Xanadu
A campy roller-disco fantasy in which a Greek muse inspires a frustrated artist and an aging musician to chase their dreams in Los Angeles.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- campy
- whimsical
- romantic
- nostalgic movie night
- cult film screening
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a confused, weakly staged musical fantasy whose strongest asset is its music and the high spirits of Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Greek-muse premise, disco styling, rollerskating choreography, and openly artificial performances create a knowingly heightened musical fantasy.
Kira is awakened by Sonny's artistic frustration and sent to help him and Danny pursue their unrealized dreams.
Kira functions as a Greek muse while the story unfolds in contemporary Los Angeles and the music industry.
Rollerskating is central to Kira's entrance, the film's movement language, and its climactic musical staging.
Films like Xanadu, and why
The Wiz
fantastical musical romance with heightened camp, pop spectacle, and a dreamlike production style
Stardust
romantic fantasy built around music, theatricality, and an otherworldly female figure entering ordinary life
Can't Stop the Music
retro musical romance combining pop performance, colorful spectacle, and earnest escapism
Movie Details
- Director
- Robert Greenwald
- Release Date
- 1980-08-08
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (296)
Cast
- Olivia Newton-John
- Gene Kelly
- Michael Beck
- James Sloyan
- Katie Hanley
- Fred McCarren
- Ren Woods
- Dimitra Arliss
- Sandahl Bergman
- Lynn Latham
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- 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 Xanadu about?
- A campy roller-disco fantasy in which a Greek muse inspires a frustrated artist and an aging musician to chase their dreams in Los Angeles.
- What is Xanadu like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Xanadu as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Xanadu violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Xanadu.
- What did critics think of Xanadu?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a confused, weakly staged musical fantasy whose strongest asset is its music and the high spirits of Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly.
- Which films are like Xanadu?
- Films with a similar feel include The Wiz, Stardust, and Can't Stop the Music.
- How long is Xanadu?
- Xanadu runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Xanadu?
- In United States, Xanadu is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
