Superman Returns

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2:34

Superman Returns

PG-13

2006

2h 34m

Adventure

Action

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

290 Reviews

60%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

While Lex Luthor plots to destroy him once and for all, the Man of Steel returns after a long absence to a much-changed world. Lois Lane has moved on with her life, and society has learned to survive without him. Superman must find a way to reconnect with her and find his place in a world that may no longer need him.

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Critics Consensus

Bryan Singer's reverent and visually decadent adaptation gives the Man of Steel welcome emotional complexity. The result: a satisfying stick-to-your-ribs adaptation.

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Cosmo Landesman

The Times (UK)

Jul 8

4/5

What this film has — and what is missing from most superhero films these days — is a real sense of the heroic.

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

Jul 7

3/5

"Why The World Doesn't Need Superman" is the title of Lois Lane's Pulitzer Prize-winning essay in this...blockbuster. At times, during Bryan Singer's overlong reworking, one can only agree with her. It's all highly competent but pretty predictable stuff.

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Anthony Quinn

Independent (UK)

Jul 7

2/5

Two cheers for Brandon Routh and his revitalizing of the role, though you will search in vain for any new angle on the square-jawed hero from Marvel Comics.

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Bob Ross

Tampa Tribune

Jul 8

A

The effects are spectacular, the story's true to tradition and the guy in tights presents a perfect blend of superhuman strength and lovelorn vulnerability.

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Michael D. Reid

Victoria Times Colonist (B.C., Canada)

Jul 8

4.5/5

...[Superman Returns] isn't just an eye-popping, terrifically entertaining action fantasy with enough nostalgic poignancy to make a man-child cry. It's a cunningly inspired allegory in which Superman is akin to no less a saviour than Jesus Christ.

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James Vance

Tulsa World

Jul 8

3/4

Graced with arresting visuals, intelligent writing and decent performances, "Superman Returns" is a soulful, wistful, not-quite-romance with all the action a summer movie crowd could want.

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Tony L.

@Tony_MovieBuff Jun 4

A touching tribute to the Reeves films but nothing special.

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Lennox B

@RT20632496 May 7

Very strange call back to Reeves wich is cool I guess. Old fashioned Lex hated that. Superman if he was home lander. Does some homelander things not in character. I love man of steel and that's dark Superman. But this is a bad dark superman

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Shea C

@SheaRants Apr 21

Pretty damn good Brandon routh embodies superman pretty well and i wish he stayed for longer as the role

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Ryan R

@RMRProductionsEntertainment Apr 5

Kind of a dumb plot. Very creepy Superman. Superboy is now Ultraman. This movie is just a big mess with nostalgiabait and comic book covers. It does however recapture the hope it Superman being needed and does show some of the best CGI fights and shots in DC history. This film also kinda tries to stay connected to the also messed up Donner-verse and that I don't hate too much because both are very messed up and weird. So yeah, Superman Returns is very mixed for me and I still don't know if it's garbage and nostalgiabait or a okay, meh Superman film.

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Frans B

@FransB Mar 1

Brilliant! Bryan Singer did good here. Intelligently written and brought to screen. Amazing cinematography and visually stunning. Brandon Routh makes for a convincing Superman, well, whole cast pretty convincing in character. Somewhat reminiscent of a nostalgic bygone era, which is nice. The whole ambiance created in this movie is entertaining. Lots of action, visceral fights, emotion, drama, suspense, intrigue and wonder. Somehow more gripping than before, engaging even.

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Daniel C.

@Daniel_OCaisde Jan 31

This was a terrible movie. The scene where Lex Luther beats up Superman was lame and overly brutal. And the fact Superman could fly the island of Kryptonite off world made me point and laugh at how bad the writing was for this film.

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Bryan Singer

Director

Brandon Routh

Clark Kent

Kate Bosworth

Lois Lane

James Marsden

Richard White

Frank Langella

Perry White

Eva Marie Saint

Martha Kent

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Superman Returns: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

While Lex Luthor plots to destroy him once and for all, the Man of Steel returns after a long absence to a much-changed world. Lois Lane has moved on with her life, and society has learned to survive without him. Superman must find a way to reconnect with her and find his place in a world that may no longer need him.

Director: Bryan Singer
Producer: Jon Peters, Bryan Singer, Gilbert Adler
Screenwriter: Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Rating: PG-13 (Some Intense Action Violence)
Genre: Adventure, Action, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 28, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 2, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $200.1M
Runtime: 2h 34m
Sound Mix: SDDS, DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)