Trading Places

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0:58

Trading Places

R

1983

1h 56m

Comedy

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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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

03/15/2023

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

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Derek Malcolm

Guardian

08/20/2021

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.

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Yardena Arar

Associated Press

10/23/2018

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.

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Noah Berlatsky

Everything is Horrible (Substack)

Jul 19

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

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

07/15/2025

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.

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Fico Cangiano

CineXpress Podcast

12/09/2021

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]

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Vincent S

@Vin_E_At_The_Movies Jul 24

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.

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Drew D.

@whatitdodrew Jun 3

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.

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TheMovieSearch R

@TheMovieSearch Apr 22

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.

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Jalvzz ..

@jalvzz Apr 5

Bring back this type of comedy

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Ry N

@RyGuy Dec 30

Billionaire brothers make a bet that people are products of their environment by framing one of their wealthy employees and giving a street-smart Eddie Murphy his job. The jokes were dated but it was a fun "get back" comedy.

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Jens B

@Jens97 Dec 24

Witzig, geistreich und böse – schöner Weihnachtsklassiker.

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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

Trading Places: Official Clip - The S-Car Go

1:53

Trading Places: Official Clip - Haggling at the Pawnshop

1:11

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

2:07

Trading Places: Official Clip - Pork Bellies Going Down

0:48

Trading Places: Official Clip - Very Bad Santa

1:59

Trading Places: Official Clip - The One Dollar Bet

1:42

Trading Places: Official Clip - I Can See!

1:30

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

0:46

Trading Places: Official Clip - It Was the Dukes

1:06

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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)