Coming to America (1988)

Coming to America
Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $128,152,301Details
International Box Office $160,647,699Details
Worldwide Box Office $288,800,000
Home Market Performance
Est. Domestic Blu-ray Sales $250,103 Details
Total Est. Domestic Video Sales $250,103
Further financial details...

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$21,404,420 (16.7% of total gross)
Legs:5.99 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:44.4% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Theater counts:2,064 opening theaters/2,064 max. theaters, 7.5 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $336,126,954

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 501-600) 549 $128,152,301
All Time International Box Office (Rank 601-700) 672 $160,647,699
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 501-600) 595 $288,800,000
All Time Domestic Box Office for R Movies 93 $128,152,301
All Time International Box Office for R Movies (Rank 101-200) 102 $160,647,699
All Time Worldwide Box Office for R Movies 90 $288,800,000

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon
iTunes:iTunes
Google Play:Google Play
Netflix:Netflix

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: June 29th, 1988 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures
Video Release: June 3rd, 2008 by Warner Home Video
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 116 minutes
Franchise: Coming to America
Comparisons: vs. 22 Jump Street
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Prince/Princess, Same Actor, Multiple Roles, Culture Clash, African Americans, Romantic Comedy, Romance, Arranged Marriage
Source:Original Screenplay
Genre:Romantic Comedy
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Contemporary Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Eddie Murphy Production, Paramount Pictures
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
Top Romantic Comedy Weekend Domestic 37 $21,404,420 Jul 1, 1988 5
Independence Day (All Movies, 3-Day) 62 $21,404,420 Jul 1, 1988 5
Independence Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 32 $57,234,689 Jul 1, 1988 5
Independence Day (Opening, 3-Day) 37 $21,404,420 Jul 1, 1988 5
Independence Day (Opening, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 26 $57,234,689 Jul 1, 1988 5

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 501-600) 549 $128,152,301
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 201-300) 256 $336,126,954
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 301-400) 337 $128,152,301
Top 1988 Movies at the Domestic Box Office 3 $128,152,301
All Time Domestic Box Office for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 201-300) 221 $128,152,301
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 301-400) 353 $128,152,301
All Time Domestic Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 101-200) 165 $128,152,301
All Time Domestic Box Office for Romantic Comedy Movies 12 $128,152,301
All Time Domestic Box Office for R Movies 93 $128,152,301
All Time Domestic Box Office for Paramount Pictures Movies 69 $128,152,301

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jul 1, 1988 1 $21,404,420   2,064 $10,370   $28,409,497 1
Jul 8, 1988 1 $13,342,707 -38% 2,064 $6,464   $49,497,282 2
Jul 15, 1988 1 $10,417,790 -22% 2,064 $5,047   $66,732,490 3
Jul 22, 1988 2 $8,886,442 -15% 2,064 $4,305   $81,234,946 4
Jul 29, 1988 3 $6,430,730 -28% 1,902 $3,381   $92,011,700 5
Aug 5, 1988 4 $5,065,482 -21% 1,786 $2,836   $100,477,310 6
Aug 12, 1988 7 $3,611,470 -29% 1,481 $2,439   $106,688,022 7
Aug 19, 1988 9 $2,512,639 -30% 1,273 $1,974   $111,133,227 8
Sep 16, 1988 10 $1,304,208   830 $1,571   $120,794,325 12

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jul 1, 1988 1 $29,149,498   2,064 $14,123   $36,154,575 2
Jul 8, 1988 1 $20,160,125 -31% 2,064 $9,768   $56,314,700 3
Jul 15, 1988 1 $16,033,804 -20% 2,064 $7,768   $72,348,504 4
Jul 22, 1988 2 $13,232,466 -17% 2,064 $6,411   $85,580,970 5
Jul 29, 1988 3 $9,830,858 -26% 1,902 $5,169   $95,411,828 6
Aug 5, 1988 5 $7,664,724 -22% 1,786 $4,292   $103,076,552 7
Aug 12, 1988 6 $5,544,036 -28% 1,481 $3,743   $108,620,588 8

International Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time International Box Office (Rank 601-700) 672 $160,647,699
All Time International Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 401-500) 411 $160,647,699
Top 1988 Movies at the International Box Office 3 $160,647,699
All Time International Box Office for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 201-300) 287 $160,647,699
All Time International Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 401-500) 427 $160,647,699
All Time International Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 101-200) 189 $160,647,699
All Time International Box Office for Romantic Comedy Movies 18 $160,647,699
All Time International Box Office for R Movies (Rank 101-200) 102 $160,647,699
All Time International Box Office for Paramount Pictures Movies 62 $160,647,699

Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 501-600) 595 $288,800,000
All Time Worldwide Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 301-400) 348 $288,800,000
Top 1988 Movies at the Worldwide Box Office 3 $288,800,000
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 201-300) 247 $288,800,000
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 301-400) 373 $288,800,000
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 101-200) 158 $288,800,000
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Romantic Comedy Movies 14 $288,800,000
All Time Worldwide Box Office for R Movies 90 $288,800,000
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Paramount Pictures Movies 69 $288,800,000

Weekly US Blu-ray Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week		% ChangeTotal
Units		Spending
this
Week		Total
Spending		Weeks
in
Release
Mar 7, 2021134,418 7,981$45,815$82,763666
Mar 14, 2021196,196+40% 14,177$64,253$147,016667

Our DVD and Blu-ray sales estimates are based on weekly retail surveys, which we use to build a weekly market share estimate for each title we are tracking. The market share is converted into a weekly sales estimate based on industry reports on the overall size of the market, including reports published in Media Play News.

For example, if our weekly retail survey estimates that a particular title sold 1% of all units that week, and the industry reports sales of 1,500,000 units in total, we will estimate 15,000 units were sold of that title. The consumer spending estimate is based on the average sales price for the title in the retailers we survey.

We refine our estimates from week to week as more data becomes available. In particular, we adjust weekly sales figures for the quarter once the total market estimates are published by the Digital Entertainment Group. Figures will therefore fluctuate each week, and totals for individual titles can go up or down as we update our estimates.

Because sales figures are estimated based on sampling, they will be more accurate for higher-selling titles.

Leading Cast

Eddie Murphy Clarence/Prince Akeem/Randy Watson/Saul

Supporting Cast

Arsenio Hall Semmi/Extremly Ugly Girl/Morris/Reverend Brown
James Earl Jones King Jaffe Joffer
John Amos
Madge Sinclair Queen Aoleon
Shari Headley Lisa McDowell
Paul Bates Oha
Eriq La Salle Darryl Jenks
Frankie Faison Landlord
Vanessa Bell Imani Izzi
Louie Anderson Maurice
Allison Dean Patrice McDowell
Sheila Johnson Lady-in-Waiting
Jake Steinfeld Cab Driver
Calvin Lockhart Colonel Izzi
Samuel L. Jackson Hold-up Man
Garcelle Beauvais Rose Bearer
Feather Feather Rose Bearer
Stephanie Simon Rose Bearer
Victoria Dillard Bather
Felicia Taylor Bather
Michele Watley Bather
Raymond D. Turner T-shirt Hawker
Billi Gordon Large Woman
Cuba Gooding, Jr. Boy Getting Haircut
Clint Smith Sweets
Ray Murphy Stu
Ruben Hudson Street Hustler
Paulette Banoza Soul Glo Woman
Clyde R. Jones Soul Glo Man
Patricia Matthews Devil Woman
Mary Bond Davis Big Stank Woman
Kara Young Stuck-up Girl
Carla Earle Tough Girl
Karen Renee Owens Ex-Siamese Twin/Dancer
Sharon Renee Owens Ex-Siamese Twin/Dancer
Lisa Gumora Kinky Girl
June Boykins Strange Woman
Janette Colon Fresh Peaches
Vanessa Colon Sugar Cube
Monique Mannen Boring Girl
Mindora Mimms Awareness Woman
Cynthia Finkley Awareness Woman
David Sosna Cartier Delivery Man
Vondie Curtis-Hall Basketball Game Vendor
Arthur Adams Mr. Jenks
Loni Kaye Harkless Mrs. Jenks
Montrose Hagins Grandma Jenks
Tonja Rivers Party Guest
Don Ameche Mortimer Duke
Ralph Bellamy Randolph Duke
Elaine Kagan Telegraph Lady
Michael Tadross Taxi Driver
Steve White Subway Guy
Helen Hanft Subway Lady
Birdie M. Hale Elderly Passenger

