---
title: "Superman III"
year: 1983
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/superman-iii"
fi1m_id: "superman-iii"
imdb_id: "tt0086393"
tmdb_id: 9531
wikidata_id: "Q528095"
fi1m_score: 49
critics_score: 56
critics_reviews: 8
published: "2026-10-04T18:21:17.154657+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-04T18:21:45.407320+00:00"
region: "RO"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Superman III (1983)

Directed by Richard Lester · 2h 05m · Comedy, Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

## Identity

Superman III

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/superman-iii
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** superman-iii
- **IMDb ID:** tt0086393
- **TMDB ID:** 9531
- **Wikidata ID:** Q528095
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086393/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/9531, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q528095

**Fi1m score: 49** · Critics 56 from 8 reviews

*In a sentence:* Christopher Reeve looks ready to save the world, if the comedy would give him a minute

> Christopher Reeve and Annette O’Toole bring warmth to *Superman III*, but Richard Lester’s broad comedy keeps getting in their way. There are pleasures here, though not enough to make the muddle worth recommending.

## Synopsis

Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve) spends time in Smallville with Lana Lang (Annette O’Toole), finding room for a personal relationship alongside his responsibilities as Superman. August ‘Gus’ Gorman (Richard Pryor) also enters the story, which sets Superman against the prospect of a computer powerful enough to control him. The opening introduces its comic approach through a succession of slapstick mishaps. From there, Clark’s connection with Lana shares the film with a technological threat that could put his powers beyond his own control.

## Review

Richard Lester treats *Superman III* as a comedy with a superhero available when required. That is a reasonable way to vary the formula, and the film is promising when it lets ordinary awkwardness interrupt Superman’s importance. Too often, though, it settles for broad comic business that is neither sharp enough nor funny enough to justify the interruption. Christopher Reeve gives it more care than the uneven screenplay deserves, but we cannot recommend the whole film on the strength of his performance.

The opening slapstick suggests this approach might work. Richard Lester arranges comic mishaps with a confidence the rest of the film does not consistently share, and John Victor Smith’s editing makes their timing count. We can see why comedy seemed worth pursuing: there is pleasure in watching a superhero film busy itself with ordinary things going wrong. Unfortunately, the opening also sets a standard for the jokes that follow, and too many fall short.

Smallville gives the film something more dependable. Christopher Reeve makes Clark’s awkwardness appealing without treating him as an idiot, while Annette O’Toole makes Lana good company without having to insist upon her charm. We were touched by Clark and Lana’s scenes together, because his hesitancy and her warmth make their affection seem worth taking seriously. Robert Paynter’s cinematography gives their exchanges an unshowy directness that suits the performances, allowing this quieter part of the film to hold our attention without straining for another joke.

Richard Pryor is less fortunate. August ‘Gus’ Gorman receives so much comic attention that the performance needs a freedom the screenplay by Leslie Newman and David Newman does not provide. The jokes feel prescribed, and the effort to keep them coming becomes tiring before the film stops making it. There is nothing wrong with allowing someone other than Superman to be funny, but this material repeatedly makes a gifted comic seem like an awkward guest.

The computer threat has a similar problem: it supplies something for Superman to confront without giving us much reason to worry. Peter Murton’s production design gives the machinery enough presence, but the scenes around it struggle to hold our interest. Ken Thorne’s music is more persuasive when supporting the adventure than when accommodating the comic detours. Their work helps keep the film watchable, although it cannot repair the uncertain balance between danger and fooling about.

There is good action here, and Christopher Reeve retains the conviction needed to make the heroic business work. A superhero comedy should be able to take its central character seriously while finding his circumstances funny. This one too often interrupts our interest in Superman to pursue a gag of doubtful value. The problem is repetition rather than any objection to a lighter tone.

At 125 minutes, there is too much waiting for the next stretch that works. The Smallville scenes show how much can be gained by giving Clark someone we enjoy watching him talk to, which makes the diversions especially wearing. Return for Christopher Reeve if affection for his Superman is already firmly established; otherwise, there are better uses of an evening.

*Fi1m score 49, published 4 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews lean mixed, with praise clustering around Christopher Reeve, the Smallville scenes and individual comic sequences rather than the film as a whole. Reeve’s handling of the dual role remains a strength even for detractors, while the relationship between Clark Kent and Annette O’Toole’s character supplies welcome warmth. The opening slapstick also earns approval from otherwise opposed reviews, suggesting that the comedy works better in particular passages than across the full film.

The spread is wide, and the main divide concerns the lighter tone. The Hollywood Reporter welcomes Richard Lester’s brisk direction and finds an energetic audience-pleaser. Time Out admires the satire and precisely timed slapstick. Less favourable reviews find the broad humour overdone, Richard Pryor poorly used, and the drama short of its predecessors’ wonder and scope. Two of the eight reviews lack accessible text, so their specific reasoning cannot be established.

