A film widely regarded as one of Eddie Murphy’s poorest works, Norbit, has unexpectedly become a streaming sensation on Netflix. Nearly two decades after its 2007 release, this comedy now ranks tenth on Netflix’s global most-watched movies list, despite holding a mere 9% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Interestingly, Eddie Murphy’s Norbit outperforms two other critically panned films of his—The Adventures of Pluto Nash and A Thousand Words—both rated at 0%. Murphy himself has downplayed Norbit’s quality, suggesting it was not as bad as many critics claimed. This renewed viewer interest on Netflix raises questions about whether the film deserves a reassessment or if nostalgia plays a bigger role in its resurgence. Regardless, Norbit remains one of the few heavily criticized films to earn an Oscar nomination.
How Norbit Secured an Oscar Nod for Makeup
When people think of the Academy Awards, Norbit rarely comes to mind. Yet, during the 2007 awards season, Paramount Pictures submitted the film, resulting in a nomination for Best Makeup. This category has historically included nominations for other critically derided films such as Click and Suicide Squad, making Norbit’s inclusion less surprising but still notable on an otherwise glamorous night.
The Oscar nod was largely due to the outstanding prosthetic work by makeup experts Rick Baker and Kazu Hiro. Eddie Murphy portrayed three central characters in Norbit, with two of them requiring extensive makeup transformation. While the effects did not reach the acclaimed level seen in Murphy and Baker’s previous collaboration for The Nutty Professor—which won Best Makeup—these prosthetics were effective enough to stand out as a significant aspect of the film.
Did Norbit Impact Murphy’s Oscar Chances for Dreamgirls?
Though Norbit earned limited acclaim, it may have had a more consequential effect on Eddie Murphy’s Oscar trajectory the previous year. In 2007, Murphy was a leading contender for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Dreamgirls, having won the Golden Globe in the category. Many anticipated this would become Murphy’s first Academy Award win.
However, Norbit’s release just weeks before the Oscars may have influenced some Academy voters. Despite some positive audience reception, critics overwhelmingly rejected Norbit, criticizing its humor and questioning Murphy’s attempt to replicate comedic successes like Coming to America and The Nutty Professor. Notably, Luke Sader from The Hollywood Reporter labeled Norbit as a
racially insensitive, politically incorrect and beyond crude
movie. Many Rotten Tomatoes reviews controversially compared Norbit’s poor reception directly to Murphy’s acclaimed role in Dreamgirls.
Murphy ultimately lost the Oscar to Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine and appeared visibly affected by the outcome. Following the ceremony, Murphy kept Norbit out of public discussion and stepped back from major roles for some years. He recently reemerged with Dolemite Is My Name, reaffirming his status as a comedy legend celebrated for iconic characters, even as opinions about Norbit remain sharply divided among viewers and critics.
Overview of Norbit’s Main Cast
- Eddie Murphy as Norbit, Rasputia, and Mr. Wong
- Thandiwe Newton as Kate Thomas
- Terry Crews as Big Jack Latimore
- Clifton Powell as Earl Latimore
Norbit features Eddie Murphy in multiple roles, showcasing his versatility despite the film’s mixed reception. Thandiwe Newton and Terry Crews provide key supporting performances, contributing to the film’s dynamic despite its widely debated humor and plot. Characters like Big Jack and Earl Latimore play important parts within the story’s framework, rounding out a cast that viewers have revisited on Netflix amid the movie’s renewed interest.
Ultimately, Norbit’s newfound popularity on Netflix reflects the complexities of audience taste versus critical consensus, along with the enduring appeal of Eddie Murphy’s comedic persona. Whether this attention signifies a genuine reassessment or a curiosity-driven binge remains to be seen, but the film’s place in both Murphy’s career and streaming culture continues to provoke discussion.
