The Nutty Professor (franchise)

The Nutty Professor
Official franchise logo, as released in 2000
Based onCharacters created by
Jerry Lewis
Release date
1963–present
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget~$146,630,000
(Total of 3 films)
Box office~$459,300,909
(Total of 3 films)[a]

The Nutty Professor franchise consists of American science fiction-slapstick comedies,[1][2][3] including three theatrical films, one straight-to-home video release, a musical stage play, and a theatrical reboot in development. Based on an original story by Jerry Lewis, inspired loosely by Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886) by Robert Louis Stevenson.

The plot of each installment centers around individuals with genius-level Intelligence, yet awkward and nerdy social skills. Upon meeting beautiful women, they develop potions that transform them into attractive, confident, albeit villainous alternate personalities who attempt to take over their original counterparts. The series explores the concept of self worth.[4][5][6][7]

The original film was a success both critically and financially, and has earned the status of being regarded as a comedy classic.[8] It was ranked #99 by the American Film Institute on its 100 Years...100 Laughs list.[9] A direct-sequel was eventually released in 2008, albeit an animated straight-to-home video release. Lewis reprised his role, though the movie centered around his grandson instead. The film gained little media attention and received mainly negative reviews from critics.[10] Lewis continued involvement with the franchise as executive producer for the remake film and its sequel and then later served as director of a musical stage production in 2012.[11]

The remake starring Eddie Murphy and released in 1996, was a success at the box office and received positive reviews from critics.[12][13] A sequel was released in 2000 to mixed critical reception. Though it fared well financially, it was far from the success of its predecessor.[14][15][16]

A reboot is in development, from Project X Entertainment.[17]


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  1. ^ Konow, David (January 25, 2023). "The Untold Truth Of The Nutty Professor". Looper. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  2. ^ Reesman, Bryan (June 17, 2014). "11 Things You Didn't Know About The Nutty Professor". Esquire. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  3. ^ Morgan, Chris (August 19, 2024). "20 facts you might not know about 'The Nutty Professor'". Yardbarker. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  4. ^ Cohen, Herbert J. (July 5, 2015). "The Nutty Professor (1963), directed by Jerry Lewis". Kosher Movies. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  5. ^ Daniels, Alexandria. "3 Valuable Lessons Learned From 'The Nutty Professor'". Izzy & Liv: Culture.Confidence.Soul. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  6. ^ Mendelson, Scott (June 28, 2016). "20 Years Ago, 'The Nutty Professor' Brought Eddie Murphy Back By Destroying His Edgy Persona". Forbes. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  7. ^ Berardinelli, James (1996). "Nutty Professor, The (United States, 1996): A movie review". Reel Views. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  8. ^ Hoberman, J. (June 12, 2014). "Dino? Ol' Blue Eyes? All the Above, by Jerry". The New York Times. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  9. ^ "AFI's 100 YEARS...100 LAUGHS: The 100 Funniest American Movies Of All Time". American Film Institute. 2000. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  10. ^ "The Nutty Professor - Movie Review". Common Sense Media. 21 March 2009. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  11. ^ NG, David (August 2, 2012). "Jerry Lewis' 'Nutty Professor' musical opens in Nashville". LA Times. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  12. ^ Roger Ebert (June 28, 1996). "The Nutty Professor". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  13. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (June 28, 1996). "The Nutty Professor". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  14. ^ O'Hehir, Andrew (July 28, 2000). "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps". Salon. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  15. ^ Lane, Anthony. The New Yorker, August 7, 2000. The Fat of the Land (subscription required)
  16. ^ Leydon, Joe (July 27, 2000). "The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps". Variety. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  17. ^ Kroll, Justin (August 24, 2020). "New 'Nutty Professor' Movie In The Works From Project X's James Vanderbilt, William Sherak and Paul Neinstein". Deadline. Retrieved August 25, 2020.