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

John Landis Director
Robert D. Wachs Producer
George Folsey, Jr. Producer
David Sheffield Screenwriter
Barry W. Blaustein Screenwriter
Eddie Murphy Story Creator
Leslie Belzberg Executive Producer
Mark Lipsky Executive Producer
Richard MacDonald Production Designer
Nile Rodgers Composer
David Sosna Associate Producer
David Sosna Assistant Director
William Watkins Unit Production Manager
Richard B. Lewis Art Director
Cheryal Kearney Set Decorator
Dan Von Blomberg Set Decorator
Woody Omens Director of Photography
Syd Dutton Visual Effects Designer
Bill Taylor Visual Effects Designer
Deborah Nadoolman Costume Designer
Francine Jamison-Tanchuck Costume Supervisor
Malcolm Campbell Editor
George Folsey, Jr. Editor
William B. Kaplan Sound Mixer
Larry Stensvold Re-recording Mixer
William Gazecki Re-recording Mixer
Bill Thiederman Re-recording Mixer
Rick Franklin Supervising Sound Editor
Paul Timothy Carden* Supervising Sound Editor
Mike Dobie Sound Editor
Lenny Geschke Sound Editor
Donald J. Malouf Sound Editor
Charles E. Smith Sound Editor
Daniel Allan Carlin Music Editor
Bernadine Anderson Makeup
Robert L. Stevenson Hairstylist
Rick Baker Special Make-up Effects
Nile Rodgers Song Writer
Nancy Huang Song Writer
Gerald Levert Song Writer
Marc Gordon Song Writer
Eddie Levert Song Writer
Allee Willis Song Writer
Danny Sembello Song Writer
Gardner Cole Song Writer
Jackie Burch Casting Director
John Sherrod Stunt Coordinator

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.


  1. Summary
  2. News
  3. Box Office
  4. International
  5. Video Sales
  6. Cast & Crew
  7. Trailer

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$21,404,420 (16.7% of total gross)
Legs:5.99 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:44.4% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Theater counts:2,064 opening theaters/2,064 max. theaters, 7.5 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $336,126,954

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 501-600) 549 $128,152,301
All Time International Box Office (Rank 601-700) 672 $160,647,699
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 501-600) 595 $288,800,000
All Time Domestic Box Office for R Movies 93 $128,152,301
All Time International Box Office for R Movies (Rank 101-200) 102 $160,647,699
All Time Worldwide Box Office for R Movies 90 $288,800,000

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon
iTunes:iTunes
Google Play:Google Play
Netflix:Netflix

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: June 29th, 1988 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures
Video Release: June 3rd, 2008 by Warner Home Video
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 116 minutes
Franchise: Coming to America
Comparisons: vs. 22 Jump Street
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Prince/Princess, Same Actor, Multiple Roles, Culture Clash, African Americans, Romantic Comedy, Romance, Arranged Marriage
Source:Original Screenplay
Genre:Romantic Comedy
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Contemporary Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Eddie Murphy Production, Paramount Pictures
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
Top Romantic Comedy Weekend Domestic 37 $21,404,420 Jul 1, 1988 5
Independence Day (All Movies, 3-Day) 62 $21,404,420 Jul 1, 1988 5
Independence Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 32 $57,234,689 Jul 1, 1988 5
Independence Day (Opening, 3-Day) 37 $21,404,420 Jul 1, 1988 5
Independence Day (Opening, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 26 $57,234,689 Jul 1, 1988 5

