Why a box-office smash was called the worst megahit of all time

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The 1986 fantasy comedy The Golden Child grossed nearly $80 million, yet it remains a polarizing relic of Hollywood excess. While audiences flocked to theaters, critics were deeply divided, with some praising its underlying sweetness and others dismissing it as a humorless, disjointed experiment that failed its own ambitious script.

Originally conceived by photographer Dennis Feldman as a serious detective story titled The Rose of Tibet, the project underwent a radical transformation when Paramount Pictures purchased the script for $330,000. Feldman envisioned a supernatural Raymond Chandler-style noir, but the studio pivoted to capitalize on the star power of Eddie Murphy. This shift toward a comedy-focused production frustrated Feldman, who later criticized director Michael Ritchie for failing to execute the material effectively.

The film's production was marked by significant creative friction, particularly regarding its musical identity. Composer John Barry, fresh off his success with Out of Africa, wrote an orchestral score that was ultimately replaced by Michel Colombier’s synthpop-heavy arrangement following poor test screenings. Despite these behind-the-scenes struggles, the film achieved commercial success, earning $79,817,937 at the domestic box office. However, this figure fell short of the studio's high expectations set by Murphy's previous hit, Beverly Hills Cop, which had grossed $234,760,478.

Critical reception remains starkly split. Roger Ebert awarded the film three out of four stars, highlighting Murphy’s comic persona and essential sweetness. Conversely, Leonard Maltin labeled it a 'BOMB,' questioning if anyone actually enjoyed the experience. Even Murphy himself later expressed disdain for the project, though he acknowledged its financial performance. Today, the film is remembered as a strange collision of genres, featuring a six-year-old girl, Jasmine Lauren Reate, in the titular role, and a villainous performance by Charles Dance that some devotees still cite as a favorite.

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