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IMDbPro

Superman Returns

  • 20062006
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 34m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
285K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,388
53
Brandon Routh in Superman Returns (2006)
After a long visit to the lost remains of the planet Krypton, the Man of Steel returns to Earth to become the people's savior once again and reclaim the love of Lois Lane.
Play trailer2:35
9 Videos
99+ Photos
ActionAdventureSci-Fi
Superman returns to Earth after spending five years in space examining his homeworld Krypton. But he finds things have changed while he was gone, and he must once again prove himself importa... Read allSuperman returns to Earth after spending five years in space examining his homeworld Krypton. But he finds things have changed while he was gone, and he must once again prove himself important to the world.Superman returns to Earth after spending five years in space examining his homeworld Krypton. But he finds things have changed while he was gone, and he must once again prove himself important to the world.
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
285K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,388
53
    • Bryan Singer
  • Writers
    • Michael Dougherty(screenplay)
    • Dan Harris(screenplay)
    • Bryan Singer(story)
  • Stars
    • Brandon Routh
    • Kevin Spacey
    • Kate Bosworth
    • Bryan Singer
  • Writers
    • Michael Dougherty(screenplay)
    • Dan Harris(screenplay)
    • Bryan Singer(story)
  • Stars
    • Brandon Routh
    • Kevin Spacey
    • Kate Bosworth
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 2.4KUser reviews
    • 353Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar

    Videos9

    U.S. Version
    Trailer 2:35
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    Superman Returns
    Trailer 1:59
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    Superman Returns
    Trailer 2:15
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    We Are Superman
    Clip 0:59
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    Superman Returns
    Clip 0:55
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    Superman Returns
    Clip 0:41
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    Superman Returns
    Clip 0:51
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    Superman Returns
    Clip 0:57
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    Venom: Sequel, Reboot or Spin-Off?
    Video 3:14
    Watch Venom: Sequel, Reboot or Spin-Off?

    Photos365

    Brandon Routh in Superman Returns (2006)
    Brandon Routh in Superman Returns (2006)
    Kate Bosworth and Brandon Routh in Superman Returns (2006)
    Stephan Bender in Superman Returns (2006)
    Brandon Routh in Superman Returns (2006)
    Brandon Routh in Superman Returns (2006)
    Kevin Spacey in Superman Returns (2006)
    Brandon Routh in Superman Returns (2006)
    Parker Posey and Kevin Spacey in Superman Returns (2006)
    Parker Posey, Kevin Spacey, David Fabrizio, Kal Penn, Ian Roberts, and Vincent Stone in Superman Returns (2006)
    Brandon Routh in Superman Returns (2006)
    Frank Langella, Kate Bosworth, and Sam Huntington in Superman Returns (2006)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Brandon Routh
    Brandon Routh
    • Clark Kent…
    Kevin Spacey
    Kevin Spacey
    • Lex Luthor
    Kate Bosworth
    Kate Bosworth
    • Lois Lane
    James Marsden
    James Marsden
    • Richard White
    Parker Posey
    Parker Posey
    • Kitty Kowalski
    Frank Langella
    Frank Langella
    • Perry White
    Sam Huntington
    Sam Huntington
    • Jimmy Olsen
    Eva Marie Saint
    Eva Marie Saint
    • Martha Kent
    Marlon Brando
    Marlon Brando
    • Jor-El
    • (archive footage)
    Kal Penn
    Kal Penn
    • Stanford
    Tristan Lake Leabu
    Tristan Lake Leabu
    • Jason White
    David Fabrizio
    David Fabrizio
    • Brutus
    Ian Roberts
    Ian Roberts
    • Riley
    Vincent Stone
    • Grant
    Jack Larson
    Jack Larson
    • Bo the Bartender
    Noel Neill
    Noel Neill
    • Gertrude Vanderworth
    James Karen
    James Karen
    • Ben Hubbard
    • (scenes deleted)
    Stephan Bender
    Stephan Bender
    • 15-Year-Old Clark
      • Bryan Singer
    • Writers
      • Michael Dougherty(screenplay) (story)
      • Dan Harris(screenplay) (story)
      • Bryan Singer(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The last line of Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) is Superman saying to Luthor, "See you in twenty." That scene was filmed in 1986. Coincidentally, twenty years later, this film was released.
    • Goofs
      Lois Lane would not yet be eligible for a Pulitzer prize. They are awarded each year for outstanding achievements in the previous calendar year. "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman" was published February 14, 2006. The movie takes place in September 2006 (evidenced by the date of the mock "Superman Is Dead" edition).
    • Quotes

