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Parents' Guide to

Superman II

By Ed Grant, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Witty, action-packed superadventure with big themes.

Movie PG 1981 127 minutes
Superman II Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 8 parent reviews

Michael B.
Michael B. Parent
August 29, 2017
age 10+

Classic Super Hero movie the family will enjoy, but take care with younger viewers

This movie is one of the great classic super hero movies. The pacing isn't terribly fast making it very watchable for school age kids. However, parents need to know there is a fair amount of foul language, lots of smoking by the lead actress and supporting actors and a scene where Lois and Clark are naked in bed together in an embrace. My 8 year old asked if they were naked in the bed? I wish Common Sense media had mentioned this scene. I don't mind things like that but would have liked to be prepared. This was the first case where common sense media let me down. So I had to sign up just to write this review.

This title has:

Great role models
Too much swearing
3 people found this helpful.
lewis B.
lewis B. Parent of 12-year-old
May 1, 2023
age 5+

superman II

"Superman II" is a sequel to the original 1978 film and features similar content with some additional themes that parents should be aware of before watching with their children. Violence: The movie features some action violence, including fighting, explosions, and gunfire. Superman battles three Kryptonian villains who have come to Earth and threaten to take over the world. There are some intense fight scenes and moments of peril, but they are not overly graphic or gory. Language: There is some mild language in the film, including a few uses of "hell" and "damn." There is also one instance of "son of a bitch." Sexual content: There are a few instances of sexual content in the movie, including a scene where Superman and Lois Lane spend the night together in a hotel room. There is no nudity or explicit sexual content, but parents may want to use discretion depending on the age of their children. Drinking and smoking: There is some drinking and smoking in the movie, including a scene where Clark Kent and Lois Lane drink champagne together. There are also a few instances where characters smoke cigarettes. Themes: The film deals with themes of love, sacrifice, and the consequences of power. Parents may want to discuss these themes with their children after watching the movie. Overall, "Superman II" is a fun and exciting superhero movie, but parents should be aware of the additional themes and sexual content in comparison to the original film. It's recommended for children who are comfortable with action violence and mature themes, and parents should use discretion depending on their child's age and sensitivity.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 8 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In SUPERMAN II, three treasonous villains from Krypton who have been serving a prison sentence are set free by a chance hydrogen bomb blast. Meanwhile, Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) realizes that her timid coworker Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve) is actually Superman. Superman takes her to his Fortress of Solitude retreat to celebrate (and consummate) their love. Per Kryptonian law, he gives up his superpowers when he consummates his relationship. Meanwhile, the Kryptonian supervillians take over a town and proclaim their dominion over Earth. Superman returns to the Fortress to restore his powers, and then battles the trio, who are now being advised by Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) who has escaped his own prison sentence. After the trio smash most of Metropolis, they are outwitted by Superman, who chooses to retain his powers despite his love for Lois.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (8 ):
Kids say (24 ):

Superman II is the most entertaining and exciting live-action Superman adventure. It delivers plenty of slam-bang action, a hearty dose of amusing sight gags, and a wonderfully endearing take on our hero's love life. Top-notch scripting and direction elevate this sequel above other depictions of the Man of Steel, with the exception of the later WB animated series.

The major failing of Superman was its emphasis on preliminaries -- an extended origin story, sketching of the central characters, and a delineation of our hero's superpowers. Superman II cuts to the chase by introducing the cast of supervillains and getting Lois and Superman together right away. The key elements distinguishing Superman II are its whimsical sense of humor and excellent pacing.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what they value most in life and what they would sacrifice for it. What would they do in Superman's shoes?

  • How is this movie different from the original? Which do you think is better?

  • Why do you think Superman has to sacrifice his powers to be with Lois?

Movie Details

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