The Golden Child | Rotten Tomatoes

The Golden Child

PG-13

1986

1 hr. 31 min.

Comedy

Adventure

Fantasy

List

21%

24 Reviews

Tomatometer

47%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

After a Tibetan boy, the mystical Golden Child (J.L. Reate), is kidnapped by the evil Sardo Numspa (Charles Dance), humankind's fate hangs in the balance. On the other side of the world in Los Angeles, the priestess Kee Nang (Charlotte Lewis) seeks the Chosen One, who will save the boy from death. When Nang sees social worker Chandler Jarrell (Eddie Murphy) on television discussing his ability to find missing children, she solicits his expertise, despite his skepticism over being "chosen."

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Samael G

A comedy adventure film the likes of which are no longer being made. Although silly in places, it is fascinating, action packed and uplifting. One of the best of his type.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/01/24

Full Review

Ari V

One of those childhood staples that you aren't embarrassed about as an adult. Decent jokes, creative, fun characters, crafty cinematography, etc.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/18/23

Full Review

Steve D

Entertaining enough but nothing special in comedy or action.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/29/23

Full Review

ashley h

The Golden Child is an okay film. It is about a private detective who is charged with the task of finding a special child whom dark forces want to eliminate. Eddie Murphy and Charlotte Lewis give decent performances. The script is a little slow in places. Michael Ritchie did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the action and humor.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Stephen C

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Schrodinger G

I'm not sure how this movie can be so poorly reviewed on here. The sheer volume of quotables from this movie is worth at least a 6/10. All that aside, typical 80s movie with an above average story. If you're expecting Lawrence of Arabia going into it you'll be disappointed. If you enjoy a good scifi/fantasy/comedy then you'll definitely enjoy this. Brother Numsie, please forgive me!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/25/22

Full Review

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Michael Ritchie

Director

Eddie Murphy

Chandler Jarrell

Charles Dance

Sardo Numspa

Charlotte Lewis

Kee Nang

Victor Wong

The Old Man

Randall "Tex" Cobb

Til

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The Golden Child: Official Clip - Chandler's Dream

2:13

The Golden Child: Official Clip - Dancing Pepsi Can

2:13

The Golden Child: Official Clip - Viva Nepal!

2:10

The Golden Child: Official Clip - There's No Ground Here

2:13

The Golden Child: Official Clip - Brother Numpsay!

2:12

The Golden Child: Official Clip - It's Your Destiny

2:13

The Golden Child: Official Clip - Let's Get Outta Here

2:12

The Golden Child: Official Clip - I Want the Knife

2:13

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David Stratton

Sydney Morning Herald

A generally over-produced, over-cooked movie.

May 27, 2021

Full Review

Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

A half-baked comedy without a heart.

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

This film -- insignificant and lightweight and monumentally silly -- is entertaining from beginning to end.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

The ingredients are decent. The recipe is sour.

Rated: 3/10

Jun 21, 2023

Full Review

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

an Eddie Murphy vehicle through and through, with little holding it together outside of the familiar cadences of his streetwise confidence and infectious laugh

Rated: 2/4

Dec 9, 2020

Full Review

Allison Rose

FlickDirect

Murphy, once again, plays "the coolest guy in the room", an act we have come to almost expect from him.

Rated: 2.5/5

Dec 7, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

After a Tibetan boy, the mystical Golden Child (J.L. Reate), is kidnapped by the evil Sardo Numspa (Charles Dance), humankind's fate hangs in the balance. On the other side of the world in Los Angeles, the priestess Kee Nang (Charlotte Lewis) seeks the Chosen One, who will save the boy from death. When Nang sees social worker Chandler Jarrell (Eddie Murphy) on television discussing his ability to find missing children, she solicits his expertise, despite his skepticism over being "chosen."

Director: Michael Ritchie
Executive Producer: Charles R. Meeker, Richard Tienken
Screenwriter: Dennis Feldman
Production Co: Paramount
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 6, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $78.1M
Sound Mix: Surround

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