Eddie Murphy's Coming 2 America Gets New Amazon Video Release Date

Eddie Murphy's comedy sequel Coming 2 America was originally set to hit theaters next month, but like many big movies in 2020, it's now heading straight to streaming. Last month it was reported that Paramount had sold the movie to Amazon Studios, and it's been announced that it will hit Prime Video in March.

Amazon Studios has confirmed that Coming 2 America's new release date is March 5, 2021. Initial reports of the Amazon/Paramount deal suggested that the movie would maintain its original December 18 theatrical date, but this was never confirmed by Amazon. The studio states that it will launch worldwide in "over 240 countries and territories."

"Coming to Americawas a cultural phenomenon that is one of the most loved and celebrated comedies of all time," said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios. "Thanks to Eddie Murphy's comedic genius along with the brilliant filmmakers, writers and fabulous cast, we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this new adventure. We know audiences around the world will fall in love with this hilarious, joyful movie that will surely become a timeless favorite."

Coming 2 America is the sequel to the 1988 movie Coming To America. Murphy will reprise his role as Akeem Joffer, the newly-crowned king of the fictional African country Zamunda, with Arsenio Hall back as Akeem's friend, Semmi. The cast also includes James Earl Jones, Tracy Morgan, and Jay Pharoah, and it's directed by Craig Brewer, who previously directed Murphy in last year's acclaimed Dolemite is My Name.

The film is one of several big movies that Paramount has sold to streaming platforms this year, following Aaron Sorkin's Trial of the Chicago 7 and the action-comedy Lovebirds, which both went to Netflix.

While we'll have to wait a little longer to see Coming 2 America, there are two other big movies heading to streaming next month. The Pixar film Soul will premiere on Disney+ on December 25, while the DC sequel Wonder Woman 1984 is set to hit HBO Max on the same day.