Eddie Murphy’s Oscar-nominated comedy with 9% RT score finds new life on streaming 17 years later

The one led by Eddie Murphy Norbit, which was panned by critics, finds a second chance at streaming success 17 years later. Starring Murphy in various roles and Thandiwe Newton, the film followed the mild-mannered titular man plotting to dump his childhood sweetheart Kate (Newton) while married to Rasputia. Originally released in 2007, Norbit open to negative reviews from critics, receiving an abysmal 9% on Rotten Tomatoes and a muted response from audiences, but grossed a respectable $159 million against its $60 million budget and received an Oscar nomination for Best Achievement in Makeup.

Now streaming Main video, Norbit found a new life as is in 7th place on the streamer’s list of the 10 best films in the US at the time of writing. Leading the list is the Mark Wahlberg-led sci-fi thriller Infinite and followed by the Spanish zombie thriller Apocalypse Z: the beginning of the end second place, Kate Beckinsale Black Canary thirdly, the documentary Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words fourth, Peter Dinklage and Josh Brolin Brothers in 5th place and John Krasinski IF in nº 6.

Falling behind Murphy’s comedy in the streamer’s Top 10 films is an interesting mix of genres. In eighth place is another comedy, the Adam Sandler-led remake of The longest yardas well as the 2022 viral hit horror film Terrifying 2 in 9th place and Dev Patel’s acclaimed action thriller Monkey Man at number 10.

What does this mean for Norbit

Although 2007 proved to be a generally good year for cinema, with everything from David Fincher’s true crime mystery thriller Zodiac to the Coen brothers’ adaptation of There is no country for old people and Tim Burton Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Murphy’s Norbit it was something strange. Despite its modest critical success, the film emerged amid its live-action struggles except the previous year. dream girlswhich earned him a Golden Globe win and separated himself from the poorly rated Adventures of Pluto Nash, Daddy’s daycare and The haunted mansion.

Your new success on Prime Video It could be a sign that today’s streamer demographic wants comedies that are a little rougher. A film like Murphy’s Norbit It would probably have some trouble making it today because of its heavy reliance on stereotypes, but its eighth place on the top ten list proves there’s an audience for it.

That said, the other possible reason for NorbitThe new streaming hit Murphy’s recent resurgence in popularity with the public. Having initially started with his Golden Globe nomination in Dolemite is my namethe star recently found his biggest success with Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Fthe long-awaited fourth installment in the action-comedy franchise that quickly became a hit on Netflix. Between conversations Beverly Hills Cop 5 and his next return in Shrek 5It’s understandable that some are looking into Murphy’s past.

Our opinion on Norbit’s new success

Norbit can be difficult to watch because of its stereotype-based comedy. Even Murphy in impeccable costume and makeup can barely elicit a few laughs, if at all. When it was released, the critical reception of Norbit It was so bad that it even received eight Razzie Awards nominationsalso known as The Golden Raspberry Awards, satirical awards that recognize the worst films of the year, including the Worst Film.

The success of recent films such as The whalewhich performed admirably at the Oscars, including Brendan Fraser’s first win, has made jokes about obesity in movies harder to digest. However, Norbit Seventh place on Prime Video proves that the appetite for these jokes and films hasn’t completely disappeared, or that audiences are at least more forgiving when told by Murphy.

Source: Prime Video