## Straight answers

**Is Superman III worth watching?**

*Superman III* is difficult to recommend beyond established admirers of Christopher Reeve’s Superman, and we score it 49 out of 100. Reeve and Annette O’Toole bring warmth to Clark and Lana’s Smallville scenes, but the repetitive broad comedy keeps interrupting both their relationship and the adventure.

**How long is Superman III, and what is it rated?**

*Superman III* runs 2h 05m. It is a comedy and science fiction film.

**Where can I watch Superman III in Romania?**

*Superman III* is not on any streaming or rental service in Romania at the moment. It is available in 25 other countries; change your country at the top of the page to see where. Availability is checked daily.

**How does Superman III compare to The Iron Giant?**

*Superman III* is the weaker choice beside [*The Iron Giant*](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant), which makes its gentle, powerful hero’s kindness matter within a more involving story. We find warmth in Clark and Lana’s relationship, but the comedy repeatedly gets in their way; Brad Bird’s boy-and-robot friendship earns its humour, tenderness and sense of danger, despite some over-neatly drawn adults.

### Reviews we read (8)

- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Arthur Knight (80/100, inferred): Knight finds the film great fun and an energetic audience-pleaser, despite some letdowns. He especially praises Richard Lester’s brisk direction and Annette O’Toole’s warmth. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/superman-3-review-movie-original-1983-1236308897/)
- **Time Out**, GA (74/100, inferred): The review presents the film as the series’ most satirical entry. It singles out the opening credits’ precisely timed slapstick as especially impressive. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/superman-iii)
- **The New York Times**, Janet Maslin (63/100, inferred): The article text is unavailable, so the critic’s verdict cannot be established. Its praise or complaint cannot be reliably identified from the accessible page. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/1983/06/17/movies/superman-iii-reeve-joined-by-pryor.html)
- **RogerEbert.com** (62/100, inferred): The page could not be accessed, so the critic’s verdict and specific praise or complaint cannot be verified. The available page contains only a browser-check message. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/superman-iii-1983)
- **Radio Times**, John Ferguson (3/5): Ferguson finds the humour uneven and says the film cannot sustain the irreverence of its predecessor. He praises Superman’s turn to nastiness and the sweet Smallville scenes, while finding Richard Pryor’s comic presence ineffective. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-fupq59/superman-iii/)
- **Empire**, William Thomas (38/100, inferred): Thomas finds the film lighter and less dramatically compelling than its predecessors, despite some good action. He praises Christopher Reeve’s command of his dual role but faults the film’s whimsical tone and diminished sense of wonder. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/superman-iii-review/)
- **Variety**, Variety Staff (30/100, inferred): The review finds Superman III a disappointment, criticizing its broad-comedy focus and lack of the earlier films’ mythic scope. It praises the pre-credits sequence as hilarious and notes the appealing relationship between Clark Kent and Annette O’Toole’s character. [Read](https://variety.com/1982/film/reviews/superman-iii-1200425419/)
- **Eye for Film**, Stephen Carty (35/100, inferred): Carty considers Superman III the weakest instalment so far, though still worth watching for Christopher Reeve. He praises the Smallville story arc and Reeve’s performance, while criticizing the overdone comedy and Richard Pryor’s miscasting. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/superman-iii-film-review-by-stephen-carty)

## Details

- **Director:** Richard Lester
- **Director:** Richard Lester
- **Screenplay:** Leslie Newman, David Newman
- **Cinematography:** Robert Paynter
- **Editor:** John Victor Smith
- **Music:** Ken Thorne
- **Production design:** Peter Murton
- **Producer:** Pierre Spengler
- **Cast:** Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent / Superman; Richard Pryor as August 'Gus' Gorman; Annette O'Toole as Lana Lang; Robert Vaughn as Ross Webster; Annie Ross as Vera Webster; Pamela Stephenson as Lorelei Ambrosia; Gavan O'Herlihy as Brad Wilson; Paul Kaethler as Ricky Lang
- **Runtime:** 2h 05m
- **First release (Brazil):** 17 June 1983
- **Genres:** Comedy, Science Fiction, Action, Adventure
- **Budget:** $39 million
- **Box office:** $80 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6LHQrfGEW4

## Where to watch in Romania

Not streaming, renting or buying in Romania at the last check.

Also available in: AR, AT, AU, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, DE, EC, GB, HK, ID, IE, IT, MX, MY, NL, PA, PE, PH, PT, SG, TH, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Musical Score 1984: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Musical Score (nominated)
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award 1984: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *The Rocketeer* (1991): A sweeter superhero adventure, with the human scale this film too often neglects.
- *The Iron Giant* (1999), Fi1m 88: For another gentle hero whose extraordinary strength matters less than his kindness. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant.md)
- *Kung Fu Hustle* (2004): Slapstick and impossible physical feats combined with far greater comic confidence.
- *Mr. India* (1987): A warmer blend of superpowers, broad comedy and everyday human attachments.
- *The Absent-Minded Professor* (1961): For scientific chaos handled with a lighter touch and a steadier comic rhythm.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/superman-iii