      Superman: [Quoting Marlon Brando/Jor-el from 1978's SUPERMAN:THE MOVIE to Jason asleep in his bed] You will be different, sometimes you'll feel like an outcast, but you'll never be alone. You will make my strength your own. You will see my life through your eyes, as your life will be seen through mine. The son becomes the father and the father becomes the son.

    • Crazy credits
      The opening credits are seen in a trip through space, from Krypton to Earth, in a manner reminiscent of the Superman (1978) opening credits sequence.
    • Alternate versions
      In the IMAX presentation, four scenes (totalling about 20 minutes) were converted from 2D to 3D: The flashback to Clark Kent's youth on the farm, the Shuttle/777 rescue, the rescue of the sinking ocean liner, and the final flyover before the credits. Bryan Singer developed a cue featuring an icon of Clark's glasses flashing in green at the bottom of the screen when it is time to put them on, and then with a red circle/slash over when it is time to take them off.
    • Connections
      Edited from Superman (1978)
    • Soundtracks
      Quando, Quando, Quando
      Written by Pat Boone (as Charles E. Boone), Tony Renis and Alberto Testa

      Performed by The Drifters

      Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.

      By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

    User reviews2.4K

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Underrated Film That Sticks To The Formila
    Superman Returns is an underrated film. Made 19 years after the box office bomb that is Superman IV: The Quest For Peace, the film sees Superman return to Earth after being gone for five years due to hearing about a discovery of Krypton's remains. Because of this, Lex Luthor is released from prison due to him not appearing in court to testify against him, and Lois Lane has a kid. The man of steel returns to protecting Metropolis and tries to adjust to how the world changed, as Lex manages to break into Fortress of Solitude and steal Kryptonian crystals for use in a new sinister plan.

    The film's story erases the third and fourth film from continuity, being set five years after Superman II. As most of the cast from the original two films are either old or passed away, most of the roles have been recast. Clark Kent/Superman is now played by Brandon Routh, who replaces the late Christopher Reeves (whom passed away before this film) and Kevin Spacey takes over the role of Lex Luthor from Gene Hackman. Kate Bosworth replaces Margot Kidder as Lois Lane. The film also utilizes archived footage of Marlon Brando as Kal-El (as the actor died two years before the film's release).

    The film I actually enjoyed. Special effects have evolved in the 19 years between this and Superman IV, leading to the movie having some believable scenes (like Superman saving a Boeing 777 that had a space shuttle piggybacking, and a scene where a bullet is crushed making impact with one of his eyes, demonstrating his invulnerability). The script also has some nods to stuff said and done in the first two films (as a homage), and while the film is more serious, it does have its fair share of ridiculous scenes (Lex Luthor is as wacky as ever, especially with the scene where he says wrong, which became a meme, and another has Jason, Lois' son, playing the piano with one of Lex's henchmen). Despite it doing well with critics and making almost $400 million, it did not do good enough for Warner Bros., who cancelled a sequel in favor of a reboot, resulting in Man of Steel. This is an underrated superhero film that is a good homage.
    helpful•30
    6
    • jeremycrimsonfox
    • Oct 6, 2020

    FAQ13

    • After the bank robber shoots Superman in the eye, and Superman gives a grin; why does the scene cut away?
    • Which characters were adapted from the Superman comic books?
    • Is "Superman Returns" based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 30, 2006 (United States)
      • United States
      • Australia
    • Official sites
      • Facebook
      • Warner Bros. (Laos)
      • English
      • German
      • French
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Legendary Entertainment
      • Peters Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 2 hours 34 minutes
      • Color
      • DTS
      • SDDS
      • Dolby Digital

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