Superman Returns

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2:34

Superman Returns

PG-13

2006

2h 34m

Adventure

Action

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

290 Reviews

60%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

While Lex Luthor plots to destroy him once and for all, the Man of Steel returns after a long absence to a much-changed world. Lois Lane has moved on with her life, and society has learned to survive without him. Superman must find a way to reconnect with her and find his place in a world that may no longer need him.

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Critics Consensus

Bryan Singer's reverent and visually decadent adaptation gives the Man of Steel welcome emotional complexity. The result: a satisfying stick-to-your-ribs adaptation.

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Cosmo Landesman

The Times (UK)

07/08/2025

4/5

What this film has — and what is missing from most superhero films these days — is a real sense of the heroic.

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

07/07/2025

3/5

"Why The World Doesn't Need Superman" is the title of Lois Lane's Pulitzer Prize-winning essay in this...blockbuster. At times, during Bryan Singer's overlong reworking, one can only agree with her. It's all highly competent but pretty predictable stuff.

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Anthony Quinn

Independent (UK)

07/07/2025

2/5

Two cheers for Brandon Routh and his revitalizing of the role, though you will search in vain for any new angle on the square-jawed hero from Marvel Comics.

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Bob Ross

Tampa Tribune

07/08/2025

A

The effects are spectacular, the story's true to tradition and the guy in tights presents a perfect blend of superhuman strength and lovelorn vulnerability.

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Michael D. Reid

Victoria Times Colonist (B.C., Canada)

07/08/2025

4.5/5

...[Superman Returns] isn't just an eye-popping, terrifically entertaining action fantasy with enough nostalgic poignancy to make a man-child cry. It's a cunningly inspired allegory in which Superman is akin to no less a saviour than Jesus Christ.

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James Vance

Tulsa World

07/08/2025

3/4

Graced with arresting visuals, intelligent writing and decent performances, "Superman Returns" is a soulful, wistful, not-quite-romance with all the action a summer movie crowd could want.

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Thomas F

@RT70557918 14h

Last Superman film in the books. I thought this movie was fantastically made, I loved the film grain and the lighting. It had that vintage feel to it. I didn’t think the plot was all that interesting though, I mean Lex Luther just took some crystals from Superman’s fortress. I don’t know, not all that compelling to me. I do think Routh did a good job portraying Reeve’s Superman style from the originals though. Better than Man of Steel, but not quite as good as 1978, 1980, or 2025 Superman.

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diogo13 T

@Tua_mera 5d

Filme para dormir de tão lento que é.

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Dan K

@RT05142617 Jun 28

Brandon Routh did a decent job taking on a role with incredibly large shoes to fill. But this film drags between action sequences and would have been better as a complete restart of the character, instead of being an intended sequel to Superman II

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Andre T

@andrestuckmannmoviereviews Jun 27

This movie is just kinda boring but flawed in a way that some of the characters show impact on themselves, Brandon Routh did fine as Superman, Kevin Spacey was good as Lex Luthor but Kate Bosworth was awful and she never had the tenacity to be Lois lane but I guess she was better than Adams but overall I will not watch this movie anytime soon. D+

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Daniel H.

@RT68448000 Jun 25

Pretty good. Well-played by Routh. The whole cast did well. Seeing what Superman could look like with CGI was awesome. However, the whole illegitimate super-child thing, the Superman left Earth (and Lois pregnant even if he didn't know it) thing, and the lack of action prevented this movie from being a worthy successor to Superman I and II.

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Will G

@Kingofthepixies Jun 21

Just watched this for the first time, 2026, don't believe the nay savers its a fine film and is grossly underrated. It's not swamped by special effects and 20 minute long action sequences unlike some today and has a decent storyline.

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Bryan Singer

Director

Brandon Routh

Clark Kent

Kate Bosworth

Lois Lane

James Marsden

Richard White

Frank Langella

Perry White

Eva Marie Saint

Martha Kent

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Superman Returns: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

While Lex Luthor plots to destroy him once and for all, the Man of Steel returns after a long absence to a much-changed world. Lois Lane has moved on with her life, and society has learned to survive without him. Superman must find a way to reconnect with her and find his place in a world that may no longer need him.

Director: Bryan Singer
Producer: Jon Peters, Bryan Singer, Gilbert Adler
Screenwriter: Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Rating: PG-13 (Some Intense Action Violence)
Genre: Adventure, Action, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 28, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 2, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $200.1M
Runtime: 2h 34m
Sound Mix: SDDS, DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)