Superman (1978)

Superman
Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $134,218,018Details
International Box Office $165,981,982Details
Worldwide Box Office $300,200,000
Further financial details...

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$7,465,343 (5.6% of total gross)
Legs:12.95 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:44.7% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$55,000,000 (worldwide box office is 5.5 times production budget)
Theater counts:508 opening theaters/817 max. theaters, 3.6 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $589,211,698

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: December 15th, 1978 (Wide) by Warner Bros.
International Releases: July 9th, 2020 (Limited) (New Zealand)
December 3rd, 2020 (Limited) (Australia)
April 7th, 2023 (Limited) (United Kingdom)
April 14th, 2023 (Wide) (Spain)
April 16th, 2023 (Special Engagement) (Rerelease) (Spain)
... Show all releases
Video Release: May 1st, 2001 by Warner Home Video, released as Superman - The Movie
MPAA Rating: PG for peril, some mild sensuality and language.
Running Time: 143 minutes
Franchise: Superman
Comparisons: vs. Superman II
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Visual Effects, D.C. Comics, Heroic Adventure, Unexpected Families, Adopted Family, Time Travel, Romance, Death of a Girlfriend / Boyfriend
Source:Based on Comic/Graphic Novel
Genre:Adventure
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Super Hero
Production/Financing Companies: Warner Bros., Dovemead Ltd.
Production Countries: Panama, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date
Days In
Release
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day) 134 $10,364,384 Dec 29, 1978 17
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 17 $50,050,231 Dec 29, 1978 17
Christmas (All Movies, 3-Day) 237 $6,535,784 Dec 22, 1978 10
Christmas (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 68 $31,561,691 Dec 22, 1978 10

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Dec 15, 1978 1 $7,465,343   508 $14,696   $7,465,343 1
Dec 22, 1978 2 $6,535,784 -12% 806 $8,109   $18,580,136 2
Dec 29, 1978 1 $10,364,384 +59% 817 $12,686   $40,925,251 3
Jan 5, 1979 1 $7,492,687 -28% 806 $9,296   $54,826,254 4

Daily Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
Dec 15, 1978 1 $2,187,100   508 $4,305   $2,187,100 1
Dec 16, 1978 1 $2,762,112 +26% 508 $5,437   $4,949,212 2
Dec 17, 1978 1 $2,516,131 -9% 508 $4,953   $7,465,343 3

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Dec 15, 1978 1 $12,044,352   508 $23,709   $12,044,352 1
Dec 22, 1978 1 $18,516,515 +54% 806 $22,973   $30,560,867 2
Dec 29, 1978 1 $16,772,700 -9% 817 $20,530   $47,333,567 3

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date
Opening
Weekend
Opening
Weekend
Screens
Maximum
Screens
Theatrical
Engagements
Total
Box Office
Report
Date
Australia 12/3/2020 $15 1 1 1 $15 12/11/2020
Italy 4/24/2023 $0000$0
New Zealand 7/9/2020 $0 0 1 1 $396 6/28/2023
Spain 4/16/2023 $17,052 169 169 169 $17,052 4/20/2023
United Kingdom 4/7/2023 $19,129 128 128 176 $92,304 6/21/2023
 
