Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

Dir. Richard Donner. 1980/2006, 116 mins. U.S. DCP. With Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Terence Stamp, Jackie Cooper, Ned Beatty, Marlon Brando, Sarah Douglas, Jack O’Halloran. This sequel to Donner’s 1978 comic-book smash Superman, which introduced the world to Christopher Reeve as the flying superhero and Margot Kidder as his intrepid Girl Friday, Lois Lane, deepened both the human drama and the humor for a tour de force that outmatched the original. With its unforgettable scenes set at Superman’s icebound Fortress of Solitude in the Arctic, and Stamp’s mesmerizing General Zod, the franchise’s greatest villain, Superman II remains the best of the series. Yet the backstory of the production is as much a part of Hollywood lore: due to tensions with the producers, Donner was fired from the film with three-quarters already in the can, and Richard Lester (A Hard Day’s Night) was brought in to finish, resulting in his reshooting most of it in order to justify a full directorial credit. Decades later, the original Donner footage was recovered from a vault in England and the director’s original vision was restored, including scenes originally cut. 

Tickets: $17.50 / $12 senior and students / $10 youth (ages 3–17) / discounted for MoMI members ($7–$11). There is a $1.50 transaction fee per ticket for all online purchases. The cost of admission may be applied toward a same-day purchase of a membership. 

Order tickets. Please pick up tickets at the Museum’s admissions desk upon arrival. All seating is general admission.