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Real Steel

Play trailer Poster for Real Steel PG-13 2011 2h 7m Action Drama Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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60% Tomatometer 230 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Charlie Kenton used to be a prizefighter but lost his chance to win a title when heavy, towering robots took over the boxing ring. Now working as a small-time promoter, Charlie pieces together scrap metal into low-end fighters, barely earning enough to make it from one underground venue to the next. After hitting rock bottom, Charlie reluctantly teams with his estranged son, Max, to build and train a championship robot for a last shot at redemption.
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Real Steel

Real Steel

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Critics Consensus

Silly premise notwithstanding, this is a well-made Hollywood movie: Thrilling and exciting action with just enough characterization.

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Critics Reviews

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Logan Hill New York Magazine/Vulture Nov 14, 2018
It's more of a throwback to Horatio Alger's Ragged Dick, a rags-to-middle-class-respectability tale about the humble joy of old-fashioned decency. Go to Full Review Tom Charity CNN.com Nov 14, 2018
It's as corny as Kansas, but the mix of old fashioned heart and new fangled animatronic cyber tech will make this picture a winner for fathers and sons. Go to Full Review Shawn Levy New York Times Nov 6, 2018
All things considered, it is a well-wrought piece of entertainment, confidently paced, although its necessary subplots are little more than dutiful filler sandwiched between fight sequences. Go to Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson Jul 28, 2025
3/5
As hokey as that sounds, "Real Steel" will catch you with a body blow of father-son emotion. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Mar 7, 2023
2.5/4
A tired old cast re-pressed and coated with a shiny new layer of wax. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Jul 9, 2022
Distill 'Rocky' and 'The Champ,' add a dash of The Rumble in the Jungle, shake well and serve in larger-than-life rock ’em sock ’em robots. That’s basically what you get with 'Real Steel'... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Nate S @RT65246076 20 hrs ago Two words: FIGHTING ROBOTS. Honestly I don't have too much else to say. Big fan of them. See more Robert P @Superbad Sep 24, 2026 Real Steel = a 3.5 star Movie! See more Christian D @Vosten Sep 5, 2026 God I love this movie See more August T @RT84623723 Jul 26, 2026 It may not be the most original or ultra-deep plot, but it is incredibly well directed, and the effects hold up almost 15 years later. 15! It tells a classic feel-good underdog story, which even though the critics didn't rate highly, became the people's champion. The fight scenes are kick-ass, and there isn't much more that needs to be said. 10/10, really too bad the sequel fell through. Praying Disney actually ends up releasing the Disney+ original which had been confirmed like 5 years ago but it's been crickets since 😭😭😭 See more Andrew M @Wamcubs Jul 17, 2026 Decent kids movie. I’ve watched it a few times just something on in the background. See more shahh S @RT45017389 Jul 2, 2026 Absolutely amazing movie, in my opinion the best movie in this catagory ever! My father introducded me to this movie when i was about 7-8 years old, which i thought was gonna be some boring robot fighting movie was the biggest mistake i made, this movie is so well directed with the story and fighting scenes that nothing will compare to this movie ever again, truly a must see, till this day i still recommend this to all my friends and put this movie on for anyone. See more Read all reviews
Real Steel

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Shawn Levy

Director

Hugh Jackman

Charlie Kenton

Evangeline Lilly

Bailey Tallet

Dakota Goyo

Max

Anthony Mackie

Finn

Kevin Durand

Ricky

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Real Steel

Hugh Jackman at Comic Con 2011 for Real Steel Real Steel LA Premiere Real Steel LA Premiere Real Steel LA Premiere Real Steel LA Premiere Real Steel LA Premiere Real Steel LA Premiere Real Steel LA Premiere Real Steel LA Premiere View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Charlie Kenton used to be a prizefighter but lost his chance to win a title when heavy, towering robots took over the boxing ring. Now working as a small-time promoter, Charlie pieces together scrap metal into low-end fighters, barely earning enough to make it from one underground venue to the next. After hitting rock bottom, Charlie reluctantly teams with his estranged son, Max, to build and train a championship robot for a last shot at redemption.
Director
Shawn Levy
Producer
Don Murphy, Susan Montford, Shawn Levy
Screenwriter
John Gatins
Distributor
Walt Disney
Production Co
DreamWorks, Montford Murphy, 21 Laps Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Intense Action|Brief Language|Some Violence)
Genre
Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 7, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$85.5M
Runtime
2h 7m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital
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