User Score
6.0 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 239 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 64 out of 239

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  1. May 22, 2013
    9
    No, I do not think that this movie is the best Superhero movie of all time. However, I do think that this is a very good movie. This movie was made back in a time when people thought superheroes were more romantic and silly than anything else (if you want another movie like that, all three of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man movies). This movie is a perfect movie that shows what superheroes were like during that era. I believe that the main reason a lot of people do not like this film as much as they used too is merely because this is the era of more grown up superhero movies (Christopher Nolan's Batman movies) which are much darker. Superman II is definitely the perfect movie for romantic superhero fans. It is very charismatic and heroic at the same time. It has a simple plot with villains threatening to take over the world, but the hero always triumphs in the end, and also gets the girl. While this plot is simple, so were the original Spider-Man movies which came out much later. Probably my only real complaint about this movie is that even though the romantic hero plot was good for the time, it is a little outdated now, as more grown up superhero movies have been released. I still think that this a great movie nonetheless. Expand
  2. Apr 30, 2013
    9
    more like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaomore like lmfaov Expand
  3. Jul 12, 2012
    9
    My favorite of the Superman movies. I don't know how on Earth this film got a 5.8 User Score. This was also the most interesting, as Superman finally had someone who could really challenge him and he doesn't always emerge victorious. This film also explores Clark's and Lois' relationship much more than in the first film, which proves to me that its an improvement.
  4. Apr 14, 2012
    10
    Superman II is every bit as good as the first, and even possibly better. When it comes to stories in superhero movies, this is about as good as it gets.
  5. DanS
    Oct 7, 2009
    10
    Still the greatest Superman movie ever made, and still one of the greatest super hero movies ever made.
  6. JoelW.
    Sep 10, 2009
    9
    This film is fantastic. And even more so because it's a sequel. I think it's terrific. And I dont understand how anyone can say this is "Unwatchable" - have those users never seen "Grandma's Boy", "Club Dread" or "Going Overboard"? THEY'RE unwatchable!
  7. CrisenM.
    May 20, 2009
    10
    Loved it!
  8. RichardO
    Mar 2, 2009
    10
    A fun fantastic film that still stands the test of time, Christopher Reeve played the lead role(s) perfectly and will be sadly missed. The John Williams Score is probably one of the most memorable and uplifting in Cinema history and still gives me goose bumps when played, should this be No:2 in the list? Not really, but still a 10 in my eyes!!
  9. JaredK
    Nov 11, 2008
    10
    This loud goofy campy fun, see it.
  10. TedF
    Oct 28, 2008
    10
    Superman II is bright, funny, and clever. Even with all the innovations in special effects so many super hero movies lack the chemistry that Superman I and II had. I love the brains over brawn ending.
  11. FrankS.
    Aug 23, 2008
    10
    Great movie. One of the best of the "modern" superhero movies. Released in 1980 you can see the effect of this movie on newer releases such as Spiderman II and even The Dark Knight. I enjoyed Superman Returns, but not nearly as good as Superman II or even the original.
  12. RyanF.
    Jul 23, 2008
    10
    My favorite Super Hero movie still of all time. This movie contains all the vital components that makes Comic Books so appealing. Action, Drama, Searching one's intersoul, redemption, and Earth's Greatest Protector against 3 equally powerful threats in the Greatest Showdown of our time. I wish this production team would gather together and do a remake of the story with new age special effects, minus Brandon Routh and Kate Boswell, but find the closest equals to Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder. It would be an even bigger hit! But then again, I love the classics in their original form, so might as well leave it be. Check out the Richard Donner Cut, it is just as good! Expand
  13. ChrisC
    Jul 22, 2008
    10
    Arguably the greatest comic book movie of all time. that includes the dark knight.
  14. DeepuG.
    Dec 19, 2007
    10
    Excellent movie. Reeve at his best. All-time classic.
  15. MichaelM.
    Jul 25, 2007
    9
    You have to look at this movie's rating subjectively. Objectively, it's not the 2nd best movie ever made, but in the subgenre of "superhero movies," it's among the 3 best I've ever seen. Movie reviewers have to take all of this context into account. That's why it's here.
  16. ZacharyM
    Jul 11, 2007
    10
    Although Superman II had it's outlandish moments, the overall production of Lesters take on the DC comic series is phenomenal. Where this film excels is in it's direction--combining an amazing script with the momentum of the plot leave the viewer in anticipation for the climax without over analysis or explanation.
  17. SimonM.
    Apr 10, 2007
    10
    Yes it's camp, yes it's dated, but it is F__cking awesome.
  18. DemetriS.
    Jan 5, 2007
    9
    Excellent movie. We all have likes and dislikes, but don't give this movie a 0-5 score because your'e mad it has such a avg. high score from the critics! Rate it what you truely think it deserves. I thought it was excellent in 1981 and still do.
  19. SeanB.
    Dec 26, 2006
    10
    It's unlikely you haven't seen this movie yet, but if you have, don't trust the naysayers who have previously posted reviews. Sure, the Donner version may be the more interesting, but "Superman 2" as it was originally release is terrific entertainment, among the most memorable of all the action pictures I saw as a kid, and fully deserving of its high Metacritic score.
  20. MarcR.
    Aug 29, 2006
    10
    This is best Superman movie ever made, period.
  21. JoeW.
    Aug 9, 2006
    10
    This movie is great because they actually made a great superman movie without ending it with kryptonite.
  22. MICkG
    Aug 1, 2006
    10
    Incredible!!!!
  23. MattR.
    Jul 26, 2006
    10
    Best Superman movie ever.
  24. GeorgeS.
    Jul 14, 2006
    10
    Not better that Superman: The Movie, but just as enjoyable!!!! Incredible movie for all Superman fans, comic book fans, and film fans in general!
  25. BrandonL.
    Jun 26, 2006
    10
    "Superman II" is a great sequel to an incredible film. Sure, the love scenes are soapy and the film does drag in scenes, but the action sequences make up for it. R.I.P. Christopher Reeve 1952-2004. You'll always be Superman.
  26. James
    Jun 21, 2006
    10
    Better than the first.
Metascore

Universal acclaim - based on 7 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. 100
    With his perfect pacing, elegant narrative design, and depth of characterization, Richard Lester has made as good a matinee movie as could be imagined: it's a big, generous, beautifully crafted piece of entertainment, with the distinctive Lester touch in the busy backgrounds and the throwaway dialogue.
  2. 100
    It brings the fantastic into our everyday lives; it delights in showing us the reaction of the man on the street to Superman's latest stunt.
  3. Reviewed by: Staff (Not credited)
    100
    It boasts a more consistent tone, better special effects (such as villains throwing buses around like paper planes), and even an affecting love story.