of Rudy Ray Moore, a jack-of-all-trades entertainer who, in the 1970s, discovered the stories of the fictional character of Dolemite, and adapted them for his own stage show. The character becomes the 1970s equivalent of a viral sensation, eventually leading Moore to take his character to the big screen, even if he has to finance the movie himself. It's the perfect vehicle for Eddie Murphy, and one of the best movies of the year, in any genre.

1. Booksmart

Boys behaving badly may be worthy of a spot on this list, but in 2019, the best comedy of the year is all about the girls behaving badly. Olivia Wilde's directorial debut, Booksmart, is the absolute funniest movie of the year, with some great performances and quick-witted writing coming together with Wilde's direction to make one of the best teen comedies of the genre.

What makes Booksmart stand out immediately is that Kaitlyn Deaver and Beanie Feldstein aren't playing your typical high school comedy rejects. Instead, they're the "good kids," the ones that have never been in trouble. And that's the problem. The best friends realize too late their high school years could have been more fun, and they try to cram four years of partying into a single night, and very nearly succeed.

2019 was a solid year for comedies, so there are some good ones that couldn't quite make this list. Which of these was your favorite comedy of the year? Let us know in the poll below, If your favorite isn't listed here, let us know what you loved most down in the comments.

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This morning may have only been the day we learned the nominees for the 2020 Golden Globe Awards, but the night already has its first big winner, Netflix. The streaming service had a huge day, picking up multiple nominations for four different films, The Irishman, Marriage Story, The Two Popes and Dolemite is my Name.

All four films picked up nominations in their respective categories for Best Picture, which means, in the case of the drama category, three of the five nominees are Netflix films. 1917 and Joker fill out the category to attempt to defend the honor of the traditional theatrical release.The same situation plays out in the Best Screenplay category as all three dramas are nominated, along site Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood and Parasite.

On the acting front, Eddie Murphy got a nomination for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy, and then the three dramas hold court once again. The two leads of Marriage Story, Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver each took a nomination in their respective categories. Laura Dern was also nominated for Supporting Actress in Marriage Story. Both of The Two Popes were nominated, Jonathan Pryce as Best Actor - Drama and Anthony Hopkins as Best Supporting Actor. Joe Pesci and Al Pacino will be competing against each other for Best Supporting Actor for their roles in The Irishman. Conspicuous by his absence, Robert De Niro was not nominated for his lead role in the film.

And to round out the nominations, Marriage Story took a nomination for Best Original Score and Martin Scorsese took his familiar place in the Best Director category for The Irishman. The only places Netflix didn't come away with at least one nomination were Best Original Song, Animated Feature, and Foreign Language Film.

And all this is just within the movie sphere, Netflix took home an armload of additional nominations on the television side of things thanks to shows like The Crown and Unbelievable.

This certainly isn't Netflix's first big day at the ball, but it's further evidence that the streaming service is a force to be reckoned with. We've seen Netflix with big movies in the past, but this year there are four big movies and even if no one movie sweeps the awards, Netflix could basically split the show up amongst itself and walk away with nearly every award.

Of course, the massive number of nominations is far from a guarantee of wins. There is some still competition in every category from the likes of Parasite, Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood. It's just as likely at this point that Netflix gets edged out in most categories and walks away with little to nothing.

On the plus side, if you're the sort of person who has trouble making it the theater to see a lot of movies, you can watch most of the Golden Globes nominees without leaving your home. Three of the four nominated Netflix films are available to watch right now. The fourth, The Two Popes, is set to drop on the service December 20, so you'll be able to watch it before the Golden Globes hits next month.

In director Craig Brewer’s Dolemite Is My Name, Eddie Murphy delivers one of the best performances of his career, starring in a comedy that proves to be a perfect showcase for his talents, while also telling a story that is hilarious and emotional. And what makes it all even more amazing is that it’s based on a true story. As crazy as things get in the movie when Murphy’s Rudy Ray Moore attempts to become a world-famous comedy star, it’s all actually grounded in reality.

Of course, the nature of narrative filmmaking does demand that certain changes are made along the way, so a natural question emerges: what’s the real story behind Netflix's Dolemite Is My Name, and just how sharply does the movie stick to factual events in dramatizing Rudy Ray Moore’s journey? That’s the query we’re addressing here, as we do a deep dive into the backstory of the central protagonist in one of the best films of 2019. SPOILERS for those who haven't yet watched.

Rudy Ray Moore’s Early Life

With the film starting in 1970 and featuring Rudy Ray Moore in his early 40s, Dolemite Is My Name doesn’t do a whole lot of digging when it comes to the central figure’s life prior to the creation of his most iconic character, but it’s worth noting that he led a fascinating existence through the mid-20th century.

He was born in 1927 Arkansas, and first got a taste for performance as a child singing in church, and he even got to exercise his desire to entertain after he was drafted into the army in 1950. While enlisted, he would put on shows for his fellow soldiers. It was during this time that his taste notably changed, as he very much enjoyed doing musical acts, but was bitten by the comedy bug and began to hunger for making audiences laugh.

