Superman: The Movie

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Superman: The Movie

PG

Released Dec 15, 1978

2h 23m

Adventure

Sci-Fi

Action

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

118 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Just before the destruction of the planet Krypton, scientist Jor-El (Marlon Brando) sends his infant son Kal-El on a spaceship to Earth. Raised by kindly farmers Jonathan (Glenn Ford) and Martha Kent (Phyllis Thaxter), young Clark (Christopher Reeve) discovers the source of his superhuman powers and moves to Metropolis to fight evil. As Superman, he battles the villainous Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), while, as novice reporter Clark Kent, he attempts to woo co-worker Lois Lane (Margot Kidder).

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Critics Consensus

Superman deftly blends humor and gravitas, taking advantage of the perfectly cast Christopher Reeve to craft a loving, nostalgic tribute to an American pop culture icon.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

The film is a delightful mess. Good performances. Sloppy editing. Cheap nonflying special effects. Funny dialog. In sum, Superman is the kind of picture critics tear apart, but still say, "You ought to see it."

Rated: 3/4

Jul 8, 2025

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Susan Stark

Detroit Free Press

What was fun in the comic books, what is still fun in the comic books 40 years later, is also fun in the movie. The fun is scaled up, to be sure. The fun is spectacular. But it is never snide, never mocking.

Jul 8, 2025

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Alexander Walker

London Evening Standard

[Christopher Reeve's] Superman impersonation stays just a mocking glint this side of self-parody. They are lucky to have found a fellow who looks as if a comic-strip artist had held God's hand in his body-work.

Jul 8, 2025

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Stephen A. Russell

Orion's Shoulder (Substack)

The eruption of Krypton in Donner’s first flight is a thing of unmitigated cinematic beauty, Brando’s cue cards be damned. As is the earthquake’s devastation – more models please – and Clark’s determination to turn back time.

Jul 9, 2025

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Roy Peter Clark

Tampa Bay Times

Like watching five different movies: a highly symbolic sci-fi spectacular; a midwestern pastoral ballad; a high-camp comedy; a star-crossed romance; and a disaster film. Each section has its own charm. Together they offer a spectacular, but flawed work.

Rated: 4/4

Jul 8, 2025

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Ronald E. Butler

Tulsa World

In the action sequences and in the overall sweep of such an epic-sized story, Donner is adrift amid a tidal wave of writers, producers and conflicting concepts.

Jul 8, 2025

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Mr. Hollywood

The classic superhero movie still holds up. Some scenes are campy for sure but the whole film is enjoyable and is better than most current superhero movies out there. RIP Richard Donor, Christopher Reeves, Margot Kidder, Marlon Brando etc

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/26/23

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Adam P

Greatest superhero movie ever made

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/20/23

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Eduardo

I really enjoyed watching this movie on the big screen for the 1st time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/19/23

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Doug S

Still the bar for superhero movies to strive for. Idealistic. Wholesome. Joy filled. John Williams! Yes dated in many ways but holds up. Wonderful to see on a big screen again. My daughter looked at me during the opening credits & said do you feel like youre 8 again? Yes I did.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/19/23

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Shelby

I loved everything!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/19/23

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Wil

What can you say, it's a masterpiece.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/19/23

Full Review

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Richard Donner

Director

Christopher Reeve

Clark Kent

Gene Hackman

Lex Luthor

Marlon Brando

Jor-El

Margot Kidder

Lois Lane

Ned Beatty

Otis

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Superman: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Just before the destruction of the planet Krypton, scientist Jor-El (Marlon Brando) sends his infant son Kal-El on a spaceship to Earth. Raised by kindly farmers Jonathan (Glenn Ford) and Martha Kent (Phyllis Thaxter), young Clark (Christopher Reeve) discovers the source of his superhuman powers and moves to Metropolis to fight evil. As Superman, he battles the villainous Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), while, as novice reporter Clark Kent, he attempts to woo co-worker Lois Lane (Margot Kidder).

Director: Richard Donner
Producer: Pierre Spengler, Richard Lester, Alexander Salkind
Screenwriter: Jerry Siegel, Mario Puzo, David Newman, Robert Benton, Tom Mankiewicz, Leslie Newman
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Dovemead Films, Film Export A.G., International Film Production
Rating: PG
Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Action, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 15, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2008
Runtime: 2h 23m
Sound Mix: Surround

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