Rest of World $165,872,215
 
International Total$165,981,982 6/28/2023

International Cumulative Box Office Records


Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records


Leading Cast

Supporting Cast

Ned Beatty Otis
Jackie Cooper Perry White
Gene Hackman Lex Luthor
Marlon Brando Jor-El
Glenn Ford Jonathan Kent
Trevor Howard 1st Elder
Margot Kidder Lois Lane
Valerie Perrine Eve Teschmacher
Maria Schell Vond-Ah
Terence Stamp General Zod
Phyllis Thaxter Ma Kent
Susannah York Lara
Jack O'Halloran Non
Jeff East Young Clark Kent
Marc McClure Jimmy Olsen
Sarah Douglas Ursa
Harry Andrews Elder
Vass Anderson Elder
John Hollis Elder
James Elder Elder
Michael Gover Elder
David Neal Elder
William Russell Elder
Penelope Lee Elder
John Stuart Elder
Alan Cullen Elder
Lee Quigley Baby Kal-El
Aaron Smolinski Baby Clark Kent
Diane Sherry Lana Lang
Jeff Atcheson Coach
Brad Flock Football Player
David Petrou Team Manager
Billy J. Mitchell Editor
Robert Henderson Editor
Larry Lamb Reporter
James Brockington Reporter
John Cassady Reporter
John F Parker Reporter
Antony Scott Reporter
Ray Evans Reporter
Sue Shifrin Reporter
Miquel Brown Reporter
Vincent Marzello Copy Boy
Benjamin Feitelson Copy Boy
Lise Hilboldt Secretary
Leueen Willoughby Secretary
Jill Ingham Perry's Secretary
Pieter Stuyck Window Cleaner
Weston Gavin Mugger
Stephen Kahan Officer
Ray Hassett Officer
Randy Jurgensen Officer
Matt Russo News Vendor
Colin Skeaping Pilot
Bo Rucker Pimp
Paul Avery TV Cameraman
David Baxt Burglar
George Harris II Patrolman Mooney
Michael Harrington Hood
John Cording Hood
Raymond Thompson Hood
Oz Clarke Hood
Rex Everhart Desk Sergeant
Jayne Tottman Little Girl
Frank Lazarus Air Force One Pilot
Brian Protheroe Co-pilot
Lawrence Trimble Crewman
Robert Whelan Crewman
David Calder Crewman
Norwich Duff Newscaster
G. Keith Alexander Newscaster
Michael Ensign Newscaster
Paul Tuerpe Sgt. Hayley
Graham McPherson Lieutenant
David Yorston Petty Officer
Robert O'Neill Admiral
Robert MacLeod General
John Ratzenberger Controller
Alan Tilvern Controller
Phil Brown State Senator
Bill Bailey Senator
Burnell Tucker Agent
Tug Smith Indian Chief
Norman Warwick Superchief Driver
Chuck Julian Assistant
Colin Etherington Power Co. Driver
Mark Wynter Mate
Roy Stevens Warden

Cameos

Rex Reed Rex Reed
Larry Hagman Major

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Richard Donner Director
Mario Puzo Screenwriter
David Newman Screenwriter
Leslie Newman Screenwriter
Robert Benton Screenwriter
Pierre Spengler Producer
Mario Puzo Story by
John Williams Composer
Ilya Salkind Executive Producer
John Barry Production Designer
Geoffrey Unsworth Director of Photography
Charles Greenlaw Associate Producer
David Tomblin Assistant Director
Dominic Fulford Assistant Director
Vincent Winter Assistant Director
Michael Dryhurst Assistant Director
Allan James Assistant Director
Gareth Tandy Assistant Director
Jerry Grandey Assistant Director
Michael Rauch Assistant Director
Bud Grace Assistant Director
David Tomblin Second Unit Director
John Glen Second Unit Director
John Barry Second Unit Director
David Lane Second Unit Director
Robert Lynn Second Unit Director
Dusty Symonds Production Manager
Peter Runfolo Production Manager
Les Kimber Production Manager
Austen Jewell Production Manager
Robert Simmonds Production Supervisor
Timothy Burrill Production Supervisor
Tim Hampton Production Supervisor
Maurice Fowler Supervising Art Director
Bill Brodie Supervising Art Director
Norman Dorme Art Director
Norman Reynolds Art Director
Ernest Archer Art Director
Tony Reading Art Director
Leslie Dilley Art Director
Stuart Craig Art Director
Gene Rudolf Art Director
Philip Bennet Art Director
Stan Jolley Art Director
Peter Howitt Set Decorator
Fred Weiler Set Decorator
Alex Thomson Additional Photography
Jack Atcheler Additional Photography
Bob Collins Additional Photography
Reginald Morris Additional Photography
Sol Negrin Additional Photography
Les Bowie Visual Effects Supervisor-Mattes and Composites
Denys Coop Visual Effects Supervisor-Process Photography
Roy Field Visual Effects Supervisor-Optical Visual Effects
Zoran Perisic Visual Effects Supervisor-Zoptic Effects
Derek Meddings Special Effects-Model Effects
Colin Chilvers Special Effects-Creative Supervisor and Director of Special Effects
Yvonne Blake Costume Designer
Betty Adamson Costume Designer-Additional Costume Designer
Betty Adamson Costume Supervisor
Stuart Baird Editor
Michael Ellis Editor
Gordon McCallum Sound Mixer
Roy Charman Sound Mixer
Norman Bolland Sound Mixer
Brian Marshall Sound Mixer
Richard Raguse Sound Mixer
Chris Large Sound Mixer
Charles Schmitz Production Manager
Gordon McCallum Re-recording Mixer
Graham V. Hartstone Re-recording Mixer
Nicolas Le Messurier Re-recording Mixer
Chris Greenham Supervising Sound Editor
Peter Pennell Sound Effects Editor
Stan Fiferman Sound Effects Editor
John Foster Sound Effects Editor
Michael Hopkins Dialogue Editor
Pat Foster Dialogue Editor
Stuart Freeborn Make up-Creative Supervisor
Leslie Bricusse Song Writer
Jerry Siegel Based on the Character Created by
Joe Shuster Based on the Character Created by
Lynn Stalmaster Casting Director
Mary Selway Casting Director
Alf Joint Stunt Coordinator
Vic Armstrong Stunt Coordinator
Alex Stevens Stunt Coordinator

