Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Terrible '80s sequel has violence, nuclear weapons.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 13 kid reviews
Kids say that this movie is a mixed bag, with many finding it enjoyable despite its poor quality and lack of a coherent plot, while others deem it one of the worst superhero films. Key criticisms include bad special effects, a weak villain, and a generally silly tone, but some viewers appreciate the attempts at humor and the nostalgic '80s atmosphere.
- mixed reviews
- poor effects
- weak villain
- nostalgic tone
- silly humor
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Superman continues to fight evil and save those in need. When a schoolboy asks Superman (Christopher Reeve ) to rid the earth of nuclear weapons, Superman agrees. As he starts catching launched nuclear weapons mid-flight, Luther (Gene Hackman) plots to get rid of Superman with a newly created evil superbeing and then start selling black market nukes to the highest bidders. Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) continues to pine for Superman, and a newspaper publisher (Mariel Hemingway) puts the moves on an unresponsive Clark Kent.
Is It Any Good?
Originally budgeted at $35 million, this movie had its funding cut by $20 million, resulting in terrible special effects and nonsensical plot points -- flaws that have not improved with age. Superman's mother's voice speaks to him at times, and one wonders why she does so with a British accent. It feels odd to criticize a cartoon for being cartoonish, but the hope is that movies based on comic books will transcend their origins when reformatted as big-screen adventures. This one doesn't even equal the thrill of the actual comic books. A woman is kidnapped and flown into space without an oxygen tank. How does she survive? The movie's heart seems to be in the right place -- nuclear proliferation and containment are important issues -- but it's laughable to think that Superman's plan is to collect nukes only when they're shot into space on missiles. What is his plan for all the weapons stockpiled on earth? Luther seems too goofy to be a truly evil genius, and one can't help but wonder why the police aren't looking for him as soon as he escapes from prison. Why doesn't Superman just grab him and fly him directly back into prison upon their first encounter? The answer is that such a move would end the movie before it even begins.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why some people think all nuclear weapons should be destroyed. What do you think?
How does the movie treat bad guys? Are they scary or a little silly?
How does this movie compare to the past titles in the series?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 7, 1987
- On DVD or streaming : November 28, 2006
- Cast : Christopher Reeve , Margot Kidder , Gene Hackman , Mariel Hemingway
- Director : Sidney J. Furie
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Home Video
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : for action sequences and brief language
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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