The Nutty Professor

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The Nutty Professor

PG-13

1996

1h 35m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

64%

Tomatometer

56 Reviews

44%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Brilliant and obese scientist Sherman Klump (Eddie Murphy) invents a miraculous weight-loss solution. After a date with chemistry student Carla Purty (Jada Pinkett) goes badly, a depressed Klump tries the solution on himself. Though he instantly loses 250 pounds, the side effects include a second personality: an obnoxiously self-assertive braggart who calls himself Buddy Love. Buddy proves to be more popular than Sherman, but his arrogance and bad behavior quickly spiral out of control.

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Critics Consensus

The Nutty Professor falls back on juvenile humor eagerly and often, but Eddie Murphy's consistently funny work in dual roles means more for audiences to love.

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

Jun 6, 2009

[Murphy] is able to invest his Professor Klump with an endearing dignity, give his lounge lizard alter ego, Buddy Love, an alligator's bite and then go on from there to play Klump's grandma. Also his mother, father and brother.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Mar 26, 2009

Murphy's most assured work in some time.

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Kevin McManus

Washington Post

Aug 20, 2002

This is good, seamless comedy.

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Robert Denerstein

Scripps Howard News Service

Jun 29, 2026

3/4

It can be rude and crude, but there are plenty of laughs in Eddie Murphy's remake of Jerry Lewis' 1963 signature work.

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Gary Wolcott

Tri-City Herald

Jun 29, 2026

4/5

Murphy is definitely back. He stretches in this film, and the rework of the script is superb.

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Sep 1, 2022

B

This cruder, more sexualized update of the Jerry Lewis classic is also more consistently funny and imaginative.

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Mr Hollywood

Sep 18, 2026

Funny moments. Great scenes with the family. Good to see on the big screen for its anniversary.

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Robert P

@Superbad 1 day ago

The Nutty Professor = a 2.5 star Movie!

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April C

@AChromeBird Sep 13, 2026

There are a mere handful of films I truly hate. This is one.

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Jarrin R

Sep 10, 2026

The Nutty Professor is a classic not only because it is funny but because it shows off the talent of Eddie Murphy. The man is able to embody so many different characters and still tell a complete story. Hats off to the special effects and make up team as well. nutty Professor has unlimited rewatchabilty.

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David G

@RT08520401 Sep 7, 2026

Who doesn't love this movie?

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TheMovieSearch R

@TheMovieSearch Sep 6, 2026

The Nutty Professor was a very funny movie, and Eddie Murphy is easily the biggest reason it works so well. He did an incredible job playing multiple characters and somehow gave each one their own personality, especially Sherman. You also get the iconic "Hercules, Hercules!" moment, which has become one of those unforgettable pieces of comedy that people still reference today. Moments like that helped make this movie so memorable and showcased just how talented Eddie Murphy was during this era of his career. I think the screenplay is ok. The story itself is fairly simple, but it doesn’t really need to be complicated because the performances are what carry the movie. Watching Eddie Murphy transform into all these completely different characters creates so many hilarious moments and gives the film its personality. Ultimately, The Nutty Professor is a fun and hilarious comedy that allowed audiences to see Eddie Murphy at his best. The characters, comedy, and performances on point

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Tom Shadyac

Director

Eddie Murphy

Professor Sherman Klump

Jada Pinkett Smith

Carla Purty

James Coburn

Harlan Hartley

Larry Miller

Dean Richmond

Dave Chappelle

Reggie Warrington

The Nutty Professor: Official Clip - Reggie Has Left the Building!

2:28

Now Playing

The Nutty Professor: Official Clip - Family Farts

2:01

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The Nutty Professor: Official Clip - Buddy's Big Apology

0:58

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The Nutty Professor: Official Clip - I'm Thin!

2:02

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The Nutty Professor: Official Clip - Heavy Kissing

0:30

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The Nutty Professor: Official Clip - He's Gonna Blow!

2:52

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The Nutty Professor: Official Clip - Chemistry with Carla

2:18

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The Nutty Professor: Official Clip - Klump Family Dinner

2:42

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The Nutty Professor: Official Clip - Klump vs. Love

2:17

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The Nutty Professor: Official Clip - Hamster Havoc

1:53

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Synopsis

Brilliant and obese scientist Sherman Klump (Eddie Murphy) invents a miraculous weight-loss solution. After a date with chemistry student Carla Purty (Jada Pinkett) goes badly, a depressed Klump tries the solution on himself. Though he instantly loses 250 pounds, the side effects include a second personality: an obnoxiously self-assertive braggart who calls himself Buddy Love. Buddy proves to be more popular than Sherman, but his arrogance and bad behavior quickly spiral out of control.

Director: Tom Shadyac
Producer: Russell Simmons, Brian Grazer
Screenwriter: Jerry Lewis, Bill Richmond, David Sheffield, Barry W. Blaustein, Tom Shadyac, Steve Oedekerk
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 28, 1996, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Sep 4, 2026
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $128.8M
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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