Superman III
Movie, 1983, Christopher Reeve, Set in Metropolis
Superman III is #5 of 11 in release order and #5 of 11 in chronological order in the Superman.
The story
Aiming to defeat the Man of Steel, wealthy executive Ross Webster hires bumbling but brilliant Gus Gorman to develop synthetic kryptonite, which yields some unexpected psychological effects. Between rekindling romance with his high school sweetheart and saving himself, Superman must contend with a powerful supercomputer.
Superman III recap
Gus Gorman, an unemployed man who turns out to be a computer genius, starts work at a company run by the greedy businessman Ross Webster and steals from its payroll. Webster sees his talent and uses him for bigger schemes, including controlling a weather satellite to wipe out Colombia's coffee crop. Meanwhile, Clark goes back to Smallville for a high school reunion and reconnects with his old crush Lana Lang. Superman stops the weather attack, so Webster has Gus make synthetic kryptonite. It is flawed and does not kill Superman but slowly turns him selfish and cruel: he straightens the Leaning Tower of Pisa and causes an oil spill. The good Clark and the evil Superman split and fight it out in a scrapyard, and Clark wins. Webster has Gus build a supercomputer in a canyon to control the world's oil.
Superman III ending explained
The supercomputer becomes self-aware and fights back against Superman with weapons and kryptonite rays, and turns Webster's sister Vera into a cyborg. Gus, horrified, helps Superman, and Superman destroys the computer with acid. Superman drops Gus off at a job with a mining company, puts the Tower of Pisa back at its lean, and settles into a new relationship with Lana.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Superman III
Superman III is streaming on YouTube TV and HBO Max in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 5.0/10, Rotten Tomatoes 31%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Superman II, before Supergirl.
- Chronological order: after Superman II, before Supergirl.
What to watch before Superman III
In release order, the essentials before Superman III (1983) are Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980).
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
- Jackie Cooper as Perry White
- Margot Kidder as Lois Lane
- Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen
- Helen Horton as Miss Henderson
Directed by Richard Lester.