Eddie Murphy Raw (1987)

Eddie Murphy Raw is what it looks like when a comedian hits the stage at full voltage and simply refuses to let the room breathe—an arena-sized stand-up performance that still feels intimate because Murphy’s charisma is that overwhelming. He prowls, riffs, and detonates one killer observation after another, sliding effortlessly into dead-on impressions and big, physical storytelling that turns everyday memories and ‘80s romance into something mythic and hysterical. The vibe is bold, loud, and deliciously unfiltered, the kind of comedy that doesn’t ask permission before it goes for the laugh. Fair warning: it’s proudly raunchy and often shocking, but if you want to see Eddie Murphy at his peak—fearless, brilliant, and in total command—this is essential viewing.

Eddie Murphy Raw is trying to be a no-holds-barred showcase for Murphy at his loudest, loosest, and most charismatic, mixing sharp impressions with big, arena-sized storytelling about sex, relationships, and growing up. If you’re coming in with modern sensibilities, be warned: a lot of the material leans heavily on homophobic and misogynistic punchlines that can feel less “edgy” and more embarrassing or outright offensive now. It’s also unapologetically crude and can get repetitive, and the concert filming isn’t always flattering, occasionally pulling focus from what Murphy does best on stage. If you can treat it as a time capsule of 1980s stand-up and you’re there for pure performance energy, there’s still plenty of star power—just don’t expect it to age gracefully.