After getting an honorable discharge from the service, he lived in Seattle before relocating to Los Angeles – which is just about where Dolemite Is My Name picks up with the pop culture icon.

Rudy Ray Moore’s Career(s) Before Dolemite

As showcased at the beginning of Dolemite Is My Name, when Eddie Murphy’s Rudy Ray Moore is shown trying to work out a deal with a disc jockey played by Snoop Dogg, the real Moore tried to break out as an entertainer via clubs and the recording booth – both as a singer and as a comedian. It's not featured in the biopic, but the legend was first discovered by producer Dootsie Williams in the mid-1950s, and while they worked together, Moore did R&B songs for multiple labels, and created three comedy records.

Prior to the creation of Dolemite, he worked on other characters while doing club acts, including a dancer with a turban named Prince DuMarr.

The Creation Of Dolemite

The circumstances that led to the creation of the character Dolemite as depicted in Dolemite Is My Name is very true to the actual events that transpired in real life. As seen in the movie, Rudy Ray Moore was working at the famous record store Dolphin's Of Hollywood in 1970, and found inspiration courtesy of one of the establishment’s regulars – a man named Ricco (played by Ron Cephas Jones).

Ricco would tell dirty stories about a brazen individual named Dolemite, and Ruby Ray Moore took that material and formed it into a character performance for his stage act – which he accented by wearing a wig and brightly colored suits. And while vulgar comedy was definitely having a moment thanks to the emergence of talents like Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx, Moore’s material went further than both of them. The style of the rhyming poetry and the way he delivered it was revolutionary at the time, and as a result he is now credited as the Godfather of Rap.

Dolemite became a hit in small circles, and Moore really did go about recording those comedy albums by filling his apartment with friends to try and create a club atmosphere. It was also during this time, while touring, that he met the real Lady Nancy Reed (played by Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the film). Together, they helped prop up their individual entertainment careers.

By relative standards, Ruby Ray Moore was successful, but as seen in Eddie Murphy’s performance, it wasn’t enough for him to just be reaching the small crowd that had to purchase his record out of car trunks because the album artwork was deemed too explicit for store shelves.

The Making Of Dolemite The Movie

Ruby Ray Moore saw feature filmmaking as the answer to his problems, despite the fact that he knew absolutely nothing about the process. He took all of his earnings from record sales, approximately $100,000 (equivalent today to about $500,000 after calculating inflation), and put it all towards the making of a movie that he himself would star in.

The enterprising Moore enlisted the help of playwright Jerry Jones (Keegan-Michael Key’s character) to write the script, and he took a great deal of influence in the development of the story from the popular Blaxploitation genre (which had been growing since the release of Shaft and Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song) and kung-fu movies.

Dolemite got a bit of credibility thanks to the involvement of D'Urville Martin (portrayed by Wesley Snipes), who was lured with the opportunity to make his directorial debut, and was also hired to play the central villain. Everything had to be done for as little money as possible, but the lack of production values added to the comedy of the film – such as a room being rigged to fall apart during a passionate sex scene, and Dolemite performing a fight sequence despite having absolutely no idea how to fight.

How Dolemite Became A Cult Classic

Despite the popularity of Blaxploitation movies, Dolemite was initially a hard sell when it came to distribution – as you’d expect for a film that was clearly made for next to no money. Eventually, though, both the project and Rudy Ray Moore caught a break. Dimension Pictures, which specialized in exploitation features and was founded by Lawrence Woolner (Bob Odenkirk in the film), made a deal to release the movie in theaters.

Ultimately, word of mouth did spectacular wonders for the film as it went on to become a bona fide cult classic. Dolemite Is My Name gets things exactly right in depicting the stir that was surprisingly created around the movie. It earned $12 million during its theatrical run, which was obviously a huge return on investment.

That’s where the Eddie Murphy-led version of the story finished, but Rudy Ray Moore saw great success following the release of Dolemite. In addition to continuing his stand-up career and releasing records, Moore made a sequel to his debut film in 1976 called The Human Tornado, and also starred in films such as The Monkey Hu$tle, Petey Wheatstraw, and Disco Godfather.

Ruby Ray Moore died a little over 11 years ago, on October 19, 2008, but his legacy is now as strong as it has ever been, particularly thanks to the wonderful success of Dolemite Is My Name and Eddie Murphy’s brilliant performance.

You can currently stream Dolemite Is My Name on Netflix.

Spoilers for Netflix's latest release starring Eddie Murphy can be found throughout this article. If you haven't caught it yet, it's streaming now!

Director Craig Brewer’s new film Dolemite Is My Name is a rip-roaring nearly two-hour adventure story about Rudy Ray Moore, an entertainer who spent his whole life hustling. It’s also a true story, down to one wild portrayal from co-star Wesley Snipes, who plays real-life actor D'Urville Martin in the flick.

