SUPERMAN RETURNS
Christological Superman, beautifully made—with discernment for ages 13 and up.
Should You Watch It?
Superman Returns is a four-star entertainment with unusually strong Christian symbolism. Superman returns to a world that has moved on without him, yet still needs a savior. The film openly discusses that need and presents Superman as someone who sacrifices himself for others.
The movie is also darker and more morally muddled than the earlier Superman films. Lois Lane lives with a man without marriage, Superman drinks to dull his sorrow, and the story includes light profanity, references to cannibalism and a child molester, and other troubling material.
If you are choosing for children 12 and under, choose something else. For older teenagers and adults, this is worth seeing—especially if you want a visually impressive film that invites serious theological discussion.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESSuperman returns to Earth after searching for the remains of Krypton, his home planet. He finds that Lois Lane has built a life with Richard White and her five-year-old son.
After rescuing Lois and other reporters from a disastrous test flight, Superman discovers that Lex Luthor has stolen the crystals from the Fortress of Solitude. Luthor plans to use them to create a new continent and threaten the world. Superman must face his old enemy while confronting what his return means for a changed world.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a thoroughly entertaining big-budget movie with beautifully executed special effects. The premise is clear, the danger is effective, and the film delivers the jeopardy and excitement expected from a major action picture.
Kevin Spacey is terrific as Lex Luthor, bringing tongue-in-cheek self-awareness to the villain’s mean-spirited jokes. Brandon Routh is well built and exhibits innocence, though he sometimes seems uncomfortable as Superman. The director occasionally emphasizes dramatic relationships over action, so viewers expecting the earlier films’ nonstop spectacle may miss some of that energy.
The Worldview
Superman Returns is one of the clearest Christological allegories in popular film. Lois Lane once argues that the world does not need Superman, but Superman asks why so many people are praying for a savior. The film also contains a Passion sequence in which Lex Luthor stabs Superman in the side.
The symbolism is direct: Superman returns to a world that has moved on, yet still needs him. His father has sent his only begotten son to save a troubled world, and Superman responds with honor, valor, loyalty, honesty, and self-sacrifice. Those qualities align with a biblical vision of sacrificial love and moral courage.
The film’s moral picture is less clear in other areas. Lois lives with Richard without marriage, and the story hints at compromised purity and integrity. Superman’s relationship with Lois is also clouded by their history. Lex Luthor compares Superman to ancient mythological gods and accuses him of selfishly refusing to share his power. The darker contemporary setting makes the film’s Christian imagery powerful, but not uncomplicated.
The film’s central longing is for a savior who will return to a world that needs rescue. Scripture gives that longing its true fulfillment: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son” (John 3:16).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong Christian, moral worldview with discussions about people asking for a savior, a clear representation of the Passion, clear savior symbolism, but spoiled by an improper relationship and hints of a lack of purity and integrity, and villain says god is selfish and won’t share his power, referring to Superman; five light obscenities and four light profanities; lots of action violence with little blood, including Superman stabbed with kryptonite, Superman kicked and punched brutally, people in car wrecks, objects fall on people, people shot by robber with modern Gatling gun, people tossed about by growing crystalline structures, woman tossed about violently in a plane, woman and child shoved around by criminals, and dog cannibalizes other dogs; passionate kissing and hugging, heroine living with man for several years and reference to one villain being a child molester; upper male nudity; heavy alcohol use; smoking; and, anger, resentment and revenge rebuked.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Superman asks why people are praying for a savior. What does Scripture say people truly need, and how is Jesus different from a fictional hero?
John 3:16 · Acts 4:12The film presents Superman as someone who sacrifices himself for others. What makes sacrifice loving rather than merely impressive?
John 15:13 · Philippians 2:3–8Lois and Richard live together without marriage. What does Scripture teach about faithfulness, purity, and the covenant of marriage?
Hebrews 13:4 · 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5Lex Luthor says Superman is selfish for not sharing his power. How does that accusation compare with biblical teaching about power, humility, and service?
Mark 10:42–45 · Philippians 2:5–8The Final Word
Superman Returns is beautifully made, exciting, and unusually rich in Christian symbolism. Its darker world, improper relationship, alcohol use, profanity, and disturbing references make it unsuitable for children 12 and under. For older teenagers and adults, the answer is WORTH THE TRIP — AGES 13 AND UP.
