What we flagged
View all categories
Our take
Superman Returns mixes superhero danger with a story about absence and old love. An airliner nearly crashes, streets collapse, and Superman endures a brutal kryptonite beating; a child is also caught in danger. Language is mild, while kissing, an implied past romance, and Lois's smoking remain background elements. We put it at around 10 and up, with a parent nearby for the larger action scenes.
Uplifting themes
Showing up for people, using power to help, and putting a city before your own heartache sit in the open. Absence has a cost. Trying to repair that is treated as the grown-up work Clark is gentle with a child who needs a steady adult, and Lois is a determined reporter. Luthor is greedy and cruel, clearly not the person to copy. Some heroics still look effortless, which is worth a chat You can talk about crystals, maps, and why land and power tempt people. It is comic-book science. The better classroom is about responsibility after you have let someone down
Story (may spoil tone)
Superman returns to discover his 5-year absence has allowed Lex Luthor to walk free, and that those he was closest to felt abandoned and have moved on. Luthor plots his ultimate revenge that could see millions killed and change the face of the planet forever, as well as ridding himself of the Man of Steel.
What we flagged
Details
Violence An airliner in trouble, streets tearing apart, and a long beating with…
An airliner in trouble, streets tearing apart, and a long beating with kryptonite give the film its punch. Luthor's plan threatens huge numbers of people. Fists and collapse land harder than blood, and the hero pays a cost on screen
Language Newsroom and crisis chatter includes damn, hell, and crap. It is infreq…
Newsroom and crisis chatter includes damn, hell, and crap. It is infrequent and mild for a blockbuster. Strong swearing is not the texture of the film
Sex / nudity Lois and Clark share kisses, and an old romance is the reason a child e…
Lois and Clark share kisses, and an old romance is the reason a child exists in the story. A newsroom line treats sex as something that sells papers. Clothes stay on; the heat is implication and longing
Drugs / alcohol Lois smokes, and Superman tells her she should not. Cigarettes are a ch…
Lois smokes, and Superman tells her she should not. Cigarettes are a character habit, not a party montage. A drink may appear at a gathering, then the plot moves on
Frightening The airliner sequence is loud and shaky, and later the ground itself be…
The airliner sequence is loud and shaky, and later the ground itself becomes a threat. A child is on a vessel when the new land rises. Dark skies and a weakened hero will unsettle younger superhero fans
Child peril / abuse A young boy is caught in danger as Luthor's new land rises around a ves…
A young boy is caught in danger as Luthor's new land rises around a vessel. The peril lasts for several scenes before he is rescued
Gore / death / weapons Kryptonite is used like a weapon, and there is talk of blood during the…
Kryptonite is used like a weapon, and there is talk of blood during the beating. You see Superman hurt and struggling to stand. Wounds are not lingered on in a horror way
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
Family watch notes
What other parents think.
Be the first family to leave a watch note.
Talk after watching
- Superman left for years and the people who loved him had to get on with life. How do you talk about showing up after you have been gone?
- Lex wants land and power at any cost. What does using science only for yourself look like in real life?
Ask ClearAge
Superman Returns
Ask about this guide, or name another film to open its ClearAge page.
