Real Steel

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Real Steel

PG-13

Released Oct 7, 2011

2h 7m

Action

Drama

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

60%

Tomatometer

233 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Charlie Kenton 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, to build and train a championship robot for a last shot at redemption.

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Critics Consensus

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

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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

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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

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Pranav K

This movie is well thought out with a progressing storyline and a statisfing end. Relatable characters that have well-curated backstories and characteristics contribute to the brilliance of the movie as a whole. A cliche idea that is well presented and unique, for a movie that probably brings nostalgia to masses. This movie was an amazing watch, and particularly rewatchable. While watching I was searching for the release date of the sequel, and will be looking forward to its release.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/27/25

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Vivianna _

Although I definetly agree with the critics who say it's "cheesy" / "corny" it is well worth the watch. The movie and storyline has this ability to get under your skin and feel attached to Max (the little boy) and Atom (the robot). This is definitely a movie to watch with a kid or for family night, or if you're like me, one to unwind, but fair warning you definitely will get riled up in the last couple of minutes of the movie. Overall an amazing movie, never fails to reel me in everytime emotionally and brings me to a couple of tears in the last few minutes. Amazing and nostalgic movie for sure!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/22/25

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Samuel T

One of my all time favourite movies!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/16/25

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Jorge R

Cool robots. Real Steal is really cool overall!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/21/25

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Shanani M

Very Original and Enjoyable

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/11/25

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Audience Member

🎵Till I Collapse🎵 I Will Love this

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/11/25

Full Review

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Shawn Levy

Director

Hugh Jackman

Charlie Kenton

Evangeline Lilly

Bailey Tallet

Dakota Goyo

Max

Anthony Mackie

Finn

Kevin Durand

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Synopsis

Charlie Kenton 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, 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

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