Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
Movie, 1987, Christopher Reeve, Set in Metropolis
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace is #7 of 11 in release order and #7 of 11 in chronological order in the Superman.
The story
With global superpowers engaged in an increasingly hostile arms race, Superman leads a crusade to rid the world of nuclear weapons. But Lex Luthor, recently sprung from jail, is declaring war on the Man of Steel and his quest to save the planet. Using a strand of Superman's hair, Luthor synthesizes a powerful ally known as Nuclear Man and ignites an epic battle spanning Earth and space.
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace recap
A schoolboy writes to Superman asking him to rid the world of nuclear weapons, and after hesitating, Superman announces at the United Nations that he will, and throws the world's missiles into the sun. Lex Luthor escapes prison with his nephew Lenny, steals a strand of Superman's hair from a museum and uses it to create Nuclear Man, a solar-powered being as strong as Superman, by attaching it to a missile that Superman throws into the sun. Meanwhile, a tabloid tycoon buys the Daily Planet and his daughter Lacy chases Clark. Nuclear Man wrecks the Great Wall of China and nearly kills Superman with radioactive scratches in their first fight, and Superman, weakened, uses his last Kryptonian crystal to recover. Nuclear Man falls for Lacy and kidnaps her into space.
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace ending explained
Superman realises Nuclear Man loses his power without sunlight, so he traps him in an elevator, moves the Moon to block out the Sun, and drops him into a nuclear reactor. He returns Lex to prison and Lenny to a boys' home. Perry White takes back control of the Daily Planet, and Superman tells the world that peace will come when people want it.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace is streaming on HBO Max in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 3.8/10, Rotten Tomatoes 17%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Supergirl, before Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.
- Chronological order: after Supergirl, before Superman Returns.
What to watch before Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
In release order, the essentials before Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) are Superman (1978), Superman II (1980), and Superman III (1983).
Cast
- Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent / Superman
- Margot Kidder as Lois Lane
- Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor
- Mariel Hemingway as Lacy Warfield
- Jackie Cooper as Perry White
- Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen
- Jon Cryer as Lenny
- Sam Wanamaker as David Warfield
- Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man
- Damian McLawhorn as Jeremy
- William Hootkins as Harry Howler
- Jim Broadbent as Jean Pierre Dubois
Directed by Sidney J. Furie.