Superman III poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Christopher Reeve, Richard Pryor, Jackie Cooper, Marc McClure, Annette O'Toole ... see more see more... , Annie Ross , Pamela Stephenson , Robert Vaughn , Margot Kidder , Gavan O'Herlihy , Robert Beatty , R.J. Bell , John Bluthal , Ronnie Brody , Terry Camilleri , Justin Case , George Chisholm , Barry Dennen , Sandra Dickinson , Lou Hirsch , Helen Horton , Stefan Kalipha , Larry Lamb , Christopher Malcolm , Al Matthews , Bill Reimbold , Shane Rimmer , Gordon Rollings , Enid Saunders , Gordon Signer , Graham Stark , Pat Starr , Henry Woolf , Philip Gilbert , Robert Henderson , David Winning , Pamela Mandell , Peter Whitman , Bob Todd , Nancy Roberts

In a major departure from the tone of the preceding two Superman adventure films, this mix of vile deeds and fantasy heroics drops the "S" out of cosmic and goes for comic instead. Right at the starti... read more read more...ng gate, Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor) and a subsequent slapstick sequence upstage (Christopher Reeves again), who later develops an identity crisis. Gorman, newly trained as a computer whiz, starts working for a conglomerate run by the corporate nemesis Ross Webster (Robert Vaughn), intent on world domination. Gorman is sent to Superman's small town of Smallville to wipe out Columbia's coffee crop by fiddling with the computer side of a weather satellite. Clark Kent is in town for his class reunion, leading Superman to clash with Gorman, which in turn, leads Gorman to develop a hybrid red Kryptonite. Unwittingly, since Gorman's wits are always in doubt, the Red Kryptonite causes Superman to split into a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde schizophrenia -- but in two separate bodies. As the evil Superman swaggers around town, megalomaniac Ross Webster has other tricks in mind -- and in one of the more memorable action scenes (interspersed with a video game sequence), Superman is chased through the Grand Canyon by a fast-flying, very determined missile. Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole) is on hand for romantic interest (Margot Kidder only appears briefly -- she was growing tired of Lois Lane). ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Flixster Users

39% liked it

148,098 ratings

Critics

24% liked it

41 critics

PG, 2 hr. 5 min.

Directed by: Richard Lester

Release Date: June 17, 1983

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: May 1, 2001

Get It:

Stats: 4,471 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Superman III poster (foreign) Superman Evil Superman is defeated Superman III Gus Gorman Superman III Superman III Superman Evil Superman Superman III Superman III Evil Superman and Lorelei Ambrosia Superman III Superman III Superman III Superman III Annette O'Toole ('Lana Lang' in 'Superman' III, 1983, Superman III
Upload a Photo | View All Superman III Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (4,471)

  • ajv2688
    January 14, 2011
    ajv2688
    Wow, this is a bad movie, I didn't know a superhero movie could be so bad. It's just full of bad jokes, and the story makes no sense, and Richard Pryor is in it for no reason. I don't recommend this movie, if you're watching the series skip this one and see the fourth.
  • ceWEBrity
    December 27, 2010
    ceWEBrity
    This is the worst shit EVER. EVER. EVER. Margot Kidder was the only one here with half a brain for showing up for about a minute of screen time and picking up a paycheck for it.
  • skeletonking101
    September 28, 2010
    skeletonking101
    i think of it as a live action looney tunes cartoon because of its slapstick humor sight gags and funny dialogue at least its better than the abomination known as superman and the quest for peace
  • ythelastman89
    May 27, 2010
    ythelastman89
    This doesn't even deserve a review, but easily the worst superhero movie EVER. I think it's terrible mainly because I didn't see it coming at all. Superman and Superman II were both amazing and then they follow with this. I think it's even worse than Batman Forever following up B... read moreurton's franchise because at least in that you don't have to see Michael Keaton sink down to the lowest of the low. The movie itself is just ridiculous. I think they were sorta trying to do something along the lines of Brainiac but they failed miserably.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 11, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    I use to be a huge Superman Fan, there is tiny bit of Scene make me LOLS. That guy Gus on the Donkey.
  • stormyweather980
    September 10, 2009
    stormyweather980
    I agree with most of the people that "Superman 3" isn't the best of the sequels to the original groundbreaking movie, but I didn't think it was as bad as most of the other reviewers are making out that it is. In this sequel, Superman (Christopher Reeve) is up against some enemies... read more who are trying to make productions of certain things such as Colombia's coffee crop disappear entirely so they can get rich. Among these enemies is a computer genius (Richard Pryor) and a greedy madman (Robert Vaughn). After Superman stops their plans of completely shutting off production of certain things, the maniacs make a plan to destroy Superman.
    Overall, "Superman 3" isn't as good as some of the other Superman movies, especially not the original. It doesn't have the awe or wonder that the original had or a great plot like "Superman 2." However, it does have its good moments such as a showdown between Clark Kent and Superman, and when the enemies are trying to destroy Superman by using a video game that shoots missiles at him and makes Atari 2600 Pac-Man sounds. And it also has decent acting and good special effects. Of course, because Richard Pryor is one of the main stars of the movie, "Superman 3" does have its funny moments such as when he and Superman go for a flight.

