Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
Superman confronts Lex Luthor’s radiation-powered champion while pursuing an earnest, globe-spanning vision of nuclear disarmament.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- earnest
- campy
- optimistic
- nostalgic movie night
- camp movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as the weakest Superman entry, citing dull action, cheap-looking effects, and an uninspired story.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Superman intervenes in the nuclear arms crisis and undertakes global rescue efforts, framing superhuman power as a force for peace.
The plot centers on nuclear missiles, arms merchants, disarmament, and a radiation-powered adversary during the late Cold War era.
Lex Luthor creates Nuclear Man as a purpose-built, radiation-charged opponent for Superman.
Superman performs spectacular rescues involving the Statue of Liberty, Mount Etna, and the Great Wall of China.
Films like Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, and why
Superman III
shares superhero spectacle, Cold War themes, comic-book adventure, and a broadly accessible heroic tone
Superman II
shares classic superhero mythology, earnest moral idealism, and colorful action-adventure spectacle
Batman
shares campy superhero conflict, flamboyant villains, and heightened comic-book action
The Rocketeer
shares nuclear-age science fiction, global stakes, and larger-than-life heroic spectacle
Movie Details
- Director
- Sidney J. Furie
- Release Date
- 1987-07-24
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 4.6 / 10 (1463)
Cast
- Christopher Reeve
- Margot Kidder
- Gene Hackman
- Mariel Hemingway
- Jackie Cooper
- Marc McClure
- Jon Cryer
- Sam Wanamaker
- Mark Pillow
- Damian McLawhorn
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Superman IV: The Quest for Peace about?
- Superman confronts Lex Luthor’s radiation-powered champion while pursuing an earnest, globe-spanning vision of nuclear disarmament.
- What is Superman IV: The Quest for Peace like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Superman IV: The Quest for Peace as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Superman IV: The Quest for Peace violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace as mild.
- What did critics think of Superman IV: The Quest for Peace?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as the weakest Superman entry, citing dull action, cheap-looking effects, and an uninspired story.
- Which films are like Superman IV: The Quest for Peace?
- Films with a similar feel include Superman III, Superman II, Batman, and The Rocketeer.
- How long is Superman IV: The Quest for Peace?
- Superman IV: The Quest for Peace runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch Superman IV: The Quest for Peace?
- In United States, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
