Trading Places

Play trailer

0:58

Trading Places

R

1983

1h 56m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

54 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Upper-crust executive Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd) and down-and-out hustler Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) are the subjects of a bet by successful brokers Mortimer (Don Ameche) and Randolph Duke (Ralph Bellamy). An employee of the Dukes, Winthorpe is framed by the brothers for a crime he didn't commit, with the siblings then installing the street-smart Valentine in his position. When Winthorpe and Valentine uncover the scheme, they set out to turn the tables on the Dukes.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Featuring deft interplay between Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, Trading Places is an immensely appealing social satire.

Read Critics Reviews

Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Mar 15, 2023

Trading Places cushions the social satire of its theme with broad comedy.

Go to Full Review

Derek Malcolm

Guardian

Aug 20, 2021

Trading Places, in this of all Hollywood years, is a joy to behold -- clever without being smart, affectionate without being sentimental, They can make movies like they used to after all.

Go to Full Review

Yardena Arar

Associated Press

Oct 23, 2018

Landis' direction is deft, but the sparkling performances are the real draw not only by Murphy and Aykroyd but also by Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy as the meddling oldsters, Denholm Elliott as the gentlemanly servant and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Go to Full Review

Noah Berlatsky

Everything is Horrible (Substack)

Jul 19, 2026

A cheerfully pointed parable about the unfairness of the capitalist system, which it presents as built on luck, prejudice and corruption.

Go to Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Jul 15, 2025

4/10

The pacing is too slow and the humor spread too thin to sustain this trite script, even if its box office takings relate the opposite, boosting the careers of virtually the entire cast.

Go to Full Review

Fico Cangiano

CineXpress Podcast

Dec 9, 2021

3.5/5

Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd are quite the duo in this funny Christmas film with some strong themes under its hood. [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Harriet T

@RT53571345 Sep 20, 2026

One of my top 5 movies of all time……. My must take to a desert island.

See more

Robert P

@Superbad Sep 16, 2026

Trading Places = a *4* star Movie!

See more

Vincent S

@Vin_E_At_The_Movies Jul 24, 2026

Trading Places is an intelligent, very funny comedy with outstanding performances by Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy and an all star cast led by Jamie Lee Curtis. This classic is one of the most quotable comedies and the story sucks you in also.

See more

Drew D.

@whatitdodrew Jun 3, 2026

It’s a decent film, except for the excessive nudity, the use of blackface, and the outlandish writing, even for a comedy. It’s still entertaining enough, but you have to remember that it’s from the 80s and therefore problematic.

See more

TheMovieSearch R

@TheMovieSearch Apr 22, 2026

Trading Places is a film that remains both entertaining and complicated when viewed through a modern lens. It’s undeniably funny and creative, with a strong premise centered on class, privilege, and perception, but some elements have not aged well and may feel uncomfortable to today’s audience. Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, and Jamie Lee Curtis all deliver standout performances that keep the film engaging. Murphy brings charisma and sharp comedic timing, while Aykroyd fully commits to his character’s transformation, and Curtis adds charm and balance to the story. The film’s satire was bold for its time, using humor to explore social status and stereotypes in a way that still carries meaning. However, certain scenes and language reflect its era and don’t translate as smoothly today. Overall, Trading Places is still worth watching. It’s a classic comedy with strong performances and a clever concept, even if parts of it feel dated by modern standards.

See more

Jalvzz ..

@jalvzz Apr 5, 2026

Bring back this type of comedy

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

John Landis

Director

Dan Aykroyd

Louis Winthorpe III

Eddie Murphy

Billy Ray Valentine

Ralph Bellamy

Randolph Duke

Don Ameche

Mortimer Duke

Denholm Elliott

Coleman

Trading Places: Official Clip - Down & Out Santa

1:41

Now Playing

Trading Places: Official Clip - The S-Car Go

1:53

Now Playing

Trading Places: Official Clip - Haggling at the Pawnshop

1:11

Now Playing

Trading Places: Official Clip - Those Men Wanted to Have Sex with Me

2:07

Now Playing

Trading Places: Official Clip - Pork Bellies Going Down

0:48

Now Playing

Trading Places: Official Clip - Very Bad Santa

1:59

Now Playing

Trading Places: Official Clip - The One Dollar Bet

1:42

Now Playing

Trading Places: Official Clip - I Can See!

1:30

Now Playing

Trading Places: Official Clip - You Want Me to Break Something Else?

0:46

Now Playing

Trading Places: Official Clip - It Was the Dukes

1:06

Now Playing

View more videos

Harlem Nights

28%

80%

Harlem Nights

Watchlist

Up in Smoke

45%

82%

Up in Smoke

Watchlist

Eddie Murphy Raw

79%

85%

Eddie Murphy Raw

Watchlist

Crazy People

35%

64%

Crazy People

Watchlist

Vampire in Brooklyn

14%

31%

Vampire in Brooklyn

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Ed Helms’ Five Favorite Films

Watch Online: Pan’s Labyrinth, Clueless, Before Midnight, and More Certified Fresh Picks on Netflix and Amazon Prime

New Certified Fresh Movies on Netflix and Amazon Prime: E.T., Indiana Jones, Superman, and More

The Naughty Santas of Cinema

23:09

Now Playing

Trading Places: Teaser Trailer 1

0:58

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Upper-crust executive Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd) and down-and-out hustler Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) are the subjects of a bet by successful brokers Mortimer (Don Ameche) and Randolph Duke (Ralph Bellamy). An employee of the Dukes, Winthorpe is framed by the brothers for a crime he didn't commit, with the siblings then installing the street-smart Valentine in his position. When Winthorpe and Valentine uncover the scheme, they set out to turn the tables on the Dukes.

Director: John Landis
Producer: Aaron Russo
Screenwriter: Timothy Hyde Harris, Herschel Weingrod
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Cinema Group Ventures
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 6, 2016
Runtime: 1h 56m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings