The Shadow

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The Shadow

PG-13

1994

1h 42m

Action

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

38%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

45%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Set in the 1930s New York, a reformed criminal becomes a superhero. With the aid of a beautiful female friend, a playboy millionaire with a dark past sets out to bring the evil Shiwan Khan to justice. His quarry, who is determined to attain world domination, is a deadly descendant of Genghis Khan and will not surrender without a fight.

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Critics Consensus

Bringing a classic pulp character to the big screen, The Shadow features impressive visual effects, but the story ultimately fails to strike a memorable chord.

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Steve Murray

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sep 23, 2025

3/4

The film is a lark that doesn't quite feel fresh.

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Jack Yeovil

Empire Magazine

Jul 16, 2010

3/5

A pleasant, eye-pleasing movie.

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Jul 6, 2010

D

The movie has all the coherence of a bad acid flashback.

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Gary Wolcott

Tri-City Herald

Mar 1, 2024

3/5

The Shadow rates high on style and low on story.

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Steven Alan McGaw

Texas Triangle/TXT

May 8, 2023

What makes Baldwin's performance, and the film, so enjoyable is the refreshing absence of angst. Cranston Is no tortured hero... He's a good guy and he knows it, and he's not afraid to enjoy the high life when he's not fighting crime.

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Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

Feb 25, 2022

2.5/4

The Shadow seeks to be another Batman. It is more likely to be another Doc Savage or Flash Gordon - both lackluster attempts to translate past pulp heroes into big-screen money.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 2, 2026

I thought this movie did an excellent job with great special effects. Thus my 3 star review!

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jan A

@RT56343825 Aug 16, 2026

Back in the day, Roger Ebert gave this 3/4, mainly (I believe) out of nostalgia. IF it was worthy then, it hasn't really aged very well. The writing is.....poor and what can the trapped cast do with it? The art deco extravaganza was lovely, tho, and the talent (whose struggles weren't to do justice to a great script, but to keep the audience as diverted as possible) was incredible. Studio: you spent $ on these fine actors...let them prove their worth. Sir Ian McKellan: wasted! Boyle: wasted! Winters: wasted! What could this movie have been if the script had been tight? We'll never know. (and just for the record, when it comes to a *Khan*, I much prefer the Star Trek one. The blood line had apparently run its course by the time this ill-conceived bastard saw the dark of night)

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NYconcretejungle T.

@NYconcrete Mar 22, 2026

Captures the old 90s feel of New York city. My buddy told me about it and I gave it a watch seeing as I like DC movies. They should do a remake of the shadow his story is pretty dope. Underrated.

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Sarah G.

@SarahG Mar 7, 2026

I terribly underrated movie.

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Glafira Regina O

@Glafira_Regina Feb 11, 2026

Menacing Mongolians with arbalests in the centre of New York City. Good Lord, what a raving

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Dean I

@Dean0mac Jan 12, 2026

I remember when this movie came out. Some friends and I went and saw it in the theater. I used to listen to the radio show Lights Out on Rock 101 at 10pm on Sundays. Always started with The Shadow radio show. Alec Baldwin’s performance in this movie was amazing imo. Yes it’s a cheesy 1930/40’s Noire film. That being said it’s a great flick.

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Russell Mulcahy

Director

Alec Baldwin

Lamont Cranston

John Lone

Shiwan Khan

Penelope Ann Miller

Margo Lane

Peter Boyle

Moe Shrevnitz

Ian McKellen

Dr. Reinhardt Lane

The Shadow: Official Clip - The Living Shadow

3:47

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The Shadow: Official Clip - The Evil in the Hearts of Men

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The Shadow: Official Clip - To Fight A Shadow

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The Shadow: Official Clip - Join Me or Die

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The Shadow: Official Clip - You Can't Run From The Shadow

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The Shadow: Official Clip - The Nightmares of Heroes

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The Shadow: Official Clip - A Water Filled Hell

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The Shadow: Official Clip - You're Finished, Khan

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The Shadow: Official Clip - Showing Claymore the Exit

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The Shadow: Official Clip - You Know I'm Gonna Stop You

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Synopsis

Set in the 1930s New York, a reformed criminal becomes a superhero. With the aid of a beautiful female friend, a playboy millionaire with a dark past sets out to bring the evil Shiwan Khan to justice. His quarry, who is determined to attain world domination, is a deadly descendant of Genghis Khan and will not surrender without a fight.

Director: Russell Mulcahy
Producer: Martin Bregman, Willi Bär, Michael Scott Bregman
Distributor: Universal
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Bregman/Baer Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 1, 1994, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $32.0M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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