“The Nutty Professor” is heading back to theaters nationwide on September 4, marking 30 years since Eddie Murphy’s seven-role comedy classic first hit screens in 1996. Universal Pictures unveiled a new anniversary trailer this week to mark the milestone, ahead of a limited theatrical re-release.
The Nutty Professor Returns to Theaters
Universal Pictures has set a nationwide theatrical re-release of “The Nutty Professor” for September 4, 2026, bringing the 1996 comedy back to the big screen for a special limited engagement to mark its 30th anniversary. The new trailer, released this week, revisits the film’s biggest comedic set pieces and reintroduces the movie to audiences who may only know it from home viewing, alongside longtime fans looking for an excuse to see it back on the big screen.
Eddie Murphy’s Seven-Role Performance
The film remains best known for Eddie Murphy’s performance in seven distinct roles, most notably kind-hearted professor Sherman Klump and his slick, fast-talking alter ego Buddy Love, alongside multiple members of the extended Klump family. That achievement was brought to life through the groundbreaking prosthetic and makeup work of Rick Baker and David LeRoy Anderson, who won the Academy Award for Best Makeup for their work transforming Murphy into each distinct character.
A Defining Eddie Murphy Comedy
“The Nutty Professor” arrived in June 1996 as a remake of the 1963 Jerry Lewis film of the same name, reworked as a modern romantic comedy about a brilliant but insecure scientist who invents a serum that transforms him into a leaner, more confident version of himself. The film was a major box office success on release and helped cement director Tom Shadyac’s run of hit comedies following 1994’s “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” while giving Murphy one of the signature roles of his career.
Why Studios Keep Bringing Back Anniversary Re-Releases
Theatrical anniversary re-releases have become an increasingly common play for studios sitting on beloved back-catalog titles, giving classic films a fresh promotional moment and a limited theatrical run without the cost of producing new content. For a broad comedy like “The Nutty Professor,” with a title recognizable across multiple generations, a 30th-anniversary re-release offers a low-risk way to generate renewed attention — and ticket sales — decades after its original release.
Where to Watch It Now
Outside of the September theatrical re-release, “The Nutty Professor” remains available to stream and rent through various digital platforms, giving audiences who can’t catch the limited theatrical run an easy way to revisit the film beforehand. The re-release is expected to run for a short window in theaters before the film returns to its normal home-viewing availability.
The Film’s Lasting Legacy
“The Nutty Professor” has held up as one of the most frequently cited entries in Eddie Murphy’s filmography, regularly appearing on lists of his best work alongside “Coming to America” and the “Beverly Hills Cop” franchise. Its blend of broad physical comedy, genuine heart in Sherman Klump’s arc, and technically groundbreaking makeup effects gave it staying power well beyond a typical mid-’90s studio comedy, which is part of why Universal sees enough audience appetite to justify a theatrical anniversary run three decades later rather than letting the milestone pass with just a streaming push.
How the Prosthetic Work Still Holds Up
What made Rick Baker and David LeRoy Anderson’s Oscar-winning makeup work so notable at the time was how seamlessly it let a single performer carry an entire ensemble of characters without the transformation ever feeling like a gimmick. Modern digital de-aging and face-replacement technology has changed how multi-role performances typically get achieved on screen since 1996, which makes revisiting the film’s practical, prosthetic-driven approach on a big theater screen a different experience than watching it at home — part of the appeal Universal is clearly banking on with this re-release.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does The Nutty Professor return to theaters?
Universal Pictures is re-releasing the film nationwide on September 4, 2026, for a limited engagement marking its 30th anniversary.
How many roles does Eddie Murphy play in The Nutty Professor?
Murphy plays seven roles in the film, including Sherman Klump, his alter ego Buddy Love, and multiple members of the Klump family.
When did The Nutty Professor originally release?
The film originally opened in theaters in June 1996.
For more classic comedy and franchise nostalgia news, check out our coverage of Coyote vs. Acme’s long-delayed theatrical release. Source: FirstShowing.net, Nutty Professor 30th anniversary trailer report.
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