Superman II

PG

Released Jun 19, 1980

2 hr. 7 min.

Adventure

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

Action

List

83%

60 Reviews

Tomatometer

76%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Superman (Christopher Reeve) foils the plot of terrorists by hurtling their nuclear device into outer space, but the bomb's shock waves free the Kryptonian villain General Zod (Terence Stamp) and his henchmen Ursa (Sarah Douglas) and Non (Jack O'Halloran) from their imprisonment. Traveling to Earth, they threaten the planet with destruction at the same time that Superman decides to renounce his superpowers in order to live a normal life as Clark Kent with his new love, Lois Lane (Margot Kidder).

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Critics Consensus

The humor occasionally stumbles into slapstick territory, and the special effects are dated, but Superman II meets, if not exceeds, the standard set by its predecessor.

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Jason R

an Enjoyable Sequel to Superman: The Movie, Superman/Clark grow closer together as the secret is discovered, Both Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder are greta once again in the lead roles, actually the only thing I disagreed with in this film was Jor-El making Clark chose between being Superman and being with Lois, their relationship is legendary in the comics, so I think Superman shouldn't have to chose between love and being Superman, should be with Lois and be Superman.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/20/24

Full Review

Dave B

I'm not sure if Superman II was a comedy but most of it was so ridiculous it was hilarious! Especially the last fight scene where the million extras took over the movie. My favourite bit was when the power struggle to save the world is taking place in the street they're standing in, one guy has decided to buy an ice cream! Brilliant!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/10/24

Full Review

Tony R

Yeah, the writing is almost as bad as BVS to be honest, this one is just more entertaining. The entire subplot with Superman sacrificing his powers to be with Lois is pointless and stupid, makes no sense whatsoever and is never really explained why he has to give them up to be with her. Also, Lex Luthor is genuinely a moron in this, he's surprised when Zod says to kill him after the 5th time, and this is supposedly the smartest man in the world. They say man of steel ruins the characters, but these same people have never once read a Superman comic and it shows.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/10/24

Full Review

Jeff M

As far as I'm concerned, this is the greatest superhero movie ever made - an absolutely perfect blend of fantasy, drama, comedy, nostalgia and romance. Terence Stamp as General Zod is an all-timer villain and would have appeared on my Oscar ballot for Best Supporting Actor. The beginning set piece in Paris and the climactic battle in New York are breathtaking. The scene of the young boy falling into Niagara Falls sends shivers down my spine. And at the heart of everything are Reeve and Kidder - the definitive Superman and Lois Lane for all time. Let's just face it, they are one HOT couple here, and their romance is surprisingly the single greatest attribute of this film. I've always considered Kidder the unsung secret weapon of the SUPERMAN films - she was born to play Lois Lane, and she knocks it out of the park. It is an amazing achievement in all areas of production, and 40+ years later it still stands up magnificently, perhaps even better with age. Just between you and me, when I'm alone and feeling goofy, I will yell "KNEEL BEFORE ZOD" just to be a dork. It's one of the great movies of my childhood, and I'm so happy that it remains such a wonderful film even as a 50-year-old. Cinematic bliss! And in a peculiar sort of way, it makes me proud to be an American.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/17/24

Full Review

Rami A

Despite not being nearly as amazing as the first, it is nonetheless entertaining to watch this second installment. The same objectives of the first film are achieved, albeit in a different way. It does, however, feels inferior to the first. Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Terrance Stamp, and Margot Kidder all deliver outstanding performances.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

Full Review

Freddie R

You call this a masterpiece. The first ten minutes is a recap of superman l. Boomers do have an obscure version of what they call great. Man of steel pays respect to these 2 movies but is far superior to this jumbled garbage of a dumpster fire.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/09/23

Full Review

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Richard Lester

Director

Christopher Reeve

Clark Kent

Margot Kidder

Lois Lane

Gene Hackman

Lex Luthor

Ned Beatty

Otis

Jackie Cooper

Perry White

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Patrick Gibbs

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Alas for good intentions, the new mixture turns out to be much as before, which I didn't rate very highly.

Jun 17, 2022

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

Guardian

Dick Lester's Superman II makes a groaningly slow start but finally ends up a better movie than Superman I. Of course, it has to be because more of the same would look a bit second-hand another time round.

Jun 17, 2022

Full Review

David Robinson

Times (UK)

Superman's adventures, certainly, could be no sillier -- suspending our disbelief, of course, by the expertise of the technology, the prettiness of the art work, [and] the effacing charm of Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder.

Jun 16, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Slam-bang entertainment.

Rated: 3.5/4

May 13, 2023

Full Review

Lawrence O'Toole

Maclean's Magazine

Both the writing and the opticals are fiendishly clever and chock-full of dry, sly wit that is never gratuitously employed.

May 3, 2023

Full Review

John Brosnan

Starburst

Superman II is a winner on all counts and is even better than Superman I. It shines as a perfect example of how to put a comic strip character on the screen.

Jul 26, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Superman (Christopher Reeve) foils the plot of terrorists by hurtling their nuclear device into outer space, but the bomb's shock waves free the Kryptonian villain General Zod (Terence Stamp) and his henchmen Ursa (Sarah Douglas) and Non (Jack O'Halloran) from their imprisonment. Traveling to Earth, they threaten the planet with destruction at the same time that Superman decides to renounce his superpowers in order to live a normal life as Clark Kent with his new love, Lois Lane (Margot Kidder).

Director: Richard Lester
Executive Producer: Ilya Salkind
Screenwriter: Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Rating: PG
Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 19, 1980, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008
Sound Mix: Surround

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