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Superman Returns

2006·Movie
2h 34min·PG-13
IMDb6.1Metacritic725.6Rotten Tomatoes72%60%

Where to watch

HBO Max

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Superman Returns fingerprint

High energy, striking style, a touch of humor.

Energy

Epic and thrilling

Fast from start to finish.

  • Spectacle9
  • Adrenaline7
  • Fast Pace7

Heart

Hopeful and wondrous

  • Hopefulness8
  • Wonder8
  • Romance7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Physical Comedy3
  • Situational Comedy2

World

The future and pop culture

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Rewatchability6
  • Dialogue Centrality5

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Direction7
  • Acting7
  • Narrative Structure7

Style

Standout cinematography and score

  • Cinematography8
  • Music Composition8
  • Editing7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Look up in the sky!

Superman returns to discover his 5-year absence has allowed Lex Luthor to walk free, and that those he was closest to felt abandoned and have moved on. Luthor plots his ultimate revenge that could see millions killed and change the face of the planet forever, as well as ridding himself of the Man of Steel.
Superhero EpicSci-Fi AdventureIconic CharacterGrand SpectacleEmotional ReturnRomantic DramaClassic VillainHopeful ToneVFX ShowcaseNostalgic Homage

Crew

Directed by:
Bryan Singer, Brian Smrz, Dan Bradley
Written by:
Jerry Siegel, Bryan Singer, Joe Shuster
Produced by:
Bryan Singer, Barbara Harris, Gilbert Adler
Composed by:
Erik Aadahl, Ron Bartlett, Tami Treadwell

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Superman Returns

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Superman Returns legally?

HBO Max

Superman Returns is included with a subscription to HBO Max in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Superman Returns worth watching?

65
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 65/100 (IMDb 6.1, Rotten Tomatoes 72%, and Metacritic 72). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Superman Returns rated?

PG-13Violence

It's rated PG-13 in the United States. Content advisories: violence.

How long is Superman Returns?

2 h 34 min

Superman Returns runs 2 h 34 min.

Is Superman Returns based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a comic.

Do critics and audiences agree on Superman Returns?

Critics72
Audiences59

Not quite. Critics rate Superman Returns higher (72) than audiences (59). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was Superman Returns a box office hit?

Budget$223 million
Box office$391 million

Roughly broke even. It cost about $223 million to make and earned $391 million worldwide, 1.8 times its budget.

What language is Superman Returns in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Superman Returns?

132ADAEAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBEBFBG+118

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Superman Returns in 132 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Superman Returns use?

Big Word ShoutBald of EvilPet the DogRevenge of the SequelGenesis EffectMaster of DelusionHostile TerraformingConverse with the UnconsciousDisappeared DadCurse Cut ShortChocolate BabyTheme Song Power Upand 126 more

TV Tropes lists 138 storytelling tropes for Superman Returns, including Big Word Shout, Bald of Evil, Pet the Dog.