Superman (1978)
Richard Donner's landmark superhero epic that made the world believe a man could truly fly.
Superman - Movie Information
- Original Title: Superman
- Release Year: 1978
- Directed by: Richard Donner
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 2h 24m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 14, 1978 (Switzerland - 12), December 15, 1978 (United States - PG), December 15, 1978 (Canada), December 14, 1978 (United Kingdom - PG), January 25, 1979 (Germany - 12), January 25, 1979 (France - TP), December 25, 1978 (India), December 21, 1978 (Australia - PG), April 2, 1979 (Brazil - L), July 12, 1979 (Mexico), February 9, 1979 (Italy - T), February 8, 1979 (Spain - A), March 31, 1979 (South Korea - ALL)
- Alternative Titles: Superman - Special Edition (FR), Superman: The Movie (US), Super-Homem: O Filme (BR), Superman: První část (CZ), Superman: La Película (MX), စူပါမန်း (MM), Superman - Der Film (DE)
- Production Companies: Dovemead Films, Alexander and Ilya Salkind Productions, International Film Production
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
Superman - Plot
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.
Superman - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see why audiences believed a man could fly:
You'll believe a man can fly.
Where to Watch Superman
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Superman - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Richard Donner
Main Cast
- Christopher Reeve
- Margot Kidder
- Gene Hackman
- Marlon Brando
- Ned Beatty
- Jackie Cooper
- Glenn Ford
- Trevor Howard
- Jack O'Halloran
- Valerie Perrine
Writers
- Robert Benton
- Mario Puzo
- David Newman
- Leslie Newman
- Tom Mankiewicz
Producers
- Pierre Spengler
Superman - FAQs
What is Superman (1978) about?
Superman (1978) follows mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent, who secretly is the last son of the doomed planet Krypton. When the criminal mastermind Lex Luthor hatches a scheme to trigger a catastrophic earthquake along the California coast, Clark must embrace his destiny as Superman to save millions of lives.
Why is Christopher Reeve's Superman performance so iconic?
Christopher Reeve pulled off something genuinely difficult: making both Clark Kent and Superman feel like completely different people using only body language, posture, and voice. His warmth and sincerity gave the character real emotional weight, and audiences believed every second of it — which is exactly what the film needed.
Where can you stream Superman (1978) right now?
You can watch Superman (1978) on HBO Max as part of a subscription. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Spectrum On Demand and Plex also offer rental options.
Is Superman (1978) based on a true story or comic book?
Superman is based on the iconic DC Comics character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938. The screenplay was written by Mario Puzo, Robert Benton, David Newman, Leslie Newman, and Tom Mankiewicz, drawing from decades of Superman mythology.
Who are the main actors in Superman (1978)?
The film stars Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, and Gene Hackman as the villainous Lex Luthor. Marlon Brando appears as Superman's Kryptonian father Jor-El, with supporting roles from Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper, Glenn Ford, and Valerie Perrine.
Did Superman (1978) win any major awards?
Superman received an Academy Award for Special Achievement in Visual Effects, recognizing the groundbreaking work that made audiences truly believe a man could fly. John Williams' soaring score was also nominated for an Oscar. The film was a critical and commercial triumph, earning over $300 million worldwide.
How was Superman (1978) received by critics?
Critics embraced Superman warmly upon release, praising its sense of wonder, Reeve's charismatic lead performance, and John Williams' magnificent score. It holds a strong reputation as the film that legitimized the superhero genre on the big screen, proving that comic book adaptations could be both spectacular and emotionally resonant.
Where was Superman (1978) filmed?
Principal photography took place primarily at Pinewood Studios in England, with location shooting in New York City for the Metropolis street scenes. The Fortress of Solitude sequences were filmed in Glacier National Park in Canada, while various other locations across the United States and Canada stood in for Smallville and beyond.
More About Superman
Explore further details about Superman on these authoritative resources.