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.

DVD and Blu-ray Releases for June 7th, 2011

June 7th, 2011

The summer is usually a really weak time for home market releases, but this week is amazing. Not only are there two $100 million hits coming out on DVD / Blu-ray this week, but there are also half-a-dozen TV on DVD releases, a few limited releases, direct-to-DVD releases, and catalog titles, many of which are worth picking up, or even contenders for Pick of the Week. I tried to narrow the list of contenders down to one, but I couldn't do it. In the end I went with Leverage: Season Three on DVD and True Grit on Blu-ray / DVD Combo Pack as co-winners of the Pick of the Week. More...


  1. Summary
  2. News
  3. Box Office
  4. International
  5. Video Sales
  6. Cast & Crew
  7. Trailer

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$7,465,343 (5.6% of total gross)
Legs:12.95 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:44.7% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$55,000,000 (worldwide box office is 5.5 times production budget)
Theater counts:508 opening theaters/817 max. theaters, 3.6 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $589,211,698

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: December 15th, 1978 (Wide) by Warner Bros.
International Releases: July 9th, 2020 (Limited) (New Zealand)
December 3rd, 2020 (Limited) (Australia)
April 7th, 2023 (Limited) (United Kingdom)
April 14th, 2023 (Wide) (Spain)
April 16th, 2023 (Special Engagement) (Rerelease) (Spain)
... Show all releases
Video Release: May 1st, 2001 by Warner Home Video, released as Superman - The Movie
MPAA Rating: PG for peril, some mild sensuality and language.
Running Time: 143 minutes
Franchise: Superman
Comparisons: vs. Superman II
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Visual Effects, D.C. Comics, Heroic Adventure, Unexpected Families, Adopted Family, Time Travel, Romance, Death of a Girlfriend / Boyfriend
Source:Based on Comic/Graphic Novel
Genre:Adventure
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Super Hero
Production/Financing Companies: Warner Bros., Dovemead Ltd.
Production Countries: Panama, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date
Days In
Release
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day) 134 $10,364,384 Dec 29, 1978 17
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 17 $50,050,231 Dec 29, 1978 17
Christmas (All Movies, 3-Day) 237 $6,535,784 Dec 22, 1978 10
Christmas (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 68 $31,561,691 Dec 22, 1978 10