If you’ve seen Dolemite Is My Name, you should already know that Snipes is a rather outlandish and very much drunken character throughout the movie. It’s a really funny role for the actor, although those watching might feel the character, as played by Snipes, is a little over-the-top. That’s not so, however, as director Craig Brewer recently revealed the true story behind the Kung Fu scene in the movie, and how in some ways it played out funnier in real life. He noted,

Eddie Murphy is the star in Dolemite Is My Name, but he actually may not play the most over-the-top personality in the film. At one point Rudy Ray Moore convinces D’Urville Martin to join the film by giving him a director’s credit. The actor takes the gig, but realizes it’s a hot mess and believes it probably won’t make money. He then “directs” the film, but that mostly involves him drinking and making snarky comments such as, “I see no reason to do it again” after he's called “cut.”

One scene in particular in Dolemite Is My Name has Eddie Murphy attempting Kung Fu on some corrupt cops. Eddie Murphy looks ridiculous doing the minor stunts, and in the scene he actually “kicks” an actor into the trunk of a car as part of the plot, but looks absolutely amateurish through the whole bit.

During the scene, D’Urville Martin leans over to the Director of Photography, played by Kodi Smit-McPhee, and asks whether it’s possible to make Rudy Ray Moore look any better. Unfortunately for him, the DP reveals there is not. It’s one of the funniest scenes in the movie, particularly given Eddie Murphy's character responds to this exchange by asking, “Is it as good as Shaft?”

Apparently, in real life, the actor just laid down and gave up. Part of me thinks it would have been even funnier if the scene in question had played out that way. But we get D’Urville Martin halfway passed out and playing dead while filming the end of the movie as the over-the-top villain, anyway. So, I guess that’s a win.

Ultimately Dolemite Is My Name is based on a true story, and according to what Craig Brewer told Business Insider, a lot of the moments that actually occurred in real life made it into the movie. Even if Wesley Snipes’ D’Urville Martin doesn’t semi-pass out during the scene, they shot at the same house and tried to get the moves from the original movie right.

If you haven’t caught Dolemite Is My Name yet, it’s one of several movies Netflix has coming down the pipeline that are generally earning good reviews and are in the awards conversation at least somewhat (although it's early in the game). For now, you can check out Eddie Murphy, Wesley Snipes and the rest of the incredible and noteworthy cast streaming now.

SPOILERS ahead from Eddie Murphy's new Netflix movie Dolemite Is My Name.

About an hour and 15 minutes into Dolemite Is My Name, there's a wild, ceiling-shattering sex scene. It's hilarious. It's part of the Netflix film's retelling of how the 1975 movie Dolemite was made. Eddie Murphy plays real-life actor/comedian Rudy Ray Moore; in Dolemite, Moore launched his film career with the character of revenge-seeking-pimp Dolemite. The wall-shaking sex scene really did play out in a Dolemite movie, but not Dolemite. It's one of the little liberties Dolemite Is My Name took in telling Rudy Ray Moore's story.

The sex scene was re-enacted faithfully for the Netflix movie, but it really took place in the 1976 movie The Human Tornado, the sequel to Dolemite. As Dolemite Is My Name co-writer Scott Alexander explained to USA Today:

The sex scene is intentionally hilarious and over-the-top, but it's still true to what happened -- in a different movie. As director Craig Brewer added:

The original sex scene, shown in Human Tornado, plays in the montage of real clips at the end of Dolemite Is My Name. Here's a still from the real scene:

Here's a still from the Netflix movie's version of the sex scene:

In the Netflix movie, before the sex scene, we see Eddie Murphy's Rudy Ray Moore talking to Da'Vine Joy Randolph's Lady Reed about his discomfort with the upcoming sex scene for Dolemite. Through their conversation, she gives him the idea to make the scene funny. Cut to the day of filming, with crew members literally shaking the bed, pulling strings to make the photos on the wall come down, and literally blowing up the ceiling.

After the ceiling explosion, there's silence. Then Dolemite movie director D'Urville Martin (the great Wesley Snipes) gives a perfectly timed "Cut" and the whole cast and crew bust out laughing -- except for screenwriter Jerry Jones (Keegan-Michael Key), who basically complains that he wrote a genuine love scene, not THAT.

Dolemite Is My Name -- which is dedicated to the late great Charlie Murphy, Eddie's brother -- premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and got a limited theatrical release (for Oscars consideration, for Eddie Murphy?) before arriving on Netflix this Friday, October 25. The movie marks Eddie Murphy's first R-rated movie in 20 years. The comedy has earned raves from critics who loved the bold, brash, take on Rudy Ray Moore's stranger-than-fiction true story.

Fans also seem to be appreciating Dolemite Is My Name, which marks something of a comeback for Eddie Murphy. He has Coming 2 America -- also directed by Craig Brewer -- coming at the end of 2020. Much sooner, we get to see Eddie Murphy back on Saturday Night Live. His return to host is scheduled for December 21.

After premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival at the beginning of September and getting a limited theatrical release earlier this month, Dolemite Is My Name, Eddie Murphy’s first R-rated comedy in 20 years, is finally available on Netflix for all to enjoy. While Murphy is front and center in this hilarious biopic about filmmaker Rudy Ray Moore, he and the other talent want to make sure that people know this movie wouldn’t exist without his late brother, Charlie Murphy.

