How a royal prince from Zamunda found love in a Queens fast-food restaurant

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the 1988 comedy Coming to America, Prince Akeem Joffer rejects his pampered life in the wealthy African nation of Zamunda. Seeking a bride who loves him for his character rather than his status, he travels to New York City, posing as a poor student to find his true match.

Directed by John Landis and starring Eddie Murphy, the film follows Akeem and his aide, Semmi, as they navigate life in Jackson Heights. To maintain his disguise, Akeem takes an entry-level job at McDowell's, a restaurant owned by Cleo McDowell, who spends his time dodging trademark infringement claims from McDonald's. Akeem eventually meets Lisa McDowell, Cleo's daughter, and finds the independent spirit he desires. However, his quest is complicated by Lisa's boyfriend, Darryl Jenks, and the eventual discovery of his royal identity by his parents, King Jaffe and Queen Aoleon, who arrive in New York to find him.

The production was marked by significant tension between Murphy and Landis. While they had previously collaborated on the 1983 hit Trading Places, their relationship soured during this project. Murphy, who had hired Landis, felt the director treated him like a child, while Landis later described Murphy's attitude during the shoot as difficult. Despite these personal clashes, the film was a massive commercial success. It grossed over $128 million in the United States and reached a worldwide total of approximately $288.7 million, becoming Paramount Pictures' highest-earning film of 1988.

Beyond its financial performance, the film became a showcase for Murphy and Arsenio Hall, who played multiple characters across different races and genders—a technique that became a hallmark of Murphy's later career. The production also featured notable cameos, including Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy reprising their roles from Trading Places as homeless men who receive a windfall from Akeem. While critics offered generally positive reviews, the film's path to release was not entirely smooth; Paramount famously cancelled press screenings after an initial negative reaction in New York City. Nevertheless, the story of the prince who chose love over his throne resonated with audiences, leading to a 2021 sequel, Coming 2 America.

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