    If you wouldn't mind seeing a Superman movie with a touch of comedy to it, then you might like "Superman 3." However, if you expect it to have the excitement, wonder, or great plot of its two predecessors, it will probably leave you disappointed after you watch it. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. Brownie points to this movie for having Atari 2600 sound effects included, and this movie's better than most give it credit for.
  • SirPant
    September 3, 2009
    SirPant
    Come on guys, It was the 80's, films did this kind of thing then. It's a silly film and not as good as the first two but as far as I'm concerned its got Reeve, Pryor and Vaughn in it so it must be great and I love it!
  • TomBowler
    July 31, 2009
    TomBowler
    stupid, stupid idea. kryptonite with tar because, "hey, i smoke it." puhleeze
  • sononothing
    December 27, 2008
    sononothing
    If you ever wanted to see what Richard Lester would have done to Superman II then look no further than the pure garbage that is Superman III. What's worse than the slapstick opening credit sequence that makes the Three Stooges roll over in the graves? The fact that this piece of ... read moreshit is over 2 hours!

    In reality this isn't even a Superman movie. It's a Richard Pryor movie with Christopher Reeve thrown in. It's not even a funny Richard Pryor movie. It's not even Moving! Robert Vaughn enlists Pryor to use a computer to take over a weather satellite and control the weather which is a plot straight out of the old G.I. Joe cartoon. There's a super computer that Superman can't stop, blah, blah, blah.

    What Superman III proves is that the Salkinds have no talent or soul. It's a total piece of trash and I can't imagine them making a Superman film worse than this one...

    (As a post script I just realized that the guy that plays Brad in this film is also the head reverse mohawked gangmember in the classic 1980's flick Death Wish 3. Jesus, can this guy's agent pick 'em or what?)
  • puffchunk
    October 4, 2007
    puffchunk
    Who doesn't want to see a giant 80's computer kill peopl?

View All Superman III Reviews

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
March 26, 2009
Variety Staff, Variety

Putting its emphasis on broad comedy at the expense of ingenious plotting and technical wizardry, it has virtually none of the mythic or cosmic sensibility that marked its predecessors. Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It's a cinematic comic book, shallow, silly, filled with stunts and action, without much human interest. Full Review

Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Anyone who has been following the Superman saga will find this installment enjoyable enough, but some of the magic is missing. Full Review

Charles Cassady
December 15, 2010
Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media

Outdated superhero movie may interest older kids. Full Review

April 17, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Richard Lester's direction injects nothing new into the material, giving the feeling that he views the whole thing as an exercise in comedy set pieces. Full Review

Michael Dequina
January 20, 2007
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

Apparently, Richard Lester's intent was to turn Superman into a joke. A really bad joke. Full Review

Pablo Villaca
July 11, 2006
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena

'Superman contra os avanços da tecnologia'. Uma idéia cuja estupidez só é superada por sua péssima execução.

Peter Canavese
July 4, 2006
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews

Reeve continues his traditions of graceful flying moves, confident carriage, and twinkly warmth. Sadly, none of it is enough to save Superman III from being at home only in a junkyard.

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Enjoyable, nevertheless. Full Review

Mark Bourne
April 5, 2006
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com

Now retooling the Superman series into middleweight comedy, the script feels written for no one above the age of twelve. As a production it looks cheaply made and thrown together. Worse, this is a mea... Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Superman II
    Superman II (89%)
  • Superman Returns
    Superman Returns (70%)
  • Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
    Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (69%)
  • Ultimate Avengers: The Movie
    Ultimate Avengers: The Movie (0%)

More Movies like Superman III

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
    • Clark Kent/Superman: I don't know you lady!
Submit a Fact | View All

Superman III : Watch Free on TV

Superman III Trivia

  • Chritopher Reeve fights a duplicate evil version of himself   Answer »
  • In Superman III Richard Pryor's character Gus Gorman tries to figure out the formula to kryptonite but one of the ingredients comes up 'unknown'.. what ingredient found in cigarettes does he decide to replace it w/?  Answer »
  • In which SUPERMAN film (out of the ones starred by Christopher Reeve) does Clark Kent say this line: "If I had a nickel for every time some little kid..."  Answer »
  • in what superman film dose superman suffer from multiple personality disorder  Answer »
More Superman III Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Superman III Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Superman III to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?