Superman Returns
After years away, Superman returns to a world that has moved on while confronting Lex Luthor's apocalyptic scheme and the unfinished ache of Lois Lane.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- soaring
- wistful
- sincere
- superhero marathon
- nostalgic blockbuster night
What critics said
Critics broadly found Bryan Singer's reverent, visually lavish Superman revival emotionally richer than its predecessors, though somewhat overlong and uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Superman reappears after a five-year absence and must reclaim both his public role and personal place in Lois Lane's life.
Clark returns to find Lois engaged to Richard White and raising a child, making lost intimacy central to the conflict.
Lex Luthor steals alien crystals from Superman's Fortress of Solitude and uses their power in a plan for catastrophic transformation.
Bryan Singer's continuation emphasizes reverence for the established Superman mythology and incorporates the original John Williams theme.
Films like Superman Returns, and why
Superman: The Movie
shared superhero spectacle, alien mythology, romantic longing, and reverent comic-book tone
Spider-Man 2
shared comic-book heroism, grand-scale action, conflicted romance, and a powerful supervillain
Man of Steel
shared science fiction spectacle, heroic self-sacrifice, family peril, and emotionally earnest tone
Batman Begins
shared superhero melodrama, visual extravagance, and the tension between public duty and private identity
Movie Details
- Director
- Bryan Singer
- Release Date
- 2006-06-28
- Runtime
- 154 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (4722)
Cast
- Brandon Routh
- Kate Bosworth
- Kevin Spacey
- James Marsden
- Parker Posey
- Frank Langella
- Sam Huntington
- Eva Marie Saint
- Marlon Brando
- Kal Penn
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 Returns about?
- After years away, Superman returns to a world that has moved on while confronting Lex Luthor's apocalyptic scheme and the unfinished ache of Lois Lane.
- What is Superman Returns like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Superman Returns as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Superman Returns violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Superman Returns as moderate.
- What did critics think of Superman Returns?
- Critics broadly found Bryan Singer's reverent, visually lavish Superman revival emotionally richer than its predecessors, though somewhat overlong and uneven.
- Which films are like Superman Returns?
- Films with a similar feel include Superman: The Movie, Spider-Man 2, Man of Steel, and Batman Begins.
- How long is Superman Returns?
- Superman Returns runs 154 minutes.
- Where can I watch Superman Returns?
- In United States, Superman Returns streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
