Superman II (1980): cast, story & where to watch
1980 · Film · ★ 6.7
Released in 1980, Superman II is an action, adventure and science fiction film directed by Richard Lester, running about 127 minutes. “The Man of Steel meets his match!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Three escaped criminals from the planet Krypton test the Man of Steel's mettle. Led by General Zod, the Kryptonians take control of the White House and partner with Lex Luthor to destroy Superman and rule the world. But Superman, who attempts to make himself human in order to get closer to Lois, realizes he has a responsibility to save the planet.
Who’s in it. Superman II stars Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent / Superman, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and Ned Beatty as Otis, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.7/10, Superman II has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $190.5M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV and HBO Max and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Superman II page.
If you liked it. Fans of Superman II tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Superman II (1980)?
- In US, Superman II is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV and HBO Max, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Google Play Movies and YouTube. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Superman II worth watching?
- Superman II holds an audience score of 6.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy action, adventure and science fiction. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Superman II?
- Superman II stars Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Ned Beatty and Jackie Cooper.
- When was Superman II released?
- Superman II was released in 1980, with a runtime of about 127 minutes.