If you’re thinking about showing your kids the original Coming to America because you remember it being a hilarious 80s classic, hit the brakes for a second—the original is a hard R-rated movie with full-frontal nudity and heavy profanity, while the 2021 sequel Coming 2 America was engineered specifically as a PG-13 "legacy sequel" for a much broader family audience.
The 1988 Coming to America is a comedy masterpiece, but its R-rating is earned through significant nudity and "F-bombs" that make it a "parents-only" watch or for older teens (16+). Conversely, the sequel Coming 2 America on Amazon Prime Video is a PG-13 affair that leans into nostalgia and family themes, making it appropriate for most kids ages 12 and up. If you want Eddie Murphy's comedic genius for younger kids without the Queens, NY grit, stick to Shrek or Mulan.
At its core, the Coming to America franchise is a fish-out-of-water story. Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy), the pampered heir to the throne of the fictional African nation of Zamunda, rebels against an arranged marriage. He travels to Queens, New York, with his loyal aide Semmi (Arsenio Hall) to find a woman who will love him for his personality, not his title.
The original 1988 film is legendary for its makeup effects, where Murphy and Hall play multiple characters, including the iconic, argumentative old men in the local barbershop. It’s a cultural touchstone for Black excellence in cinema, showcasing a vibrant, wealthy, and sophisticated African kingdom long before Black Panther hit the scene.
The sequel, Coming 2 America, picks up decades later. Akeem is now King and discovers he has a long-lost son in Queens. The movie reverses the plot, bringing the "New York" energy back to Zamunda. It’s a "passing the torch" story that focuses on Akeem’s daughters and his newfound son, dealing with themes of tradition versus modernization.
Kids who are into YouTube comedy or TikTok skits will actually appreciate the "character acting" here. Eddie Murphy was the original master of playing five people in one scene, and that kind of high-energy, transformative comedy still lands today.
For parents, it’s pure nostalgia. We remember the "Soul Glo" commercials and the "Sexual Chocolate" band. It’s one of those rare franchises that manages to be both a satire of American culture and a celebration of family loyalty. Screenwise data shows that "Legacy Sequels" (movies that return to a franchise after 20+ years) are a top bridge-builder for parents trying to find common ground with their Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids during movie nights.
This is where intentional parents need to pay attention. There is a massive "vibe shift" between the two films.
Rating: R The 80s were a different time for ratings. If you haven't seen this in twenty years, you might have forgotten the "Royal Bathers" scene. It features full-frontal female nudity within the first ten minutes. The language is also "New York in the 80s" authentic—meaning a lot of F-words and colorful insults.
- Screenwise Recommendation: Save this for when they are 16 or older, or be prepared for some very awkward fast-forwarding.
Rating: PG-13 This movie was made for the streaming era on Amazon Prime Video. The nudity is gone, replaced by "suggestive humor" and some mild cleavage. The profanity is dialed back significantly to fit the PG-13 mold. It feels much more like a modern Disney-adjacent comedy than a gritty 80s stand-up spin-off.
- Screenwise Recommendation: This is the "Family Entry Point." It’s safe for the 12+ crowd and provides enough context that they don’t strictly need to have seen the first one to enjoy the jokes.
If your kids enjoy the humor in Zamunda, you might be tempted to dive deeper into Murphy’s filmography. Here is how to navigate it without accidentally traumatizing them with Beverly Hills Cop or Raw:
- For the 5-8 Age Group: Stick to Shrek. It’s the gold standard for Murphy’s voice work. You can also try Doctor Dolittle.
- For the 9-12 Age Group: Daddy Day Care is a solid, clean choice. Haunted Mansion is also a fun, spooky option that isn't too intense.
- For Teens (13+): This is where Coming 2 America and Dreamgirls sit comfortably.
Ask our chatbot for a curated "Eddie Murphy for Kids" watchlist
Movies like these are great for "soft-skills" parenting. You aren't lecturing; you're just chatting over popcorn.
- Tradition vs. Change: In the sequel, Akeem’s daughters are more capable than the male heir, but Zamundan law says only a man can rule. Ask your kids: "Do you think it’s more important to follow a tradition because it’s old, or change it because it’s fair?"
- Authenticity: Akeem wants to be loved for who he is, not his money. This is a great tie-in to digital wellness. "On Instagram or BeReal, do people like the 'Prince' version of us (the filtered one) or the real us?"
- Cultural Representation: Discuss how Zamunda is portrayed as a place of wealth and technology. Compare this to how other movies might show Africa. It’s a good moment for media literacy.
While the sequel is much safer, it still contains some "crude humor." We’re talking about jokes involving circumcision, weed (it's legal in many places now, but still present in the script), and some sexual innuendo. It’s not "brain rot" content—it doesn’t have the frantic, over-stimulating pace of some YouTube Kids channels—but it is a Hollywood comedy.
If you are a family that avoids all "toilet humor," you might find the barbershop scenes a bit much. However, if you can handle a few jokes about "testosterone" and "royal seed," you’ll be fine.
Q: Is Coming to America appropriate for a 10-year-old? The original 1988 Coming to America is definitely not appropriate for a 10-year-old due to full-frontal nudity and heavy language. However, the 2021 sequel Coming 2 America is PG-13 and generally okay for 10-year-olds if you are comfortable with some mild suggestive humor and "potty talk."
Q: Do you need to watch the first Coming to America to understand the sequel? Not strictly, but the sequel relies heavily on "memberberries"—nostalgic callbacks to the first film. Your kids will enjoy the sequel more if you at least show them some of the "clean" clips of the barbershop scenes on YouTube first.
Q: Why is the first Coming to America rated R? It’s rated R primarily for a scene involving full-frontal female nudity (the "Royal Bathers") and frequent use of strong language. By 2026 standards, the comedy itself feels relatively tame, but those specific content markers keep it firmly in the "Adult" category.
Q: Where can I stream Coming 2 America? As of 2026, Coming 2 America is an Amazon Prime Video original. You’ll need a Prime subscription to watch it without an extra rental fee.
If you want to introduce your kids to the world of Zamunda, skip the 1988 original for now and head straight for the 2021 sequel. It’s a rare case where the sequel is actually the better "family" choice, even if the original is the better "movie." It’s fun, colorful, and provides a great opening to talk about gender roles and being true to yourself.
Check out our guide on navigating 80s movies with modern kids
- Check your settings: Ensure your Amazon Prime Video parental controls are set to PG-13 so the R-rated original doesn't auto-play next.
- Pre-screen the "Barbershop" clips: Find a "clean" compilation of the barbershop scenes from the first movie on YouTube to give your kids the context of the characters.
- Plan a "Royal" Dinner: Make it an event! Zamundan "cuisine" (or just some good Queens-style burgers) makes for a great themed movie night.