Eddie Murphy: One Night Only (2012)

Eddie Murphy: One Night Only is less a stand-up set than a joyous victory lap, a brisk, affectionate celebration of a comic force who reshaped what “funny” could look and sound like on a big stage. It stitches together sharp clips, warm recollections, and lively guest appearances into a crowd-pleasing time capsule that reminds you why characters like Buckwheat, Gumby, Mr. Robinson, and that ferocious James Brown impression still feel electric. The vibe is upbeat and appreciative—like being invited to a party thrown by people who genuinely love comedy and want you to feel the spark, too. If you’re hoping for a full new hour of jokes, this may not be that, but if you want a fun, satisfying tribute that rekindles the Eddie magic, it’s an easy yes.

Eddie Murphy: One Night Only is trying to be a respectful victory lap—part tribute, part career retrospective—celebrating the run from teenage prodigy to Raw and those iconic SNL characters. The catch is that it plays more like a polished clip show and celebrity love-in than anything with fresh jokes, so if you’re pressing play expecting Eddie to do a real stand-up set, you’ll probably feel shortchanged. It also runs a bit long and can come off self-congratulatory, with stretches that feel oddly stiff rather than electric. If you’re a longtime fan who wants a nostalgic highlight reel and some appreciation for his impact, it’s a pleasant enough watch; if you want new material or deeper insight, skip it.