Netflix's Being Eddie release date and what to expect from the Eddie Murphy special

Netflix is gearing up to release Being Eddie, a one-off documentary that promises to offer subscribers an exclusive and deeply personal look into the life and career of Hollywood legend Eddie Murphy.

Netflix's Being Eddie release date and what to expect from the Eddie Murphy special(GETTY)
For nearly five decades, Murphy has been one of the most influential figures in comedy and film, from his breakout days in stand-up to his unforgettable performances in Shrek, Coming to America, Beverly Hills Cop, and Norbit. Now, the famously private 64-year-old is finally pulling back the curtain — giving fans unprecedented access to his world in what Netflix calls a “career-defining retrospective.”

Being Eddie Release Date

According to Netflix, Being Eddie will premiere globally on Wednesday, November 12, giving viewers only a short wait before they can stream the highly anticipated special.

Unlike other recent celebrity documentaries — such as Victoria Beckham’s three-part Netflix series Beckham — Being Eddie will be a single feature-length special, condensing a lifetime of work and personal reflection into one film.

Eddie Murphy with his family as they star in Netflix special Being Eddie.(NETFLIX)

Star-Studded Appearances

Given Murphy’s remarkable career, it’s no surprise that Being Eddie boasts an impressive roster of guest stars and longtime collaborators.

Confirmed appearances include comedians Kevin Hart and Pete Davidson, Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross, Coming to America co-star Arsenio Hall, and fellow comedy legend Chris Rock.

The documentary also features Jamie Foxx (Ray, Django Unchained) and 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan, both of whom credit Murphy as a major influence in their careers.

Beyond Hollywood’s elite, the documentary will also provide a rare glimpse into Murphy’s personal life, featuring his wife Paige Butcher and several of his ten children, whom he shares with five different women.


Actor and comedian Eddie Murphy started his career as a stand-up comic.(NETFLIX)

 What Being Eddie Is About

Being Eddie is described as a celebration of Murphy’s nearly 50-year career in entertainment — tracing his journey from a teenage comedian performing stand-up in New York City to one of the biggest movie stars in the world.

For the first time ever, Murphy opens the doors to his private home, allowing cameras to capture never-before-seen moments from his daily life. Viewers can expect a blend of humor, reflection, and candid emotion, as the actor discusses the highs, lows, and lessons learned from a lifetime in the spotlight.

Directed by two-time Academy Award winner Angus Wall, the documentary aims to highlight what makes Murphy a once-in-a-generation talent.

According to the official Netflix synopsis:

“It goes without saying that there is only one Eddie Murphy. No other teenage comedian shared a stage with Jerry Seinfeld at 17, then joined Saturday Night Live straight out of high school. No actor has ever played a cop, a doctor, and a donkey — and dominated every corner of Hollywood he’s touched. Fewer still have remained A-list celebrities for over four decades without ever succumbing to the darker side of fame.”

 Why Being Eddie Matters

Eddie Murphy’s career has been a defining part of modern entertainment. From reshaping sketch comedy on Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s to headlining billion-dollar film franchises, Murphy’s ability to reinvent himself while staying authentic has made him one of Hollywood’s most enduring figures.

The documentary also arrives at a time when nostalgia-driven storytelling is in high demand, following successful biographical projects like Arnold and Beckham. For fans, Being Eddie represents more than a retrospective — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see one of comedy’s greatest icons through a completely new lens.

 When and Where to Watch

Being Eddie premieres Wednesday, November 12, exclusively on Netflix, and is expected to be one of the platform’s standout documentary releases this year.

(Source: Netflix / The Hollywood Reporter / Variety / Deadline)