As such, Dolemite Is My Name includes a dedication to Charlie Murphy, who passed away from leukemia in 2017. Here’s what director Craig Brewer had to say about making sure Eddie Murphy’s brother was properly recognized:

For those unaware, ‘Signifying Monkey’ refers to the famous speech that Rudy Ray Moore gave in the original Dolemite, which came out in 1975. Dolemite Is My Name chronicles Moore’s rise to stardom and the making of that blaxploitation movie, but it this project wouldn’t have gotten off the ground if he hadn’t heard the Charlie Murphy interview.

As far as Eddie Murphy’s concerned, he remembers Charlie Murphy constantly quoting Rudy Ray Moore’s lines from the Dolemite movies when they were growing up. Decades later, with Murphy now a bonafide movie star, he wanted to delve into Moore’s life on the big screen, and after spending over a decade in development, the fruits of that particular labor are finally on display to the public.

Charlie Murphy was a comedy powerhouse in his own right, with his most notable credits including Chappelle’s Show, The Boondocks and Black Jesus. Charlie also appeared in two of Eddie Murphy’s movies, Harlem Nights and Norbit. While Charlie’s level of fame never reached the heights that his brother’s did, Craig Brewer wants people watching Dolemite Is My Name to know that he was nonetheless talented. Continuing in his interview with Business Insider, Brewer said:

Co-starring alongside Eddie Murphy in Dolemite Is My Name are Wesley Snipes, Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Epps, Craig Robinson, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Titus Burgess and Aleksandar Filimonovi, among others. Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski wrote the script. The movie ranks at an astounding 98% among critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

You can watch Dolemite Is My Name in the comfort of your own home on Netflix now, and be sure to read CinemaBlend’s review of the movie. Find out what’s heading to theaters in the near future with our 2019 release schedule and 2020 release schedule, which includes Eddie Murphy and Craig Brewer re-teaming for Coming 2 America.

Eddie Murphy has gone three years without a new movie to his name, and years longer without a buzzy release under his belt. But this all changes with Dolemite Is My Name, a Netflix-produced biopic about ‘70s legend Rudy Ray Moore. Murphy embodies the all-star comedian and filmmaker, who made waves in the public eye with his own alter-ego Dolemite, an expressive pimp who wears bright suits and dons a cane.

When CinemaBlend’s own Jeff McCobb sat down with Eddie Murphy at the Dolemite Is My Name press day, he asked the actor about Rudy Ray Moore. Does he remind him of anyone else in Hollywood? The SNL comedian seems to think his latest role was a one-of-a-kind man! Check out the interview:

The Beverly Hills Cop actor sounds really passionate about the legendary Rudy Ray Moore. Eddie Murphy said that he’d never come across anyone in his Hollywood career comparable to him. He explains how most people in the business have something special about them (you know… talent) that allows them to flourish in the industry. But Moore succeeds because he had confidence in himself, and that propelled him into fame and fortune.

Eddie Murphy spews a memorable quote too, describing how Rudy Ray Moore “turned shit into lemonade” instead of starting with the typical lemons. As Murphy teases, there is a certain charm to his moviemaking style that included mics that could be spotted on screen and punches obviously staged.

Rudy Ray Moore found success with his “Dolemite” and made a series of movies under the particular character, following a failing stand-up and music career. It’s fascinating to watch a real person run off belief in vision over a true eye for filmmaking, and this is what Dolemite Is My Name will entertain.

It’s perhaps comparable to Tommy Wiseau’s production of The Room, which became a cult classic after the mysterious director and star poured millions in the deliciously bad story and vision. It’s since become a popular “bad movie” still watched by millions, and was recently adapted into a biopic, The Disaster Artist, by James Franco.

Dolemite Is My Name has been praised to positive reviews by critics, most of which particularly welcoming Eddie Murphy back to the forefront! The movie also starring Keegan-Michael Key and Wesley Snipes has a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The release is Murphy’s first R-rated comedy in 20 years after prominently doing family films.

Eddie Murphy has received early Oscar buzz for starring in the film and plans to make a full-fledged comeback with a Coming to America sequel in December 2020 and another Beverly Hills Cop movie in the works.

Dolemite Is My Name is currently in select theaters and will be avaliable to stream on Netflix starting October 25.

Eddie Murphy is back! Not that Eddie Murphy ever really left. The comedian and actor has stayed consistently busy in a string of movies, many of which are considered family-friendly (like A Thousand Words, Imagine That and The Haunted Mansion). But Murphy marks a return to R-rated comedies with Craig Brewer’s Dolemite Is My Name, which is playing in theaters and coming to Netflix later this year.

We sat down with Murphy on behalf of Dolemite Is My Name to find out why he shied away from the R-rated humor that defined the early part of his career, and the former Axel Foley explained to CinemaBlend:

As our own Jeff McCobb points out to Eddie Murphy, Dolemite Is My Name is the first R-rated comedy the man has made in two decades. You have to go all the way back to Life, released in 1999 and co-starring Martin Lawrence, to find Murphy’s last adult comedy. Now, he did do plenty of PG-13 movies since Life opened. But for those of us who grew up on early Eddie Murphy, it certainly felt like his approach to comedy had changed, and even softened.

