Superman
Family FavoritePG

Superman

You'll believe a man can fly.

1978 • 144 min • Science Fiction · Action · Adventure

Synopsis

Mild-mannered Clark Kent works as a reporter at the Daily Planet alongside his crush, Lois Lane. Clark must summon his superhero alter-ego when the nefarious Lex Luthor launches a plan to take over the world.

Our family guide

Best from age 7
90
Movie Knight Score
4362 reviews
  • 100 Reviewers · 5 · 65%
  • 72 Audience · 4357 · 35%

Mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent hides his secret identity as Superman. When the villainous Lex Luthor plans to unleash chaos, Superman must use his powers to protect Earth, save Lois Lane, and prevent global catastrophe.

Violence & peril
3/10
Language
1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking
0/10
Romance & sensuality
1/10
Scary moments
3/10

Heads up

  • Some peril and destruction
  • Brief suggestive moments
  • Consequences of natural disasters

What it models well

  • Courage and self-sacrifice
  • Using power responsibly
  • Protecting the innocent

Talk about it after

  • What makes a hero?
  • The importance of honesty
  • Consequences of greed

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Superman. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

Where to watch

Stream

  • HBO Max Amazon Channel
  • YouTube TV
  • HBO Max

Links go straight to each service. Some are affiliate links that support Movie Knight at no cost to you. Availability data by JustWatch via TMDB.

Top billed cast

Director: Richard Donner • Crew: Robert Benton, Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, Mario Puzo, Tom Mankiewicz

Trailers & clips

catching a helicopter AND a baddie

Superman Takes Lois Lane for a Flight

Superman Turns Back Time to Save Lois Lane | Superman (1978) | TCM

Faster Than A Speeding Bullet

Superman Confronts Lex Luthor

DC Super Scenes: Catching Criminals in Metropolis

DC Super Scenes: The Daily Planet Investigates Superman

DC Super Scenes: The Daily Planet Bullpen

Reviewer notes

Recommended

<em>'Superman'</em> is imperfect, though has an undeniable charm to it and a straightforwardness that I actually appreciated whilst watching. It's a film that feels broken in pieces and then glued back together, like each stage of the movie almost feels unconnected to the other.…

Recommended

John Williams' epic overture is used to good effect to help illustrate the pretty stellar cast (Christoph Reeve gets only third billing) as this story opens with us on the icebound planet of "Krypton" where "Jor-El" (Marlon Brando) is encouraging his high council members to pass sentence on the treacherous "Gen. Zod" (Terence Stamp) and his co-conspirators.…

Recommended

This movie will stand to the End of Time. This film is an absolute Masterpiece. The Writers & Director knew what they were doing. Christopher Reeve is a Powerhouse. He portrayed this Character So Well! He played Clark Kent & Superman as 2 Different Characters while being the Same Person. Margot Kidder was Fantastic as Lois Lane. Gene Hackman and Valerie Perrine were Great as Lex Luthor & Eve Teschmacher.…

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers

_**"Miss Teschmacher!"**_ I didn't catch "Superman" (1978) until over 25 years after its release. It's a great superhero flick with a lot of wit, well worthy of its reputation. Although a couple of things are understandably dated, like the flying sequences and Clark Kent's glasses (which are so BAD they're laughable), the movie definitely stands the test of time despite being shot in 1977.…

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers

Man of Steel - Film Full of Love The planet Krypton is doomed, all life there is soon to be over. Jor-El, knowing that the planet Earth has the same atmosphere, rockets his baby son there post haste.…

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