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Superman: The Movie

PG Released Dec 15, 1978 2h 23m Adventure Sci-Fi Action Fantasy List
94% Tomatometer 77 Reviews 86% Audience Score 250,000+ Ratings
Just before the destruction of the planet Krypton, scientist Jor-El (Marlon Brando) sends his infant son Kal-El on a spaceship to Earth. Raised by kindly farmers Jonathan (Glenn Ford) and Martha Kent (Phyllis Thaxter), young Clark (Christopher Reeve) discovers the source of his superhuman powers and moves to Metropolis to fight evil. As Superman, he battles the villainous Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), while, as novice reporter Clark Kent, he attempts to woo co-worker Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). Read More Read Less
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Superman: The Movie

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Critics Consensus

Superman deftly blends humor and gravitas, taking advantage of the perfectly cast Christopher Reeve to craft a loving, nostalgic tribute to an American pop culture icon.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Bradshaw Guardian Gene Hackman is a tremendous Lex Luthor: the wisecracking villain and acting heavyweight that Superman deserved. Rated: 5/5 Apr 6, 2023 Full Review Jay Scott Globe and Mail Superman makes you feel like a child again. Aug 11, 2022 Full Review Ron Pennington Hollywood Reporter Christopher Reeve is perfect in physical appearance for the title role and he manages to play the open honestness and naivete without losing credibility. Dec 10, 2021 Full Review Romola Costantino The Sun-Herald (Australia) There's much amusement in the comedy angles to Superman's miraculous powers... The picture is worth seeing for those frisky scenes, but elsewhere it becomes a typical glitter package of Hollywood excesses. May 18, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy The best superhero movie ever made. Rated: 4/4 May 13, 2023 Full Review Erick Estrada Cinegarage Richard Donner delivers action, and humor for adults and children alike in this entertaining film. [Full review in Spanish] Apr 28, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mr. Hollywood The classic superhero movie still holds up. Some scenes are campy for sure but the whole film is enjoyable and is better than most current superhero movies out there. RIP Richard Donor, Christopher Reeves, Margot Kidder, Marlon Brando etc Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/26/23 Full Review Adam P Greatest superhero movie ever made Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/20/23 Full Review Eduardo I really enjoyed watching this movie on the big screen for the 1st time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/19/23 Full Review Doug S Still the bar for superhero movies to strive for. Idealistic. Wholesome. Joy filled. John Williams! Yes dated in many ways but holds up. Wonderful to see on a big screen again. My daughter looked at me during the opening credits & said do you feel like youre 8 again? Yes I did. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/19/23 Full Review Shelby I loved everything!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/19/23 Full Review Wil What can you say, it's a masterpiece. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/19/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Just before the destruction of the planet Krypton, scientist Jor-El (Marlon Brando) sends his infant son Kal-El on a spaceship to Earth. Raised by kindly farmers Jonathan (Glenn Ford) and Martha Kent (Phyllis Thaxter), young Clark (Christopher Reeve) discovers the source of his superhuman powers and moves to Metropolis to fight evil. As Superman, he battles the villainous Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), while, as novice reporter Clark Kent, he attempts to woo co-worker Lois Lane (Margot Kidder).
Director
Richard Donner
Producer
Pierre Spengler, Richard Lester, Alexander Salkind
Screenwriter
Jerry Siegel, Mario Puzo, David Newman, Robert Benton, Tom Mankiewicz, Leslie Newman
Distributor
Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Production Co
Dovemead Films, Film Export A.G., International Film Production
Rating
PG
Genre
Adventure, Sci-Fi, Action, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 15, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2008
Runtime
2h 23m
Sound Mix
Surround
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