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Xanadu

  • 19801980
  • SS
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
14K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,469
802
Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu (1980)
Theatrical Trailer from Universal Pictures
Play trailer1:56
1 Video
99+ Photos
FantasyMusicalRomance

A struggling artist living in Los Angeles meets a girl who may hold the key to his happiness.A struggling artist living in Los Angeles meets a girl who may hold the key to his happiness.A struggling artist living in Los Angeles meets a girl who may hold the key to his happiness.

IMDb RATING
5.3/10
14K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,469
802
  • Director
    • Robert Greenwald
  • Writers
    • Richard Christian Danus
    • Marc Reid Rubel
  • Stars
    • Olivia Newton-John
    • Gene Kelly
    • Michael Beck
Top credits
  • Director
    • Robert Greenwald
  • Writers
    • Richard Christian Danus
    • Marc Reid Rubel
  • Stars
    • Olivia Newton-John
    • Gene Kelly
    • Michael Beck
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 354User reviews
    • 61Critic reviews
    • 31Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 10 nominations

    Videos1

    Xanadu
    Trailer 1:56
    Xanadu

    Photos306

    Gene Kelly and Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu (1980)
    Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu (1980)
    Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu (1980)
    Olivia Newton-John at an event for Xanadu (1980)
    Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu (1980)
    Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu (1980)
    Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu (1980)
    Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu (1980)
    Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu (1980)
    Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu (1980)
    Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu (1980)
    Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu (1980)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Olivia Newton-John
    Olivia Newton-John
    • Kira
    Gene Kelly
    Gene Kelly
    • Danny McGuire
    Michael Beck
    Michael Beck
    • Sonny Malone
    James Sloyan
    James Sloyan
    • Simpson
    Dimitra Arliss
    Dimitra Arliss
    • Helen
    Katie Hanley
    • Sandra
    Fred McCarren
    Fred McCarren
    • Richie
    Renn Woods
    Renn Woods
    • Jo
    • (as Ren Woods)
    Sandahl Bergman
    Sandahl Bergman
    • Muse #1
    Lynne Latham
    • Muse #2
    • (as Lynn Latham)
    Melinda Phelps
    • Muse #3
    Cherise Bates
    • Muse #4
    • (as Cherise Bate)
    Juliette Marshall
    • Muse #5
    Marilyn Tokuda
    • Muse #6
    Yvette Van Voorhees
    • Muse #7
    Teri Beckerman
    • Muse #8
    Marty Davis
    • Male Guard
    Bebe Drake
    Bebe Drake
    • Female Guard
    • (as Bebe Drake-Massey)
    • Director
      • Robert Greenwald
    • Writers
      • Richard Christian Danus
      • Marc Reid Rubel
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After Kira tells Sonny she is one of the Greek muses, she starts to say, "My real name is Terp" but Sonny shushes her and she never reveals her real name. She is there to help him open a dance club, and she is obviously a dancer, so her name is most likely Terpsichore, after the Greek muse of dance--although in the stage adaption of the film she was Clio, muse of history.
    • Goofs
      When Sonny first sees the auditorium that eventually becomes Xanadu, the letters on the roof of the building that spell out auditorium are missing the A and R. Later when Kira takes him to the auditorium, the T is missing. In the following scene, when Sonny and Danny arrive at the auditorium, the T is back. Finally, when Sonny and Kira are slow dancing in front of the auditorium before it transforms into the finished Xanadu exterior, the T is missing again.
    • Quotes

      Danny McGuire: Hey, do you like Glenn Miller?

      Sonny: Do you like rock 'n' roll?

      Danny McGuire: I love rock 'n' roll.

      Sonny: I love Glenn Miller.

    • Crazy credits
      Opens with the 1930s-era Universal logo, with an airplane circling a globe; then it becomes a 50s-era passenger plane, then the Concorde, then the fourth time around as it becomes a spaceship. Instrumentals of "Whenever You're Away From Me" and "Xanadu" play under this, with musical styles matching the period of each aircraft.
    • Alternate versions
      The original theatrical release uses the 1963 Universal logo at the end and then shows the PG rating slide. The 1994 VHS release (while retaining the Universal logo at the end), strangely replaces the PG rating slide with a GP rating slide (the original name for the PG rating from 1969 to 1972). The 1999 DVD restores the proper PG rating slide, however the 1963 Universal logo is removed. The 2008 DVD restores both the 1963 Universal logo and the original PG rating slide, making it a more accurate representation of the original theatrical release.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Midnight Special: Episode #8.33 (1980)
    • Soundtracks
      I'm Alive
      Performed by Electric Light Orchestra

      Words and Music by Jeff Lynne

    User reviews354

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    Magic for the taking
    I was 12 when I saw this movie and loved it. I would dream of being a magically glowing roller skating being from another realm for a couple years after the movie. And that's the point of this comment. There is magic there for the taking if you're looking for some. But if you'd rather sit there with your pencil and steno pad, notating every intellectual criticism you can brainstorm; I'm sure you can come up with a lot.

    You get to see Olivia skate and sing with Gene Kelly. There are some great songs by legendary pop band Electric Light Orchestra. There is some great music and a fun parallel universe available any time you want to put your pencil down.
    helpful•17
    3
    • Traveler_12
    • Dec 22, 2005

    FAQ1

    • Is there a connection between this film and the song by Rush? If so, why was the Rush song not used in this movie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 17, 1980 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Xanadú
    • Filming locations
      • Pan-Pacific Auditorium - 7600 W. Beverly Boulevard, Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $22,762,571
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,471,595
      • Aug 10, 1980
    • Gross worldwide
      • $22,762,571
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 36 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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