Common Sense Media Review
Consent issues in sweeping, nostalgic superhero adventure.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
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Superman: The Movie
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 23 parent reviews
Based on 52 kid reviews
Kids say this classic superhero film captivates both younger and older audiences with its thrilling action and positive messages about courage and integrity, although it features some mild language and brief nudity that parents might find concerning. Many reviews regard it as a must-see for its historical significance in the genre, with most agreeing that while some scenes may be too intense for very young viewers, the overall experience remains enjoyable and heartwarming.
- classic superhero film
- positive messages
- mixed suitability
- mild language
- brief nudity
- thrilling action
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
At the start of SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE, the planet Krypton is about to explode, and administrator Jor-El (Marlon Brando) ensures his baby son's safety by putting him in a spaceship bound for Earth. The Kents, an American farm couple, discover the boy from space and raise him as their son, Clark. Upon adulthood, Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve) sets out for the big city of Metropolis, where he lands a job as a reporter on The Daily Planet. He also fights crime as Superman, a name given to him by reporter Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), a co-worker on the Planet whom Clark secretly loves. Meanwhile, criminal mastermind Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) develops a plan to cause a deadly earthquake in California, and it's up to Superman to stop him.
Is It Any Good?
Reeve proves an ideal Superman, with just the right level of steadfast simplicity. But the filmmakers' emphasis on larger-than-life moviemaking (Superman: The Movie won a Special Achievement Oscar for visual effects) results in a movie that drags in parts. The quartet of screenwriters—who individually contributed to The Godfather and Bonnie and Clyde—created an overlong spectacle that spends an inordinate amount of time recounting Superman's origin, then fragments into episodic crime-fighting vignettes.
Younger viewers may not have the patience to wait through the first third of Superman: The Movie before getting a glimpse of Superman's famous costume, and the movie is more than half over before he starts fighting crime in Metropolis. Thus, the movie will probably appeal mainly to adults looking for a nostalgic throwback, especially if they can overlook the way women are treated in this 1970s blockbuster.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about their favorite superhero movies and whether Superman: The Movie makes the list. What makes a good superhero movie?
What does it mean to you that Superman fights for the "American way"? What are the positives of such a statement? What about negative implications?
Do you consider Lois Lane a positive example of a "strong woman" in this film? What about Miss Teschmacher? How might the film be different if the same story was told from their perspectives?
How do the characters in Superman: The Movie demonstrate integrity? Why is this an important character strength?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 15, 1978
- On DVD or streaming : June 3, 2003
- Cast : Christopher Reeve , Gene Hackman , Margot Kidder
- Director : Richard Donner
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Family Stories ( Adoptees and Foster Kids ) , Adventures , Aliens , Faith , Fantasy , Friendship , Space , STEM , Superheroes
- Character Strengths : Integrity
- Run time : 144 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : parental guidance
- Last updated : September 5, 2025
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