Leading Cast

Eddie Murphy Clarence/Prince Akeem/Randy Watson/Saul

Supporting Cast

Arsenio Hall Semmi/Extremly Ugly Girl/Morris/Reverend Brown
James Earl Jones King Jaffe Joffer
John Amos
Madge Sinclair Queen Aoleon
Shari Headley Lisa McDowell
Paul Bates Oha
Eriq La Salle Darryl Jenks
Frankie Faison Landlord
Vanessa Bell Imani Izzi
Louie Anderson Maurice
Allison Dean Patrice McDowell
Sheila Johnson Lady-in-Waiting
Jake Steinfeld Cab Driver
Calvin Lockhart Colonel Izzi
Samuel L. Jackson Hold-up Man
Garcelle Beauvais Rose Bearer
Feather Feather Rose Bearer
Stephanie Simon Rose Bearer
Victoria Dillard Bather
Felicia Taylor Bather
Michele Watley Bather
Raymond D. Turner T-shirt Hawker
Billi Gordon Large Woman
Cuba Gooding, Jr. Boy Getting Haircut
Clint Smith Sweets
Ray Murphy Stu
Ruben Hudson Street Hustler
Paulette Banoza Soul Glo Woman
Clyde R. Jones Soul Glo Man
Patricia Matthews Devil Woman
Mary Bond Davis Big Stank Woman
Kara Young Stuck-up Girl
Carla Earle Tough Girl
Karen Renee Owens Ex-Siamese Twin/Dancer
Sharon Renee Owens Ex-Siamese Twin/Dancer
Lisa Gumora Kinky Girl
June Boykins Strange Woman
Janette Colon Fresh Peaches
Vanessa Colon Sugar Cube
Monique Mannen Boring Girl
Mindora Mimms Awareness Woman
Cynthia Finkley Awareness Woman
David Sosna Cartier Delivery Man
Vondie Curtis-Hall Basketball Game Vendor
Arthur Adams Mr. Jenks
Loni Kaye Harkless Mrs. Jenks
Montrose Hagins Grandma Jenks
Tonja Rivers Party Guest
Don Ameche Mortimer Duke
Ralph Bellamy Randolph Duke
Elaine Kagan Telegraph Lady
Michael Tadross Taxi Driver
Steve White Subway Guy
Helen Hanft Subway Lady
Birdie M. Hale Elderly Passenger

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

John Landis Director
Robert D. Wachs Producer
George Folsey, Jr. Producer
David Sheffield Screenwriter
Barry W. Blaustein Screenwriter
Eddie Murphy Story Creator
Leslie Belzberg Executive Producer
Mark Lipsky Executive Producer
Richard MacDonald Production Designer
Nile Rodgers Composer
David Sosna Associate Producer
David Sosna Assistant Director
William Watkins Unit Production Manager
Richard B. Lewis Art Director
Cheryal Kearney Set Decorator
Dan Von Blomberg Set Decorator
Woody Omens Director of Photography
Syd Dutton Visual Effects Designer
Bill Taylor Visual Effects Designer
Deborah Nadoolman Costume Designer
Francine Jamison-Tanchuck Costume Supervisor
Malcolm Campbell Editor
George Folsey, Jr. Editor
William B. Kaplan Sound Mixer
Larry Stensvold Re-recording Mixer
William Gazecki Re-recording Mixer
Bill Thiederman Re-recording Mixer
Rick Franklin Supervising Sound Editor
Paul Timothy Carden* Supervising Sound Editor
Mike Dobie Sound Editor
Lenny Geschke Sound Editor
Donald J. Malouf Sound Editor
Charles E. Smith Sound Editor
Daniel Allan Carlin Music Editor
Bernadine Anderson Makeup
Robert L. Stevenson Hairstylist
Rick Baker Special Make-up Effects
Nile Rodgers Song Writer
Nancy Huang Song Writer
Gerald Levert Song Writer
Marc Gordon Song Writer
Eddie Levert Song Writer
Allee Willis Song Writer
Danny Sembello Song Writer
Gardner Cole Song Writer
Jackie Burch Casting Director
John Sherrod Stunt Coordinator

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 501-600) 549 $128,152,301
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 201-300) 256 $336,126,954
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 301-400) 337 $128,152,301
Top 1988 Movies at the Domestic Box Office 3 $128,152,301
All Time Domestic Box Office for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 201-300) 221 $128,152,301
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 301-400) 353 $128,152,301
All Time Domestic Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 101-200) 165 $128,152,301
All Time Domestic Box Office for Romantic Comedy Movies 12 $128,152,301
All Time Domestic Box Office for R Movies 93 $128,152,301
All Time Domestic Box Office for Paramount Pictures Movies 69 $128,152,301

