Flash Gordon

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Flash Gordon

PG

1980

1h 50m

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

84%

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50 Reviews

69%

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25,000+ Ratings

Although NASA scientists are claiming the unexpected eclipse and strange hot hail are nothing to worry about, Dr. Hans Zarkov (Topol) knows better, and takes football star Flash Gordon (Sam Jones) and travel agent Dale Arden (Melody Anderson) with him into space to rectify things. They land on planet Mongo, where the despot Ming the Merciless (Max von Sydow) is attacking Earth out of pure boredom. With the help of a race of Hawkmen, Flash and the gang struggle to save their home planet.

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Critics Consensus

Campy charm and a knowing sense of humor help to overcome a silly plot involving a spacefaring ex-football player, his adoring bevy of groupies, and a supervillain named Ming the Merciless.

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Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

Aug 10, 2020

4/5

Basically, whether laughing with this film, or at it, you'll have a blast.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Jul 31, 2020

4/5

Perhaps, like many a superhero film, this one flags just a little in the final battle sequences, but Von Sydow is always there to keep things bizarre, playing it absolutely straight.

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Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

Jul 31, 2020

a mid-air skirmish of corny old-fashioned retrofuturism and knowing postmodernism, even as its veneer of homespun innocence keeps being subverted by the corrupting powers of kink.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Nov 30, 2023

5/5

...a deserved cult-classic with the widest of appeal. It’s camp, it’s silly, it’s funny and it manages to update the Boys Own charm of the original serials...

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Sep 7, 2022

The movie itself is pure fun, and its status has only benefitted from the resurgence of interest in Queen, who wrote and performed the original score.

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Alan Jones

Starburst

Jul 26, 2022

If the character of Flash Gordon reminds you of Buster Crabbe's exploits in vintage 1930s serials, then this new version of Flash Gordon is definitely for you.

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Jimmy G

@RT56238694 Nov 6, 2026

One of my favorite movies of all time. A classic feel-good movie.

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Jacob W

@RT17896586 Oct 31, 2026

A Classic

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Peter W

@RT12077588 Oct 23, 2026

Flash Gordon is nothing short of a wildly fun psychedelic ride straight out of the 80s. Sure, the acting and line delivery may not always be top tier, but that is honestly part of the film’s charm. What truly makes this movie so entertaining is its incredible sci fi world building, richly imaginative costume designs, impressive props and vibrant visual style that constantly bursts with creativity. Most importantly, the legendary soundtrack by Queen absolutely rocks and injects the film with endless high energy. It is fun, ridiculous, over the top and undeniably entertaining from beginning to end.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 3, 2026

The Songs by Queen were great, I loved the campiness of this movie!

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Max L

@RT64587319 Jul 26, 2026

This is a fun film to watch. From Queen's bespoke songs to the full on lean into the camp. It holds up well over time

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Daniel G.

@d_grady Feb 22, 2026

Should be a three star genre film on merits alone, but the art direction, wink-and-nod campiness and Queen soundtrack coalesce into something unique and fun.

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Mike Hodges

Director

Sam Jones

Flash Gordon

Melody Anderson

Dale Arden

Max von Sydow

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Synopsis

Although NASA scientists are claiming the unexpected eclipse and strange hot hail are nothing to worry about, Dr. Hans Zarkov (Topol) knows better, and takes football star Flash Gordon (Sam Jones) and travel agent Dale Arden (Melody Anderson) with him into space to rectify things. They land on planet Mongo, where the despot Ming the Merciless (Max von Sydow) is attacking Earth out of pure boredom. With the help of a race of Hawkmen, Flash and the gang struggle to save their home planet.

Director: Mike Hodges
Producer: Dino De Laurentiis
Screenwriter: Alex Raymond, Michael Allin, Lorenzo Semple Jr.
Distributor: Cinema Classics, Video Classics, MCA/Universal Pictures [us], Universal Pictures
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 5, 1980, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2012
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Surround
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

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