Netflix’s New Documentary Being Eddie Celebrates Eddie Murphy’s Rise, Comedy Legacy, and Nearly Fifty Years in Hollywood

Netflix’s new documentary Being Eddie takes a direct and detailed look at Eddie Murphy’s journey from his teenage stand-up days to becoming one of Hollywood’s most influential performers, arriving on the platform on November 12, 2025. Directed by Angus Wall, a two-time Oscar winner known for editing films like The Social Network, the documentary runs for 103 minutes and features reflections from Murphy along with commentary from some of the biggest names in comedy and entertainment.

The film highlights Murphy’s early career, showing how he was sharing stages with comics like Jerry Seinfeld when he was still a teenager. It moves quickly into his breakthrough on Saturday Night Live, where he became a standout immediately after graduating high school, cementing himself as one of the show’s most recognizable talents.

A major portion of the documentary revisits Murphy’s early film successes, including 48 Hours, Trading Places, Coming to America, and Beverly Hills Cop, which remains one of the most acclaimed comedy films of all time. The film acknowledges that Paramount considered a TV adaptation of Beverly Hills Cop and ultimately developed a fourth film after strong test results.

Being Eddie also dives into what might have been, including director John Landis revealing that the original vision for Trading Places paired Gene Wilder with Richard Pryor instead of Murphy and Dan Aykroyd. Landis recalls his reaction when studio executives suggested Eddie Murphy for the role, responding with a surprised “Who?” before Murphy ultimately reshaped the film’s legacy.

The documentary revisits Murphy’s work in Boomerang, directed by Reginald Hudlin, which centered a Black romantic lead pair at a time when such stories were not common in major studio films. Critics initially responded negatively, but the movie became the 18th highest-grossing film of 1992, proving its long-term impact.

The film addresses Murphy’s dramatic work as well, especially his Oscar-nominated role in Dreamgirls. His awards-season momentum was undercut when Norbit released during voting, a timing issue that many fans still cite as harmful, even though Murphy’s performance drew strong acclaim. The documentary also touches on his celebrated 2019 comeback in Dolemite Is My Name, which earned rave reviews despite being overlooked by the Academy.

Being Eddie includes Murphy’s reflections on his personal life, his confidence, and his ability to avoid the pitfalls that often plague long-running stars. Murphy openly says he has always “loved himself” and stayed away from the traps others fell into, offering viewers a rare sense of how he has navigated fame for nearly fifty years.

Originally, the documentary was meant to follow Murphy as he prepared for a return to stand-up, especially after his successful 2019 SNL hosting appearance. The pandemic halted those plans, which ultimately allowed the filmmakers to focus instead on Murphy’s real personality, his home life, and his candid thoughts about his career.

The documentary features appearances from Dave Chappelle, Jamie Foxx, Tracee Ellis Ross, Arsenio Hall, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Jerry Seinfeld, John Landis, Brian Grazer, Ruth Carter, Tracy Morgan, Kenan Thompson, Pete Davidson, and others who discuss Murphy’s influence and longevity. You can explore additional context through sources like the official Netflix announcement on Netflix Tudum.

Being Eddie ultimately positions Murphy as a once-in-a-generation performer whose work in stand-up, film, and television continues to shape comedy and popular culture. The documentary doesn’t try to over-complicate his story but instead presents a clear, straightforward celebration of a star whose impact remains undeniable.