Parents' Guide to

Superman: The Movie

By Ed Grant, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Super-nostalgic superhero adventure still soars.

Movie PG 1978 144 minutes
Superman: The Movie Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • Superman: The Movie: Scene #1
  • Superman: The Movie: Scene #2
  • Superman: The Movie: Scene #3

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age 8+

Based on 22 parent reviews

Nobobby
Nobobby Adult
September 6, 2020
age 8+

Young me loved it, today’s me was shocked

Of course I saw this as a kid and loved it and I figured it would be fine for my 7 yr old son. It is, kind of, but there was one scene that mortified me (and I’m sure it went over my head as a kid). There’s a scene where Lex Luthors buxom girlfriend fakes unconsciousness in the road to stop a military convoy. Played for laughs, it’s alluded to, strongly, that the Sargent commands his men to form a circle around her with their backs turned so he can violate her. I was shocked. This was considered humorous in 1978 apparently. I am sure my son didn’t understand the innuendo and the campiness of the acting made it fairly obvious this was for laughs, but I was not laughing. I was horrified. Not enough for me to say “don’t watch the movie“ but if any kid does ask what was going on in that scene it could be helpful to be prepared.
AllAges
AllAges Parent of 8-year-old
August 14, 2020
age 6+

Best Superman movie; Theatrical cut is more family-friendly.

There are two cuts: the theatrical (rated G), and the director’s (rated PG). The director’s cut has language, while I don’t recall any in the theatrical (which is also shorter). This is a wonderful film.
See all 22 parent reviews

What's the Story?

At the start of SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE, the planet Krypton is about to explode, administrator Jor-El (Marlon Brando) ensures his son's safety by putting him in a spaceship intended for Earth. The Kents, a farm couple, discover the boy from space and raise him as their son, Clark. Upon adulthood, Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve) sets out for Metropolis, where he lands a job as a reporter on The Daily Planet. He also fights crime as Superman, a name given him by reporter Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), a coworker on the Planet whom Clark secretly loves. Meanwhile, criminal mastermind Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) develops a plan to cause a deadly earthquake in California, thereby increasing the value of his desert property. When Lois becomes a victim of the earthquake, Superman must literally turn back time by flying around the Earth with enough speed to temporarily reverse its orbit.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (22 ):
Kids say (54 ):

Christopher Reeve proves an ideal Superman, with just the right level of steadfast simplicity. But the producers' emphasis on larger-than-life moviemaking (they won a Special Achievement Oscar for visual effects) results in a movie that drags in parts. The quartet of writers -- who individually had dreamt up the stories of The Godfather and Bonnie and Clyde -- concocted an overlong spectacle that spends an inordinate amount of time recounting Superman's origin, then fragments into episodic crime-fighting vignettes.

Younger viewers may not have the patience to wait through the first third of Superman: The Movie before getting a glimpse of Superman's famous costume, and the picture is more than half over before he begins fighting crime in Metropolis. Thus, the movie will appeal primarily to adults looking to relive their youth by watching a 1970s-style blockbuster.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about their favorite superhero movies and whether Superman: The Movie makes the list. What makes a good superhero movie? What makes Lex Luthor one of the best villains?

  • Families can also talk about different versions of the Superman story. And why do you think in the last century he fought for the "American way" and in this one he becomes more globally minded?

  • How do the characters in Superman: The Movie demonstrate integrity, perseverance, and courage? Why are those important character strengths?

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