When Eddie Murphy burst onto the scene in the early 1980s, he rocketed to superstardom thanks to edgy performances in movies like 48 Hours, Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America. Few were as red-hot as Murphy in his prime, and it seemed like there wasn’t anything he couldn’t do on screen.

Later, as his career evolved, Murphy struck gold in the family-friendly zone, morphing his comedy to fit massive hits like The Nutty Professor and the Shrek movies. The way Murphy tells it, the industry shifted to that safer tone in comedy, to appeal to larger audiences, and he rode that wave to success.

For Dolemite, Eddie Murphy returns to his mature comedic roots to play Rudy Ray Moore, a comedian and filmmaker who conceived of an original character – the articulate pimp, Dolemite – then constructed a series of absurd movies around him in the 1970s. The movie has been burning up the film festival circuit, making it a welcome return to this style of comedy for Murphy. Here he is talking about R-rated comedies, and his role in them:

Dolemite Is My Name is in a few theaters in limited release, and will be on Netflix on October 25.

In recent years, it hasn’t been fun seeing Eddie Murphy on the big screen. In fact, one could argue that “depressing” is an apt adjective. At the height of his powers, Murphy regularly proved to be one of the funniest and most entertaining performers on the planet, consistently doing works that were deemed instant classics – but that special spark has been absent for most of the last two decades. And what has made the whole situation particularly sad is the knowledge that talent doesn’t just disappear; it simply becomes underutilized.

Because of this, there has long been acknowledged the possibility that everything could be fixed. With just one legitimately great film providing the right material, Eddie Murphy could re-write his modern profile, and demonstrate that he still has all the brilliant energy and captivating charisma that led to amazing movies like Coming To America and Beverly Hills Cop. Obviously it’s a scenario that has required a lot of patience from fans, but here’s the good news: that legitimately great film has now arrived, and it’s director Craig Brewer’s Dolemite Is My Name.

Portraying Rudy Ray Moore, a legendary entertainer whose work ethic should have resulted in his image being next to the word “Hustle” in the dictionary, Eddie Murphy delivers what is not just his best performance in a long time, but one of the best of his career – and it doesn’t hurt that the rest of the film is pretty damn great as well. It’s a story that is equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, not only giving its star a beautiful opportunity to shine brightly, but also weaving in an impressive message about the power of perseverance.

Based on the true story, the film introduces audiences to Rudy Ray Moore as an aging, paunchy performer who dreams big, but is stuck working as an assistant manager at a record store in Los Angeles. He struggles to get his music played on the radio, and has his material is kept limited while performing as an MC at a local club. But everything starts to change when he gets the inspiration to create a new on-stage character named Dolemite.

Putting on a wig, sporting a cane, and dressing in brightly colored suits, he devises an entire new routine basically centered around vulgar rhyming, and audiences go crazy for it. Signing a record contract with a small company, he produces multiple hit albums, and starts doing touring shows in clubs around the country.

As successful as he is, though, Rudy knows that his audience is limited, and he craves the ability to show what he can do to the entire world. And after one fateful night at the local cinema, he realizes exactly what he needs to do. Asking favors of all his friends, and utilizing every single resource he has, he works hard to bring his vision of a Dolemite movie to life – experiencing a wide variety of highs and lows along the way.

Eddie Murphy is hardly the first actor to make this kind of “comeback movie,” but there is also something special in seeing the comedian play someone who has such remarkable ambition and drive – elements that we simply haven’t seen from Murphy in a lot of his recent films, regardless of character. It feels like the responsibility of playing Moore brought something extra to the table for him, and the result is that he brought his A-game to the production. And it’s not just a great performance that sees the actor fully encapsulate the role, but he’s also hysterical – be it on stage delivering his routine, or engaging in some of the worst on-screen kung fu you’ve ever seen.

The excellent performance is far from singular in Dolemite Is My Name, however. Obviously the nature of the movie being a biopic puts Murphy front and center, but Craig Brewer also surrounds his star with a collection of fantastic supporting performances. Portraying hyper-cynical actor/director D'Urville Martin, Wesley Snipes actually comes impressively close to stealing the movie away from Murphy, regularly playing wide-eyed and flabbergasted at the patent ridiculousness of the Dolemite set, and getting big laughs in return. And while the don’t have a ton to do in the narrative, Craig Robinson, Tituss Burgess, Mike Epps, Da'Vine Joy Randolph , and Keegan-Michael Key make up Moore’s inner circle, and provide not just a lot of funny, but also a special energy from their comradery.

On a broader level, Dolemite Is My Name is also just great fun to watch from a cinephile perspective, as it does a wonderful job capturing the unique magic and chaos of filmmaking. The story behind the Blaxploitation classic at the center of the plot is truly a wild one, as it was made on a shoestring budget by a crew of total amateurs, and the amount of passion felt for the whole process is palpable as Moore puts out fire after fire trying to realize his vision. It’s clearly made by people who love and understand the power of movies, and it’s infectious.

