Superman III

If the world's most powerful computer can control even Superman...no one on earth is safe.

1983 • 125 min • Comedy · Science Fiction · Action · Adventure

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Synopsis

Aiming to defeat the Man of Steel, wealthy executive Ross Webster hires bumbling but brilliant Gus Gorman to develop synthetic kryptonite, which yields some unexpected psychological effects. Between rekindling romance with his high school sweetheart and saving himself, Superman must contend with a powerful supercomputer.

Our family guide

Best from age 8

Movie Knight Score

1925 reviews

75 Reviewers · 4 · 60%
55 Audience · 1921 · 40%

Superman battles a corrupt executive and a powerful supercomputer, while also grappling with an identity crisis and the temporary loss of his powers. He must overcome these challenges to save the world and rediscover his true heroic spirit.

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

Heads up

Some comedic pratfalls and action sequences
Brief scenes of alcohol use and smoking
A powerful computer that could be unsettling

What it models well

Good vs. Evil
Self-Discovery
Redemption
Heroism

Talk about it after

What makes a true hero?
The dangers of unchecked ambition
How technology can be misused
Dealing with personal challenges

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

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Top billed cast

Director: Richard Lester • Crew: Leslie Newman, David Newman

Trailers & clips

Reviewer notes

Not recommended
<em>'Superman III'</em> is just rubbish, isn't it? I wasn't hating what I was watching or anything, but I was just sat there continuously thinking: this is just bad, huh. Much of the movie feels like the titular character is sidelined, then even when he is onscreen he's... depressed? Odd choice. Christopher Reeve remains good, no issues there.…
r96sk, TMDB Community

Recommended
_**More than it first appears**_ "Superman III" (1983) gets a lot of flack because of the inclusion of slapstick, a parody tone and Richard Pryor, but it is entertaining once you get used to the tone and the presence of Pryor. Christopher Reeve as Superman is good, of course, but you also have Robert Vaughn as the Luthor-like villain and Pamela Stephenson as his attractive female assistant a la Miss Teschmacher.…
Wuchak, TMDB Community

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
Never underestimate the power of computers. After being caught for a money making computer scam, Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor - wonderful) is recruited by unscrupulous multimillionaire Ross Webster (Robert Vaughn). With Gorman's computer expertise, Webster plans to take complete economic control. But first there is the considerable issue of eradicating Superman first...…
John Chard, TMDB Community

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
**Great sequel!** A funny, exciting Superman movie that includes the greatest scene in the franchise - the junkyard fight between Evil Supes and his nerdy counterpart, Clark Kent. Richard Pryor is hilarious as the hapless Gus Gorman - the computer programming genius with a heart. Robert Vaughn makes for a great villain and the special effects are top notch.…
Charles Dance, TMDB Community