Leading Cast

Supporting Cast

Ned Beatty Otis
Jackie Cooper Perry White
Gene Hackman Lex Luthor
Marlon Brando Jor-El
Glenn Ford Jonathan Kent
Trevor Howard 1st Elder
Margot Kidder Lois Lane
Valerie Perrine Eve Teschmacher
Maria Schell Vond-Ah
Terence Stamp General Zod
Phyllis Thaxter Ma Kent
Susannah York Lara
Jack O'Halloran Non
Jeff East Young Clark Kent
Marc McClure Jimmy Olsen
Sarah Douglas Ursa
Harry Andrews Elder
Vass Anderson Elder
John Hollis Elder
James Elder Elder
Michael Gover Elder
David Neal Elder
William Russell Elder
Penelope Lee Elder
John Stuart Elder
Alan Cullen Elder
Lee Quigley Baby Kal-El
Aaron Smolinski Baby Clark Kent
Diane Sherry Lana Lang
Jeff Atcheson Coach
Brad Flock Football Player
David Petrou Team Manager
Billy J. Mitchell Editor
Robert Henderson Editor
Larry Lamb Reporter
James Brockington Reporter
John Cassady Reporter
John F Parker Reporter
Antony Scott Reporter
Ray Evans Reporter
Sue Shifrin Reporter
Miquel Brown Reporter
Vincent Marzello Copy Boy
Benjamin Feitelson Copy Boy
Lise Hilboldt Secretary
Leueen Willoughby Secretary
Jill Ingham Perry's Secretary
Pieter Stuyck Window Cleaner
Weston Gavin Mugger
Stephen Kahan Officer
Ray Hassett Officer
Randy Jurgensen Officer
Matt Russo News Vendor
Colin Skeaping Pilot
Bo Rucker Pimp
Paul Avery TV Cameraman
David Baxt Burglar
George Harris II Patrolman Mooney
Michael Harrington Hood
John Cording Hood
Raymond Thompson Hood
Oz Clarke Hood
Rex Everhart Desk Sergeant
Jayne Tottman Little Girl
Frank Lazarus Air Force One Pilot
Brian Protheroe Co-pilot
Lawrence Trimble Crewman
Robert Whelan Crewman
David Calder Crewman
Norwich Duff Newscaster
G. Keith Alexander Newscaster
Michael Ensign Newscaster
Paul Tuerpe Sgt. Hayley
Graham McPherson Lieutenant
David Yorston Petty Officer
Robert O'Neill Admiral
Robert MacLeod General
John Ratzenberger Controller
Alan Tilvern Controller
Phil Brown State Senator
Bill Bailey Senator
Burnell Tucker Agent
Tug Smith Indian Chief
Norman Warwick Superchief Driver
Chuck Julian Assistant
Colin Etherington Power Co. Driver
Mark Wynter Mate
Roy Stevens Warden