It’s almost a shame that Dolemite Is My Name is primarily going to be only available on Netflix, as it’s a tremendous crowd-pleaser that’s even better enjoyed with an audience rolling with waves of laughter. To get the full experience, you may want to pull a Rudy Ray Moore-esque move and fill your living room up with people for a viewing party, much like he did when recording his comedy albums. Like the making of Dolemite, it may be a whole lot of work, but it will be entirely worth it in the end.

Bring on the scary Halloween content! What good is a streaming service if they can’t inundate us with horror content during the month of October? We’re all very busy planning our terrifying binge marathons, and we need companies like Netflix to keep us up late at night, wondering what’s crawling under our couches or waiting for us in our bedroom closets.

Don’t care for Halloween scares? All good, boo. Netflix also has plenty of alternate options coming your way in October, including a glut of classic Will Smith movies, new seasons of their popular original television programs, and the return of Breaking Bad. Sort of. Here’s what’s coming to Netflix in October.

Week of October 4

93 days – 10/01/19

A.M.I. – 10/01/19

Along Came a Spider – 10/01/19

Bad Boys – 10/01/19

Bad Boys II – 10/01/19

Blow – 10/01/19

Bring It On, Ghost: Season 1 – 10/01/19

Carmen Sandiego: Season 2 -- NETFLIX FAMILY – 10/01/19

Charlie's Angels – 10/01/19

Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle – 10/01/19

Cheese in the Trap: Season 1 – 10/01/19

Chicago Typewriter: Season 1 – 10/01/19

Crash – 10/01/19

Exit Wounds – 10/01/19

Good Burger – 10/01/19

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay – 10/01/19

Honey 2 – 10/01/19

House of the Witch – 10/01/19

Lagos Real Fake Life – 10/01/19

Men in Black II – 10/01/19

Moms at War – 10/01/19

Nikki Glaser: Bangin’ -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/01/19

No Reservations – 10/01/19

Ocean's Thirteen – 10/01/19

Ocean's Twelve – 10/01/19

One Direction: This Is Us – 10/01/19

Payday – 10/01/19

Rugrats in Paris: The Movie – 10/01/19

Scream 2 – 10/01/19

Senna – 10/01/19

Signal: Season 1 – 10/01/19

Sin City – 10/01/19

Sinister Circle – 10/01/19

Supergirl – 10/01/19

Superman Returns – 10/01/19

Surf's Up – 10/01/19

The Bucket List – 10/01/19

The Flintstones – 10/01/19

The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas – 10/01/19

The Island – 10/01/19

The Pursuit of Happyness – 10/01/19

The Rugrats Movie – 10/01/19

The Time Traveler's Wife – 10/01/19

Tomorrow with You: Season 1 – 10/01/19

Trainspotting – 10/01/19

Troy – 10/01/19

Tunnel: Season 1 – 10/01/19

Unaccompanied Minors – 10/01/19

Walking Out – 10/01/19

Living Undocumented -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/02/19

Ready to Mingle (Solteras) -- NETFLIX FILM – 10/02/19

Rotten: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/02/19

Seis Manos -- NETFLIX ANIME – 10/03/19

Big Mouth: Season 3 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/04/19

Creeped Out: Season 2 -- NETFLIX FAMILY – 10/04/19

In the Tall Grass -- NETFLIX FILM – 10/04/19

Peaky Blinders: Season 5 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/04/19

Raising Dion -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/04/19

Super Monsters: Season 3 -- NETFLIX FAMILY – 10/04/19

Super Monsters: Vida's First Halloween -- NETFLIX FAMILY – 10/04/19

Week of October 11

Legend Quest: Masters of Myth -- NETFLIX FAMILY -- 10/05/19

Match! Tennis Juniors -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/07/19

The Water Diviner -- 10/07/19

Deon Cole: Cole Hearted -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/08/19

The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-ween -- NETFLIX FAMILY -- 10/08/19

After Rhythm + Flow -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/09/19

Schitt's Creek: Season 5 -- 10/10/19

Ultramarine Magmell -- NETFLIX ANIME -- 10/10/19

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie -- NETFLIX TELEVISION EVENT – 10/11/19

The Forest of Love -- NETFLIX FILM – 10/11/19

Fractured -- NETFLIX FILM – 10/11/19

Haunted: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/11/19

Insatiable: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/11/19

La influencia -- NETFLIX FILM – 10/11/19

Plan Coeur: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/11/19

The Awakenings of Motti Wolenbruch -- NETFLIX FILM – 10/11/19

YooHoo to the Rescue: Season 2 -- NETFLIX FAMILY – 10/11/19

Week of October 18

Banlieusards -- NETFLIX FILM – 10/12/19

Dark Crimes – 10/15/19

Ghosts of Sugar Land -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/16/19

Sinister 2 – 10/16/19

The Karate Kid – 10/17/19

THE UNLISTED -- NETFLIX FAMILY – 10/17/19

The Yard (Avlu) -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/18/19

Baby: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/18/19

Eli -- NETFLIX FILM – 10/18/19

Interior Design Masters -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/18/19

