6.8/10
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Superman II (1980)

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Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.

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, (uncredited)

Writers:

(character created by: Superman), (character created by: Superman) | 4 more credits »
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4,122 ( 103)
3 wins & 6 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Leueen
Robin Pappas ...
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Storyline

Picking up where "Superman: The Movie" left off, three criminals, General Zod (Terence Stamp), Ursa, (Sarah Douglas), and Non (Jack O'Halloran) from the planet Krypton are released from the Phantom Zone by a nuclear explosion in space. They descend upon Earth where they could finally rule. Superman, meanwhile, is in love with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), who finds out who he really is. Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) escapes from prison and is determined to destroy Superman by joining forces with the three criminals. Written by Keith Howley <lald@ptdprolog.net>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

The Man of Steel meets his match! See more »


Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

| |

Release Date:

19 June 1981 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Superman II  »

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Box Office

Budget:

$54,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,100,523, 21 June 1981

Gross USA:

$108,185,706
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Show more on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (Richard Donner Cut)

Sound Mix:

(MegaSound encoding) (70 mm prints)| (35 mm prints)

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

There are two very controversial scenes in this movie. Fanboys, film geeks and critics have all been complaining about these two scenes for years. The first being the infamous Superman Insomnia Inducing Kiss. Fans complained this was a Duex Ex Machina type ending and was cheating, because this Superman skill was never actually mentioned in the comics. (It actually was once or twice but it was very obscure). The other very controversial scene is the one where Superman removes a strange plastic-y film type substance from his "S" insignia which magically grows as he throws it at Zod, covering him and then subduing him for a second, before vanishing altogether. Fans and critics complained this scene was random and not introduced in the comics, and also pointless since it didn't really do anything meaningful to Zod. This scene was even parodied in a Family Guy episode, it was so controversial. See more »

Goofs

Superman and Lois change clothes at the Fortress of Solitude, despite the fact that they brought no luggage. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Krypton guard: Alert, alert, alert.
See more »

Crazy Credits

Opening credits incorporate an extensive amount of footage from the first Superman movie. See more »

Connections

Version of Superman/Doomsday (2007) See more »

Soundtracks

Mother's Advice
(uncredited)
Composed and Conducted by Ken Thorne
Original Material Composed by John Williams
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

 
The best sequel of all time my personal favorite a bit underrated
7 October 2016 | by See all my reviews

Superman II (1980) is so underrated by fans and critics of Richard Donner's cut who are the same people rooting for Zack Snyder's Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice! Part II is another classic and excellent sequel from the 80's and the film from my childhood, not as good as the first original film, but still good. I am always going to cherish this movie. It is my personal Superman favorite sequel movie since my childhood. Christopher Reeve is the only Superman for me.

I am defending this film from haters and people who put's down iconic superhero sequel who saves people. For some reason I didn't think it was as good as I remember and for my honest opinion it is still better than Richard Donner's cut or Zack Snyder movies! I grew up watching this film, I was 6 years old when I saw Richard Lester's version on TV but I only saw half of the film. Superman III was the first film I saw on VHS as a child, this was the third film I saw. I love this film to death I love this film the same as I love Superman I and III and it is my favorite sequel.

Christopher Reeve is and always will be the only SUPERMAN! No one could play Clark Kent/Superman like Christopher Reeve, the film is still instantiate classic till it's day. If anyone could be Superman. It is Christopher Reeve, he fits the part perfectly as the shy yet great reporter Clark Kent, Kal-El last son of Krypton, and Superman, Earths savior from the forces of evil. Superman is a world known icon and is permanently set in stone as the best Superhero of all time. Though, the only Superman movies I enjoyed are the first three Superman movies that had Christopher Reeve in it!

I hate the new Superman: Henry Cavill, he is not a Superman as I remember when I was a kid! We have now a Superman who kills people, who let's people die and he only thinks on him self, his mother Martha and Lois! I hate Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, Superman Returns, Man of Steel, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice!

Superman saves a lot of people in this film, a kid who falls of Niagra fall's, a young mommy and her baby, turn's off the fire from a oil truck caused by Zod. I love Superman Christopher Reeve in this film and I was always fan of this film!

John Williams theme is still a classic song to Superman my favorite iconic character!

Things I don't like: The film has a few problems that are really unnecessary and I really hate it:

Eve Teschmacher (Valerie Perrine) disappears from the storyline after she and Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) leave Superman's Fortress Of Solitude, and her absence from the rest of the movie is never explained.

Ned Beatty as Otis also disappears from the storyline, why putting these two characters in this movie when they both had a cameo scene without explanation in it, is beyond me, even it was from Richard Donner cut, they could have removed it anyway.

Clark Kent revels his powers to Lois (Margot Kidder) that he is Superman and he sacrifice his powers for Lois that I stupid idea!

After 1 hour Clark find's out that General Zod (Terence Stamp) and his goons conquering Earth behind his back and Superman wasn't there to stop theme, I don't like this thing in this film at all.

I don't like Ursa killing astronaut and kicking him in the groan.

I hate Sarah Douglas, Margot Kidder and Jack O'Halloran for dissing Christopher Reeve! The only two actors I have respect beside Christopher Reeve is: Gene Hackman and Terence Stamp who was even in Smallville as the voice of Jor-El, Clark's biological father.

Terence Stamp was perfect choice for playing General Zod he was brilliant and excellent as the main villain - respect to this actor!

Overall: I don't like Richard Donner's Cut: the scene where Lois jumped into the Niagra Falls and Clark had to save her without revealing his identity... that was not in the film. It is a shame because I love that scene. Instead, Lois shoots Clark to prove he is Superman. There are also a few more scenes cut out and replaced with other scenes. It is very interesting to see a different version of the film. But I have great memories of watching this film when I was a kid so I prefer the original version.

R.I.P. - Christopher Reeve (1952 - 2004) the only Clark Kent/Superman who we always be my favorite superhero of all time!

This movie for my opinion is 10/10 I don't care what anyone says about this movie or Richard Donner's cut that it is better in my opinion I enjoy this movie much way better.


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