Xanadu

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Xanadu

PG

1980

1h 36m

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

33%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

58%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Struggling artist Sonny Malone (Michael Beck) is trapped in a dull job painting album covers. He is instantly attracted to Kira (Olivia Newton-John), an anonymous woman randomly photographed in the background of one of his assignments, but no one is able to identify her. Visiting the auditorium where the cover was shot, Sonny finds the mysterious beauty, an ageless Greek muse, who encourages him to team up with old-fashioned Danny McGuire (Gene Kelly) to build a roller-skating disco.

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Critics Consensus

Not even spandex and over-the-top musical numbers can save Xanadu from questionable acting, unimpressive effects, and a story unencumbered by logic.

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Tom Shales

Washington Post

04/01/2019

"Xanadu" cannot possibly be described as a good movie, but it can be recommended to those who can tolerate large amounts of intravenous marzipan.

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William Thomas

Empire Magazine

04/01/2019

2/5

This modern musical with tunes written by Where Are They Now pop band ELO falls flat on its face simply because the premise is so utterly ludicrous.

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Jeff McLaughlin

Boston Globe

04/28/2018

The acting is wooden, the direction and cinematography confused, the special effects largely out of place, the dramatic interest nonexistent.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 6

1/4

This ghastly achievement manages to trumpet the worst excesses of both the fading ’70s disco craze and the burgeoning ’80s New Wave scene.

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Frank J. Avella

The Contending

Aug 19

C+

What holds the film together is Newton-John’s charm and vivacity. She’s a natural onscreen... Playing a muse is not easy, and she manages to find the ethereal/human balance.

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Christopher Lloyd

The Film Yap

11/25/2024

1.5/5

The much-pilloried roller disco musical went on to become a Broadway hit and cult classic, and upon further reconsideration... still deserves its reputation as an all-time dud.

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Ky W

08/07/2022

Beyond amazing campy cheesy family fun. Great music.

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Steven P

@RT74098639 Jun 28

One of the best movies of the 80’s that the idiotic critics weren’t prepared for. I’m actually watching it now. It’s a great musical and unlike the stupid critics I find nothing wrong with this movie! 10 out of 10

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Kelly N

@RT11829278 Jun 20

This was one of my parent's favourite movies. I was 5 when it was originally released. So cheesy even by 80's standards but I love the music. This is where I began my love for ELO! I feel the problem with this movie other than the horrible writing and acting is that it was released too late. Disco was just beginning the world wide hate for it. I rewatched because my mother told my wife it's a great movie. My wife says she liked the dancing and singing but yea the acting and writing awful lol

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Luis G.

@RT56771705 Jun 6

The music is the best part of this movie. There’s no story line and so many plot holes. How does this guy have a job if he never finishes his projects. The music helps this go from a 1 to a 3.

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Eye C

@ECinc May 18

A stupid story, bad performances, good music (if you like The Electric Light Orchestra), the only thing that is truely enjoyable is Gene Kelly, and that's it.

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Grant H

@RT95929188 May 13

Almost indescribably bad! In the roller disco world where brown is the predominant colour and one is treated to a tightrope walker’s attempted self-emasculation, not even the radiant beauty of Olivia Newton John can save this woeful milieu of kitsch, pathetic script and incongruous set dances. One of the worst!

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Robert Greenwald

Director

Olivia Newton-John

Kira

Gene Kelly

Danny McGuire

Michael Beck

Sonny Malone

James Sloyan

Simpson

Dimitra Arliss

Helen

Xanadu: Official Clip - All Over the World

3:48

Xanadu: Official Clip - Don't Walk Away

2:20

Xanadu: Official Clip - I'm Alive

3:56

Xanadu: Official Clip - Dancin'

4:48

Xanadu: Official Clip - Suddenly

3:54

Xanadu: Official Clip - Fool Country & Xanadu Reprise

3:22

Xanadu: Official Clip - Suspended in Time

3:33

Xanadu: Official Clip - Whenever You're With Me

4:36

Xanadu: Official Clip - Drum Dreams

3:23

Xanadu: Official Clip - Xanadu

3:00

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Synopsis

Struggling artist Sonny Malone (Michael Beck) is trapped in a dull job painting album covers. He is instantly attracted to Kira (Olivia Newton-John), an anonymous woman randomly photographed in the background of one of his assignments, but no one is able to identify her. Visiting the auditorium where the cover was shot, Sonny finds the mysterious beauty, an ageless Greek muse, who encourages him to team up with old-fashioned Danny McGuire (Gene Kelly) to build a roller-skating disco.

Director: Robert Greenwald
Producer: Lawrence Gordon
Screenwriter: Richard Christian Danus
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal/Universal Int
Rating: PG
Genre: Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 8, 1980, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 18, 2014
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Surround