The House of Flowers: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/18/19

The Laundromat -- NETFLIX FILM – 10/18/19

Living with Yourself -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/18/19

MeatEater: Season 8 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/18/19

Mighty Little Bheem: Diwali -- NETFLIX FAMILY – 10/18/19

Seventeen -- NETFLIX FILM – 10/18/19

Spirit Riding Free: Pony Tales Collection 2 -- NETFLIX FAMILY – 10/18/19

Tell Me Who I Am -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/18/19

Toon: Seasons 1-2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/18/19

Unnatural Selection -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/18/19

Upstarts -- NETFLIX FILM – 10/18/19

Week of October 25

Men in Black – 10/19/19

Echo in the Canyon – 10/21/19

Free Fire – 10/21/19

Jenny Slate: Stage Fright -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/22/19

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/23/19

Dancing with the Birds -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/23/19

Daybreak -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/24/19

Revenge of Pontianak – 10/24/19

A Tale of Love and Darkness – 10/25/19

Assimilate – 10/25/19

Brigada Costa del Sol -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/25/19

Brotherhood -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/25/19

Dolemite Is My Name -- NETFLIX FILM – 10/25/19

Greenhouse Academy: Season 3 -- NETFLIX FAMILY – 10/25/19

The Kominsky Method: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/25/19

Monzon -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/25/19

Nailed It! France (C'est du gâteau!) -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/25/19

Nailed It! Spain (Niquelao!) -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/25/19

Prank Encounters -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/25/19

Rattlesnake -- NETFLIX FILM – 10/25/19

It Takes a Lunatic -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/25/19

Week of October 31

A 3 Minute Hug -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/28/19

Little Miss Sumo -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/28/19

Shine On with Reese: Season 1 – 10/28/19

Arsenio Hall: Smart & Classy -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/29/19

Flavorful Origins: Yunnan Cuisine -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/30/19

Kengan Ashura: Part ll -- NETFLIX ANIME – 10/31/19

Nowhere Man -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 10/31/19

Raging Bull – 10/31/19

The shift continues at Netflix away from archival programming to the service’s original works, something that has been happening over the years but now seems to be in full swing. While it’s fun to be able to catch old titles like Scream 2 or the Bad Boys movies on the streaming giant, we are far more excited for the original programming on the Netflix slate this upcoming month than we are for anything else.

That includes the return of Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) in a continuation of the Breaking Bad saga, called El Camino. It also means the return of Eddie Murphy to starring roles in the Blaxploitation comedy Dolemite is my Name. Or course, we’ll also be dialing up Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull when it drops on October 31, because that’s a masterpiece and is worth watching every time it’s available.

As usual, the lineup you see above is subject to availability and changes. Make sure that you check your regional Netflix lineup, to know for sure that the titles me list above are going to be available in your area of operation.

Although Eddie Murphy’s name still carries weight in the Hollywood sphere, it’s been a while since he’s been directly in the public eye, but that’s soon changing. Along with Coming to America 2 arriving in December 2020, last year he struck up a partnership with Netflix to start in Dolemite Is My Name, the biographical comedy about comedian and actor Rudy Ray Moore.

Now you can watch the first trailer for this Netflix original that shows off Murphy alongside a heavy-hitting cast. Take a look!

As you can see, Netflix, Eddie Murphy (who also produced the movie) and director Craig Brewer (who’s also working with Murphy on Coming to America 2) did not skimp on the talent for Dolemite Is My Name. Murphy is accompanied by the likes of Wesley Snipes, Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Epps, Craig Robinson, Titus Burgess, Da’vine Joy Randolph and Snoop Dog, as well as T.I., Chris Rock and Ron Cephas Jones, who weren’t present in this trailer.

Wow, what a stacked lineup!

As for the premise, Dolemite Is My Name (written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski) follows Rudy Ray Moore’s journey to becoming a comedy star, initially hoping to accomplish that by putting out a comedy record. To that end, he creates the pimp character Dolemite, who loves to rhyme and spout out raunchy routines (“Dolemite is my name, and fucking up motherfuckers is my game!”).

Unfortunately for Rudy Ray Moore, while folks seem to like his live Dolemite shows, when it comes time to put out that comedy record, naturally it’s incredibly difficult to sell and promote in 1970s America given the filthy material. Not to be deterred, Mr. Moore decides to bring Dolemite to a cinematic setting, though that’s hardly an easy endeavor either. For instance, the only way he can gets Wesley Snipes’ D’Urville Martin to come aboard is if he also gets to direct.

From the blaxploitation to the kung-fu action, both of which were all the rage in the ‘70s, those Dolemite movies are wild, though hardly fine examples of smooth productions. In any case, it’s good to see Eddie Murphy back in a comedic role that simultaneously shines a light on a 20th century entertainer some folks might not have heard of before.

It’s safe to say that Netflix has had a mixed record when it comes to its original movies, certainly when compared to its TV offerings. Still, Dolemite Is My Name looks to be something special, and if it ends up being critically well-received, perhaps this could translate to awards consideration, namely for Eddie Murphy. He was previously nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as James “Thunder” Early in 2006’s Dreamgirls.

