Superman Returns

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2:34

Superman Returns

PG-13

Released Jun 28, 2006

2h 34m

Adventure

Action

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

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Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

290 Reviews

60%

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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)

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

Rated: 4/5

Jul 8, 2025

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

"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.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 7, 2025

Full Review

Anthony Quinn

Independent (UK)

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.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 7, 2025

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Bob Ross

Tampa Tribune

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.

Rated: A

Jul 8, 2025

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Michael D. Reid

Victoria Times Colonist (B.C., Canada)

...[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.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jul 8, 2025

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James Vance

Tulsa World

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.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 8, 2025

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Luna W

I really love this movie. It's now great, yes but it's not bad actually I appreciate more now than before, I never got tired of watching this and Brandon Routh was a good casting but bad writing. They did him dirty and he didn't deserve the blame for it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

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Joshua H

Man, I really liked this. For context this set 5 years after the events of Superman 2 and they completely do away with Superman 3 & 4 (probably for thr best). I was really surprised with how much I was able to engage with it, I usually struggle when there's a recast but in this film it just works (which is surprising as they had recast the entire movie). It feels like a massive love letter to those iconic Superman movies as well as there impact. Lex Luthor was really good in this movie as the carry, evil villain that you want to see get defeated. Brandon Routh does a good enough job as Superman but I just think he tried to capture that Christopher Reeve magic a bit too much (he's not Christopher Reeve after all). I never feel he found his own in the role (also he's at times a little bit if a stalker which I could have done less with). As Christian I love that they went even further with the Jesus Christ comparison, the world really does need a saviour. But yeah, a very pleasant surprise.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/22/25

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Isaiah B

Superman Returns is a good movie that really encapsulates what the original superman movies did while also adding some more depth to the character. There are a few moments where you can see some wear and tear in the film, but the story is fun and makes you feel like your watching the Chrisopher Reeve movies all over again.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/21/25

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Miguel Andrés S

Instead of making a big comeback, this movie is half a homage, half a remake and a kind of sequel. Who knows what Singer wanted, I don't see how this movie would be a second part.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/21/25

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Nolan B.

Superman Returns has a great cast and great effects and captures the magic of the first two movies. But feels way too long and feels very dated despite coming out in a different era than Superman 1 & 2.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/22/25

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Matt T

Thourghly classic superman vibes, very kitsch. Not my cup of tea, I prefer the more gritty, darker more 'real' version from man of steel

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

Full Review

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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)

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