Cameos

Rex Reed Rex Reed
Larry Hagman Major

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Richard Donner Director
Mario Puzo Screenwriter
David Newman Screenwriter
Leslie Newman Screenwriter
Robert Benton Screenwriter
Pierre Spengler Producer
Mario Puzo Story by
John Williams Composer
Ilya Salkind Executive Producer
John Barry Production Designer
Geoffrey Unsworth Director of Photography
Charles Greenlaw Associate Producer
David Tomblin Assistant Director
Dominic Fulford Assistant Director
Vincent Winter Assistant Director
Michael Dryhurst Assistant Director
Allan James Assistant Director
Gareth Tandy Assistant Director
Jerry Grandey Assistant Director
Michael Rauch Assistant Director
Bud Grace Assistant Director
David Tomblin Second Unit Director
John Glen Second Unit Director
John Barry Second Unit Director
David Lane Second Unit Director
Robert Lynn Second Unit Director
Dusty Symonds Production Manager
Peter Runfolo Production Manager
Les Kimber Production Manager
Austen Jewell Production Manager
Robert Simmonds Production Supervisor
Timothy Burrill Production Supervisor
Tim Hampton Production Supervisor
Maurice Fowler Supervising Art Director
Bill Brodie Supervising Art Director
Norman Dorme Art Director
Norman Reynolds Art Director
Ernest Archer Art Director
Tony Reading Art Director
Leslie Dilley Art Director
Stuart Craig Art Director
Gene Rudolf Art Director
Philip Bennet Art Director
Stan Jolley Art Director
Peter Howitt Set Decorator
Fred Weiler Set Decorator
Alex Thomson Additional Photography
Jack Atcheler Additional Photography
Bob Collins Additional Photography
Reginald Morris Additional Photography
Sol Negrin Additional Photography
Les Bowie Visual Effects Supervisor-Mattes and Composites
Denys Coop Visual Effects Supervisor-Process Photography
Roy Field Visual Effects Supervisor-Optical Visual Effects
Zoran Perisic Visual Effects Supervisor-Zoptic Effects
Derek Meddings Special Effects-Model Effects
Colin Chilvers Special Effects-Creative Supervisor and Director of Special Effects
Yvonne Blake Costume Designer
Betty Adamson Costume Designer-Additional Costume Designer
Betty Adamson Costume Supervisor
Stuart Baird Editor
Michael Ellis Editor
Gordon McCallum Sound Mixer
Roy Charman Sound Mixer
Norman Bolland Sound Mixer
Brian Marshall Sound Mixer
Richard Raguse Sound Mixer
Chris Large Sound Mixer
Charles Schmitz Production Manager
Gordon McCallum Re-recording Mixer
Graham V. Hartstone Re-recording Mixer
Nicolas Le Messurier Re-recording Mixer
Chris Greenham Supervising Sound Editor
Peter Pennell Sound Effects Editor
Stan Fiferman Sound Effects Editor
John Foster Sound Effects Editor
Michael Hopkins Dialogue Editor
Pat Foster Dialogue Editor
Stuart Freeborn Make up-Creative Supervisor
Leslie Bricusse Song Writer
Jerry Siegel Based on the Character Created by
Joe Shuster Based on the Character Created by
Lynn Stalmaster Casting Director
Mary Selway Casting Director
Alf Joint Stunt Coordinator
Vic Armstrong Stunt Coordinator
Alex Stevens Stunt Coordinator

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.

DVD and Blu-ray Releases for June 7th, 2011

June 7th, 2011

The summer is usually a really weak time for home market releases, but this week is amazing. Not only are there two $100 million hits coming out on DVD / Blu-ray this week, but there are also half-a-dozen TV on DVD releases, a few limited releases, direct-to-DVD releases, and catalog titles, many of which are worth picking up, or even contenders for Pick of the Week. I tried to narrow the list of contenders down to one, but I couldn't do it. In the end I went with Leverage: Season Three on DVD and True Grit on Blu-ray / DVD Combo Pack as co-winners of the Pick of the Week. More...

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Dec 15, 1978 1 $7,465,343   508 $14,696   $7,465,343 1
Dec 22, 1978 2 $6,535,784 -12% 806 $8,109   $18,580,136 2
Dec 29, 1978 1 $10,364,384 +59% 817 $12,686   $40,925,251 3
Jan 5, 1979 1 $7,492,687 -28% 806 $9,296   $54,826,254 4

Daily Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossDays
Dec 15, 1978 1 $2,187,100   508 $4,305   $2,187,100 1
Dec 16, 1978 1 $2,762,112 +26% 508 $5,437   $4,949,212 2
Dec 17, 1978 1 $2,516,131 -9% 508 $4,953   $7,465,343 3

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Dec 15, 1978 1 $12,044,352   508 $23,709   $12,044,352 1
Dec 22, 1978 1 $18,516,515 +54% 806 $22,973   $30,560,867 2
Dec 29, 1978 1 $16,772,700 -9% 817 $20,530   $47,333,567 3

Box Office Summary Per Territory

Territory Release
Date
Opening
Weekend
Opening
Weekend
Screens
Maximum
Screens
Theatrical
Engagements
Total
Box Office
Report
Date
Australia 12/3/2020 $15 1 1 1 $15 12/11/2020
Italy 4/24/2023 $0000$0
New Zealand 7/9/2020 $0 0 1 1 $396 6/28/2023
Spain 4/16/2023 $17,052 169 169 169 $17,052 4/20/2023
United Kingdom 4/7/2023 $19,129 128 128 176 $92,304 6/21/2023
 
Rest of World $165,872,215
 
International Total$165,981,982 6/28/2023

International Cumulative Box Office Records


Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records