Norbit Production and Budget Details
The 2007 comedy film Norbit was produced by DreamWorks Pictures and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The project was directed by Brian Robbins and written by Eddie Murphy, Charlie Murphy, and Jay Scherick. The film had a reported production budget of approximately 60 million dollars, which was considered a moderate investment for a star-driven comedy at the time. The principal photography took place in multiple locations across the United States, with the fictional town of Latimore serving as the central setting. The production company behind the film was Tollin/Robbins Productions in partnership with DreamWorks. For more on the studio structure behind such productions, see the overview at Forbes on film production company types.
The cast included Eddie Murphy in multiple roles, alongside Thandie Newton, Terry Crews, and Eddie Griffin. The film's runtime was 91 minutes, and it was rated PG for crude and sexual content, language, and some violence. The musical score was composed by David Newman, and the film featured several original songs that supported its comedic tone. The distribution strategy relied on a wide theatrical release coordinated by Paramount Pictures, which handled marketing and exhibition logistics across North America and international markets.
Box Office Revenue and Financial Results
Norbit earned approximately 15.5 million dollars in its opening weekend in the United States and Canada, placing second at the box office behind another major release. The film went on to gross a total of 154.7 million dollars worldwide, with the domestic share accounting for roughly 128 million dollars and international markets contributing the remainder. The production budget was estimated at 60 million dollars, and when combined with marketing and distribution costs, the film achieved a positive return on investment. The global box office performance placed Norbit among the higher-grossing comedies of 2007, though it did not reach the top tier of Eddie Murphy's previous film releases. For a broader view of box office trends in that period, refer to the annual summary at Box Office Mojo 2007 worldwide grosses.
Home media sales and streaming licensing later added to the film's lifetime revenue. The DVD and Blu-ray releases generated additional income through retail and digital storefronts. The film also became available on subscription streaming platforms, which typically pay licensing fees based on viewership metrics and exclusivity windows. These secondary revenue streams are standard for studio-backed releases and contribute to the overall financial lifecycle of a film. The economic model for such releases is further detailed in reports from the SEC on entertainment company revenue disclosures.
Critical Reception and Legacy
Norbit received mixed reviews from critics, with an aggregated score of 33 percent on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 150 reviews. The film was nominated for several Golden Raspberry Awards, winning the award for Worst Supporting Actress for Eddie Murphy's portrayal of the character Rasputia. The Razzie nominations highlighted the polarizing nature of the film's humor and its reliance on broad physical comedy and exaggerated characterizations. Despite the critical response, the film maintained a presence in popular culture through television broadcasts and digital streaming availability.
The film's legacy is often discussed in the context of Eddie Murphy's career trajectory during the mid-2000s, a period that included both commercial successes and critical disappointments. Norbit remains a reference point in conversations about the economics of star-driven comedies and the balance between creative risk and financial return. The film's distribution rights and ongoing licensing arrangements are managed by the respective rights holders, with