Real Steel

Play trailer

Real Steel

PG-13

Released Oct 7, 2011

2h 7m

Action

Drama

Sci-Fi

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

60%

Tomatometer

233 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) used to be a prizefighter but lost his chance to win a title when heavy, towering robots took over the boxing ring. Now working as a small-time promoter, Charlie pieces together scrap metal into low-end fighters, barely earning enough to make it from one underground venue to the next. After hitting rock bottom, Charlie reluctantly teams with his estranged son, Max (Dakota Goyo), to build and train a championship robot for a last shot at redemption.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Silly premise notwithstanding, this is a well-made Hollywood movie: Thrilling and exciting action with just enough characterization.

Read Critics Reviews

Logan Hill

New York Magazine/Vulture

It's more of a throwback to Horatio Alger's Ragged Dick, a rags-to-middle-class-respectability tale about the humble joy of old-fashioned decency.

Nov 14, 2018

Full Review

Tom Charity

CNN.com

It's as corny as Kansas, but the mix of old fashioned heart and new fangled animatronic cyber tech will make this picture a winner for fathers and sons.

Nov 14, 2018

Full Review

Shawn Levy

New York Times

All things considered, it is a well-wrought piece of entertainment, confidently paced, although its necessary subplots are little more than dutiful filler sandwiched between fight sequences.

Nov 6, 2018

Full Review

Iván Kazi

EscribiendoCine

The truth is that it is a fun film and its few inconsistencies are insignificant compared to the outstanding special effects and the compelling thematic thread. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

Sep 27, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

A tired old cast re-pressed and coated with a shiny new layer of wax.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 7, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Distill 'Rocky' and 'The Champ,' add a dash of The Rumble in the Jungle, shake well and serve in larger-than-life rock ’em sock ’em robots. That’s basically what you get with 'Real Steel'...

Jul 9, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

C R

It's not really the type of movie I would rate very highly, but it was quite good. Very formulaic and often predictable, but still a lighthearted and good watch. Expected very little, but was pleasantly surprised.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/15/24

Full Review

Han F

One of the most fun and exciting movie. perfect blend with drama, action and a little bit of sci fi. music is awesome and memorable. Is it perfect movie? of course not, but definitely deserve five or four stars

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/30/24

Full Review

Marlon W

the relationship between father and son is built magnificently, and the special effects are great, the story reminds me a lot of Rocky, excellent film

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/27/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Really underated film. The story really stood out with its connection from the past and and the present. It provides the correct amount of energy and feel to the characters deep connection with each other and builds tension perfectly (especially in the final scene). Back story built up absolutely perfectly when introducing the characters and their past.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/18/24

Full Review

SERT R

Absolutely loved this movie. Probably one of very few I bought the movie on DVD from. And most recently watched it today. Wish there was a sequel but best as a stand alone.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/16/24

Full Review

Audience Member

highly enjoyable puts a cool, slick feel to the sports genre the special effects convinced me alot and the characters were spot on the emotional stuff could have been dwindled down a bit, to me it slowed down the story but by the end I was clapping and cheering its Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots for little children :)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/09/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Shawn Levy

Director

Hugh Jackman

Charlie Kenton

Evangeline Lilly

Bailey Tallet

Dakota Goyo

Max

Anthony Mackie

Finn

Kevin Durand

Ricky

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

The Giver

35%

55%

The Giver

Watchlist

Warrior

84%

92%

Warrior

Watchlist

Fighting

40%

36%

Fighting

Watchlist

The Darkest Minds

15%

71%

The Darkest Minds

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Darkest Minds

In Time

36%

51%

In Time

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Ranking 26 Giant Robots From Film and TV

Hugh Jackman’s 10 Best Movies

Box Office Guru Wrapup: Real Steel Holds Off Footloose

View more photos

Synopsis

Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) used to be a prizefighter but lost his chance to win a title when heavy, towering robots took over the boxing ring. Now working as a small-time promoter, Charlie pieces together scrap metal into low-end fighters, barely earning enough to make it from one underground venue to the next. After hitting rock bottom, Charlie reluctantly teams with his estranged son, Max (Dakota Goyo), to build and train a championship robot for a last shot at redemption.

Director: Shawn Levy
Producer: Don Murphy, Susan Montford, Shawn Levy
Screenwriter: John Gatins
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: 21 Laps Entertainment, Montford Murphy
Rating: PG-13 (Intense Action|Brief Language|Some Violence)
Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 7, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $85.5M
Runtime: 2h 7m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital

Most Popular at Home Now