Over 40 years ago, one ofEddie Murphy’s finest comedic triumphs first graced screens, with 1983’sTrading Placesflying to both critical and financial success. Following two ends of the class spectrum as their lives are switched, the film was both brilliantly funny and a clever commentary on the inequality gap of the early 1980s, one that is even more relevant today than ever. Alongside Murphy, the movie starred the likes ofDan Aykroyd,Ralph Bellamy,Jamie Lee Curtis, and a lesser-known, futureBreaking Badstar,Giancarlo Esposito.
Now, 42 years later,Trading Placesis proving utterly timeless, having officially entered the top 10 most-streamed titles on Tubi in the US, as of June 25, 2025. Entering the top 10 at spot #4,Trading Placesoutperformed six others in the top 10. This includes, at #10,Gerard Butler’sKandahar, at #9, the German classicThe NeverEnding Story, and, at #8,Michael DouglasandGlenn Close’sFatal Attraction.Ninja Assassinis at #7 on the list, withBurlesqueat #6, andSylvester StalloneandWesley Snipes’Demolition Manat #5. Of course,Trading Placesis at #4, with the three titles ahead of it in the list, includingSteven Seagal’sUnder Siegeat #3,Will Smith’sIndependence Dayat #2, andNicolas Cage’sThe Old Wayat #1.
On review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes,Trading Placesis the proud owner of a “certified fresh” 88% critics' score, with an almost-as-strong 85% from audiences. For directorJohn Landis, this score marks one of the highest in his directorial career, matching the 88% of 1995’sSmoke, and outperforming other hits such asComing to America,The Blues Brothers, andThe Kentucky Fried Movie. Sadly, 88% just falls short of two of his directing efforts:National Lampoon’s Animal Housewith 91%, andAn American Werewolf in Londonwith 89%.
How Did ‘Trading Places’ Perform at the Box Office?
Made for a reported $15 million, which is just shy of $50 million in today’s money,Trading Placesproved a huge win for Paramount back in 1983. In total, from almost four months in theaters,Trading Placesearned $90.4 million from the domestic box office alone. When adjusted for inflation, this would equal $324 million from US theaters alone, enough to seeTrading Placesoutperform the likes of 2018’sDeadpool 2, 2023’sThe Little Mermaidremake, 2024’sBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, and other big-budget titles. This would be enough to make it one of the100 highest-grossing filmsin US box office history, although this is, of course, without adjusting any other movies for inflation.
Trading Placesis streaming now on Tubi. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
Trading Places
Source:Tubi via FlixPatrol
