Superman

Name: Superman
Genre: Science Fiction, Action, Adventure
Released: 1978-12-14
Cast: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Ned Beatty

1978 | 144 min | Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

It won an Oscar, people are still talking about it and it earned strong reviews (87% on Rotten Tomatoes). A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for sci-fi fans and action fans. If you loved Avengers: Age of Ultron or The Fantastic 4: First Steps, start here.
The mood: Exciting.
The pace: Fast-moving, at 2 hr 24 min.
What might put you off: Made in 1978: an older pace and style.

Mild-mannered Clark Kent works as a reporter at the Daily Planet alongside his crush, Lois Lane. Clark must summon his superhero alter-ego when the nefarious Lex Luthor launches a plan to take over the world.

How it earned its rating

CriticsStrong
87% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
AwardsVery strong
Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Visual Effects (Special Achievement). Won 1 BAFTA: British Academy Film Awards: Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles. Also nominated for 3 more Oscars, 1 Golden Globe and 4 more BAFTAs. Plus 5 other awards.
Box office & staying powerStrong
$300 million worldwide on a $55 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactVery strong
About 582K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

Cast & crew

Directed by Richard Donner

Christopher ReeveSuperman / Clark Kent
Margot KidderLois Lane
Gene HackmanLex Luthor
Marlon BrandoJor-El
Ned BeattyOtis
Jackie CooperPerry White
Glenn FordPa Kent
Trevor Howard1st Elder
Jack O'HalloranNon
Valerie PerrineEve Teschmacher