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Sky High

Play trailer Poster for Sky High PG Released Jul 29, 2005 1h 40m Kids & Family Comedy Fantasy Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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74% Tomatometer 127 Reviews 57% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
At a school in the sky where teens learn how to be superheroes, Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano) lands in a class for students who show special promise. Classmate Gwen (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) quickly cozies up to Will, but it's soon clear that she has other motives. When he learns that Gwen's mother is a villain who was defeated by his father, Steve Stronghold (Kurt Russell), Will realizes that Gwen is aiming for revenge, and he rushes to a school dance in the hope of stopping her.
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Sky High

Sky High

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Critics Consensus

This highly derivative superhero coming-of-age flick is moderately entertaining, family-friendly fluff.

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Critics Reviews

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Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films Carefully pitched to be watchable by the Breakfast Club generation and their young kids. Rated: B- Feb 11, 2006 Full Review Neil Smith BBC.com While originality is hardly the film's strongest suit, its agreeable mix of knowing spoof and kid-pleasing fantasy makes it considerably more engaging than some of the 'straight' superhero blockbusters we've suffered recently. Rated: 3/5 Sep 18, 2005 Full Review Matt Singer Village Voice My 12-year-old self would have liked this movie a lot. The 25-year-old me likes it a bit more than he cares to admit. Aug 3, 2005 Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Sky High is a superhero comedy that is fun for both adults and children to enjoy. Rated: 3.5/5 Mar 2, 2022 Full Review Micheal Compton Bowling Green Daily News In a summer with few surprises, Sky High proves to be a buried treasure -- a clever take on the teen-high school genre. Nov 19, 2019 Full Review Mattie Lucas The Dispatch (Lexington, NC) A pretty harmless family comedy. Rated: 2/4 Jun 5, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Lucas L Assistia muito quando criança! Nostalgia! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/29/25 Full Review Joey H. Released on July 29th 2005, this live action Disney film directed by Mike Mitchell, and with a brilliant score composed by Michael Giacchino, flew its way into theaters and into the hearts of children and superhero fans. Releasing three years before the Disney company would ultimately debut the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Iron Man, and during a time where Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man films, the X-Men, Blade, and Fantastic Four franchises were more or less dominating at the box office, we are treated to this little underrated superhero gem. The story revolves around a world where superheroes and supervillains live among civilians and are more or less accepted by society and all of the super offspring go to a special high school to learn how to master their powers and earn the ranks of being either a Hero or a Sidekick, or Hero Support as they call it. The main character is young Will Stronghold, played by Michael Angarano, the son of the two most powerful heroes; The Commander and Jetstream, whose civilian identities are Steve Stronghold and his wife Josie Stronghold, portrayed by Disney veteran Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston. He has super strength and she has the ability to fly. Will is expected by his parents to be placed in the Hero curriculum, but what they do not know or expect is that Will doesn’t have superpowers of his own yet, and may never get them at all. On his first day at Sky High, he and his childhood friend and next door neighbor, Layla Williams, played by Disney Channel star Danielle Panabaker in her feature film debut, are introduced to fellow freshmen students Zach, Ethan, and Magenta, but also meet the school bullies Lash and Speed. The five freshmen eventually meet Principal Powers before meeting Coach Boomer, who is in charge of placing them and the other freshmen in their proper curriculum by testing and judging everyone’s powers. Zach, Ethan, Magenta, Layla and Will are all unfortunately placed in the Sidekick or Hero Support classes. Later that same day, Will meets senior student Gwen Grayson, played by the one and only Mary Elizabeth Winstead and he is instantly smitten with her, but also meets Warren Peace, portrayed by Steven Strait, the halfbreed son of a superhero mother and supervillain father, who has a personal grudge against Will because The Commander took down Warren’s father and had him incarcerated. As the school year goes on, Will eventually does develop superpowers and must learn to use them properly, especially when an old enemy of his father resurfaces and comes looking for revenge. Before long, it’s up to Will, his newfound Sidekick friends and even his frenemy Warren to band together and save Sky High and ultimately the world. Rounding out the cast of this remarkable film includes TV’s own Wonder Woman Lynda Carter, Bruce Campbell of the Evil Dead films, Dave Foley, the voice of Flik from Disney/Pixar’s A Bug’s Life, Cloris Leachman whose career spans from movies to television, Jim Rash and Kevin McDonald, the voice of Pleakley from Lilo and Stitch. For those who love comic book stories from Marvel or DC and may have seen John Hughes films like The Breakfast Club at an early age, this movie perfectly blends both genres together for a fun filled, action packed adventure that the whole family and even adults will find enjoyable. This Disney film is a solid winner. I give it a perfect ten rating. Highly recommend this one to anyone. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/31/25 Full Review Audience Member This film was here before the MCU and was an innovative and entertaining take on how superpowers would be in the real world. Taking inspiration from some beloved comic books and integrating into the aesthetic, with colorful and amusing elements in every scene. Surprisingly good acting for such young actors too. This would have been great to follow up with a show or comic series and later a reunion sequel when they're adults. A cult classic film for sure! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/23/25 Full Review Samuel O This is my favorite Disney Channel movie ever, and it just so happened to be the one where I discovered my biggest celebrity crush of all time, Mary Elizabeth Winstead🥰💘 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/10/25 Full Review Jaime A This movie is pure nostalgia, the story may not be the best, but I got fond of the movie and that is enough to love this movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/15/25 Full Review Garrett B A childhood superhero classic Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/20/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Sky High

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Movie Info

Synopsis At a school in the sky where teens learn how to be superheroes, Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano) lands in a class for students who show special promise. Classmate Gwen (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) quickly cozies up to Will, but it's soon clear that she has other motives. When he learns that Gwen's mother is a villain who was defeated by his father, Steve Stronghold (Kurt Russell), Will realizes that Gwen is aiming for revenge, and he rushes to a school dance in the hope of stopping her.
Director
Mike Mitchell
Producer
Andrew Gunn
Screenwriter
Paul Hernandez, Robert Schooley, Mark McCorkle
Distributor
Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co
Max Stronghold Productions Inc.
Rating
PG (Mild Language|Action/Violence)
Genre
Kids & Family, Comedy, Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 29, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 4, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$63.9M
Runtime
1h 40m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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