Dolemite Is My Name doesn’t have an official Netflix release date yet, but it will premiere on the streaming service and in select theaters this fall, as well as be shown at the Toronto International Film Festival next month. If you’re curious about what’s hitting the big screen for the rest of the year, look through our 2019 release schedule.

This may come as a surprise, but comedy icon Eddie Murphy and action star Wesley Snipes have never done a movie together. The two enjoyed great success in the 1990s on the big screen, just in different genres, with Eddie Murphy delivering the laughs in movies like The Nutty Professor and Bowfinger, and Wesley Snipes delivering some punishment in Demolition Man and Blade. But now these two actors will finally be teaming up, as Wesley Snipes has joined Eddie Murphy for the upcoming Netflix movie Dolemite Is My Name!

The film from Hustle & Flow director Craig Brewer, is a biopic about comedian, film producer, actor and singer Rudy Ray Moore. The edgy comedian, known for his raunchy rhymes about pimps and prostitutes, broke through in Hollywood in the 1970s thanks in part to the success of his underground records, the proceeds of which he used to fund the film Dolemite. The Blaxploitation film told the story of a pimp named Dolemite who is wrongly imprisoned and employs his harem of prostitutes, who are martial arts experts, to make things right. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Wesley Snipes will play D'Urville Martin, the actor who wound up directing Dolemite.

Wesley Snipes joins an already strong cast that, in addition to Eddie Murphy, includes Mike Epps, Craig Robinson, Tituss Burgess and Da'Vine Joy Randolph. Dolemite Is My Name! is written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, whose credits include Ed Wood, Man on the Moon and 1408.

A good biopic is always interesting, as such films are often the kinds of movies that get awards consideration. This sounds like the perfect film for all involved, too. The story of Rudy Ray Moore is a fascinating one, as he was a true character who rose from humble beginnings to leave a lasting impression on comedy. He was also hugely influential on rap as well due to his rhymes and their explicit subject matter.

Neither Eddie Murphy nor Wesley Snipes have done a lot lately, so it will be good to see these two together in a film that will probably be entertaining, but will also allow them to show off their considerable acting talents. Wesley Snipes character, D'Urville Martin, is described in THR's report as "an arrogant actor and alcoholic," which sounds like he and Eddie Murphy's Rudy Ray Moore may be having some entertaining head butting on the set of the movie. And for Eddie Murphy, getting to play a character that is so raunchy harkens back to the comedian's early, more foul-mouthed career before he started doing family films like Dr. Dolittle. This is also something of a passion project for Eddie Murphy, so I think we can expect something special from him here.

Netflix is aiming to launch Dolemite Is My Name! in 2019. Check out our guide to see everything heading to Netflix this year, and for all the latest in movie news, keep it locked to CinemaBlend.

Eddie Murphy has become an increasingly rare sight on the silver screen these days. Though he was arguably the biggest movie star in the world back in the 1980s, he has since become far more selective about the roles he picks and the projects that he signs onto as an actor. That makes developments like these so great to see, as Eddie Murphy has officially signed on to portray Rudy Ray Moore in a longtime passion project for Murphy over at Netflix.

Eddie Murphy has reportedly been gunning to take on this role for quite a while, and now he will finally get his chance. Stepping into the shoes of Dolemite star Rudy Ray Moore, Dolemite Is My Name will see the comedian chronicle the life of the comedian/actor became iconic for his portrayal of the kung-fu savvy pimp in the 1970s. Behind the scenes, Dolemite Is My Name will be directed by Hustle & Flow director Craig Brewer, who will work from a script penned by Big Eyes screenwriters Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski. In addition to starring in the film, Murphy will also produce along with John Davis and John Fox.

To get a sense of the persona that Eddie Murphy is about to inhabit in Dolemite is My Name, you can check out a trailer for the original Dolemite, below!

The Deadline report of Eddie Murphy's portrayal of Rudy Ray Moore in Dolemite Is My Name seems particularly intriguing and exciting when we consider the fact that the Saturday Night Live alum has not done much acting over the course of the last few years. His most recent foray into the acting world was his understated role in Mr. Church in 2016, and his latest project before that was 2012's A Thousand Words. Murphy has become decidedly choosey about the projects that he opts to sign onto, so we will have to wait and see how Dolemite Is My Name turns out when it finally premieres.

With all of that said, Dolemite Is My Name is not the only iron that Eddie Murphy reportedly has in the fire right now. Specifically, last year we wrote about the rumored development of Beverly Hills Cop 4, which may or may not be looking at 21 Jump Street star Channing Tatum or Venom star Tom Hardy to take on a villainous role. We still don't know where and when that long-dormant project will finally come to fruition, but it's evident that Murphy still has a few projects that he's keen to work on in the current era of his career.

CinemaBlend will bring you more information about Dolemite Is My Name, and Eddie Murphy's involvement in the film as new details are made available to us. The film is set to begin production on June 12. Until we learn more about the development of Dolemite Is My Name, check out our 2018 movie premiere guide and our 2018 Netflix premiere guide to stay in-the-loop on what's coming for the rest of this year!