Superman Returns (2006): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Superman Returns is a 2006 action adventure film directed by Bryan Singer, starring Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth and Kevin Spacey. It runs 2 hours 34 minutes and earned $391.1 million worldwide on a $270 million budget. It won 1 award from 7 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Stream it on HBO Max, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 34m (154 min)
- Director
- Bryan Singer
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- Budget
- $270M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Superman Returns About?
The premise of Superman Returns without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After a five-year absence, the Man of Steel returns to a world that has moved on. Facing a changed landscape and a society that no longer fully embraces him, Superman must confront Lex Luthor, who is devising a plan to permanently eliminate him. He also attempts to reconnect with Lois Lane, who has forged a new life, and rediscover his place and purpose in a world that has learned to thrive without him.
Superman Returns Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- clark kent character
- lex luthor character
- superman character
- caped superhero
- alien superhero
- superhero
- reference to prometheus
- based on comic
- based on comic book
- mountain dew
- kryptonian
- male kryptonian
+38 more Show fewer
- lifting a female into the air
- man wears eyeglasses
- murder
- jimmy olsen character
- lois lane character
- martha kent character
- perry white character
- psychotronic film
- jet aeroplane
- aircraft
- bad guys play pool
- baseball
- airplane
- honda
- volvo car
- ford crown victoria
- ford falcon
- gender in title
- male extraterrestrial
- extraterrestrial superhero
- slow motion scene
- underwater scene
- male protagonist
- comicbook movie
- co written by director
- famous score
- supernatural power
- troubled production
- fifth part
- die hard scenario
- writer director producer
- explosion
- playing piano
- city
- urban setting
- classical music
- orchestral music score
- trapped underwater
Where to Watch Superman Returns
Stream it on HBO Max, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 2
HBO Max 
HBO Max Amazon Channel 
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
Superman Returns Cast
Brandon Routh leads the cast, with Kate Bosworth and Kevin Spacey. Directed by Bryan Singer.
-
Director Bryan Singer
Superman Returns Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Superman Returns 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.
-
IMDb 6.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 72 Metascore
User score 5.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 58% User score
See on TMDB
Superman Returns Plot Summary
What happens in Superman Returns from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
For five years, Superman (Brandon Routh) has been absent from Earth, lured into the depths of space by the hope that the lost planet Krypton may still exist. In his absence, much has changed on Earth; terrorism has surged, and Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) has settled into a new life with Perry White’s nephew, starting a family and earning a Pulitzer Prize for her article, “Why the World Doesn’t Need Superman.” Meanwhile, the cunning Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) has deceived a wealthy widow, Gertrude Vanderworth (Noel Neill), out of her fortune, assuming he has turned over a new leaf after his prison stint.
Full summary
The whole story of Superman Returns, scene by scene
Superman Returns Box Office & Budget
Superman Returns grossed $391.1 million worldwide on a $270 million budget, 1.4 times what it cost. $200.1 million came from the US and Canada and $191 million (49%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$391.1M
1.4× its budget
- US & Canada
- $200.1M
- International
- $191M
- Budget
- $270M
Superman Returns Awards & Nominations
Superman Returns won 1 award from 7 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Its biggest night was the Saturn Awards 2007, with 1 win from 5 nominations.
1 win7 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Saturn Awards 2007 1 win · 5 nominations- Won Best Director – Bryan Singer
- Nominated Best Actress
- Nominated Best Supporting Actor
- Nominated Best Supporting Actress
- Nominated Best Young Actor/Actress
-
BAFTA 2007 1 nomination- Nominated Best Special Visual Effects
-
Oscars 2007 1 nomination- Nominated Visual Effects
Superman Returns Trailers & Videos
4 videos: 1 trailer, 2 clips and 1 featurette.
- Clip DC Super Scenes: Bullet Stopper
- Clip DC Super Scenes: In Love With Superman
- Featurette The Science of Superman
How Well Do You Know Superman Returns?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
How long has Superman been away from Earth in 'Superman Returns'?
Cars in Superman Returns
15 cars on screen, including the 2006 Audi A3 and the 1966 Ford Mustang.
-
2006 Audi A3 Important role -
1966 Ford Mustang Important role -
1939 Chevrolet Pickup Minor role -
1998 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
Superman Returns Also Known As
37 alternative titles, including “Superman Classic V: Superman Returns” and “Superman: Povratak”.
- Also known as
-
- Superman Classic V: Superman Returns
- Superman: Povratak
- Superman tuleb tagasi
- Supermenas: sugrižimas
- Povratak Supermena
- Superman se vraca
- 슈퍼맨 리턴즈
- Superman 5: Superman Returns
- 超人归来5
- Superman Dönüyor
- Superman visszatér
- Возвращение Супермена
+25 more Show fewer
- Super-Homem - O Regresso
- Superman Returns: el regreso
- 超人归来
- Superman: Powrót
- Superman se vrací
- Σούπερμαν: Η Επιστροφή
- סופרמן חוזר
- Superman revine
- スーパーマン リターンズ
- 수퍼맨 리턴즈
- Superman: O Retorno
- ซูเปอร์แมน รีเทิร์น
- Le Retour de Superman
- Повернення Супермена
- Супермен се завръща
- Superman Regresa
- Superman: el retorn
- Superman sa vracia
- Supermens atgriežas
- 超人再起
- سوپرمن برمیگردد
- Povratak Supermana
- 超人 - 強戰回歸
- عودة سوبرمان
- Siêu Nhân Trở Lại
Seen Superman Returns?
Movies Like Superman Returns
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Man of Steel, Superman and Superman II.
Superman Returns FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Superman Returns, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Superman Returns?
Superman Returns runs 2 hours 34 minutes (154 minutes).
When was Superman Returns released?
Superman Returns was released on June 28, 2006.
Who directed Superman Returns?
Superman Returns was directed by Bryan Singer.
More films by Bryan Singer Who is in the cast of Superman Returns?
Superman Returns stars Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth and Kevin Spacey.
Where can I watch Superman Returns?
In the US, Superman Returns is streaming on HBO Max and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Superman Returns make at the box office?
Superman Returns grossed $391.1 million worldwide ($200.1 million domestic, $191 million international) on a budget of $270 million.
How is Superman Returns rated?
Superman Returns has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 72 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.
What awards did Superman Returns win?
Superman Returns won 1 award from 7 nominations, including Best Director at the Saturn Awards 2007.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