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jul 1, 1988 1 $21,404,420   2,064 $10,370   $28,409,497 1
Jul 8, 1988 1 $13,342,707 -38% 2,064 $6,464   $49,497,282 2
Jul 15, 1988 1 $10,417,790 -22% 2,064 $5,047   $66,732,490 3
Jul 22, 1988 2 $8,886,442 -15% 2,064 $4,305   $81,234,946 4
Jul 29, 1988 3 $6,430,730 -28% 1,902 $3,381   $92,011,700 5
Aug 5, 1988 4 $5,065,482 -21% 1,786 $2,836   $100,477,310 6
Aug 12, 1988 7 $3,611,470 -29% 1,481 $2,439   $106,688,022 7
Aug 19, 1988 9 $2,512,639 -30% 1,273 $1,974   $111,133,227 8
Sep 16, 1988 10 $1,304,208   830 $1,571   $120,794,325 12

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Jul 1, 1988 1 $29,149,498   2,064 $14,123   $36,154,575 2
Jul 8, 1988 1 $20,160,125 -31% 2,064 $9,768   $56,314,700 3
Jul 15, 1988 1 $16,033,804 -20% 2,064 $7,768   $72,348,504 4
Jul 22, 1988 2 $13,232,466 -17% 2,064 $6,411   $85,580,970 5
Jul 29, 1988 3 $9,830,858 -26% 1,902 $5,169   $95,411,828 6
Aug 5, 1988 5 $7,664,724 -22% 1,786 $4,292   $103,076,552 7
Aug 12, 1988 6 $5,544,036 -28% 1,481 $3,743   $108,620,588 8

International Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time International Box Office (Rank 601-700) 672 $160,647,699
All Time International Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 401-500) 411 $160,647,699
Top 1988 Movies at the International Box Office 3 $160,647,699
All Time International Box Office for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 201-300) 287 $160,647,699
All Time International Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 401-500) 427 $160,647,699
All Time International Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 101-200) 189 $160,647,699
All Time International Box Office for Romantic Comedy Movies 18 $160,647,699
All Time International Box Office for R Movies (Rank 101-200) 102 $160,647,699
All Time International Box Office for Paramount Pictures Movies 62 $160,647,699

Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 501-600) 595 $288,800,000
All Time Worldwide Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 301-400) 348 $288,800,000
Top 1988 Movies at the Worldwide Box Office 3 $288,800,000
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Original Screenplay Movies (Rank 201-300) 247 $288,800,000
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 301-400) 373 $288,800,000
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 101-200) 158 $288,800,000
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Romantic Comedy Movies 14 $288,800,000
All Time Worldwide Box Office for R Movies 90 $288,800,000
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Paramount Pictures Movies 69 $288,800,000

Weekly US Blu-ray Sales

DateRankUnits
this
Week		% ChangeTotal
Units		Spending
this
Week		Total
Spending		Weeks
in
Release
Mar 7, 2021134,418 7,981$45,815$82,763666
Mar 14, 2021196,196+40% 14,177$64,253$147,016667

Our DVD and Blu-ray sales estimates are based on weekly retail surveys, which we use to build a weekly market share estimate for each title we are tracking. The market share is converted into a weekly sales estimate based on industry reports on the overall size of the market, including reports published in Media Play News.

For example, if our weekly retail survey estimates that a particular title sold 1% of all units that week, and the industry reports sales of 1,500,000 units in total, we will estimate 15,000 units were sold of that title. The consumer spending estimate is based on the average sales price for the title in the retailers we survey.

We refine our estimates from week to week as more data becomes available. In particular, we adjust weekly sales figures for the quarter once the total market estimates are published by the Digital Entertainment Group. Figures will therefore fluctuate each week, and totals for individual titles can go up or down as we update our estimates.

Because sales figures are estimated based on sampling, they will be more accurate for higher-selling titles.