Real Steel

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Real Steel

PG-13

2011

2h 7m

Action

Drama

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

60%

Tomatometer

230 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Charlie Kenton used to be a prizefighter but lost his chance to win a title when heavy, towering robots took over the boxing ring. Now working as a small-time promoter, Charlie pieces together scrap metal into low-end fighters, barely earning enough to make it from one underground venue to the next. After hitting rock bottom, Charlie reluctantly teams with his estranged son, Max, to build and train a championship robot for a last shot at redemption.

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Critics Consensus

Silly premise notwithstanding, this is a well-made Hollywood movie: Thrilling and exciting action with just enough characterization.

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Logan Hill

New York Magazine/Vulture

Nov 14, 2018

It's more of a throwback to Horatio Alger's Ragged Dick, a rags-to-middle-class-respectability tale about the humble joy of old-fashioned decency.

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Tom Charity

CNN.com

Nov 14, 2018

It's as corny as Kansas, but the mix of old fashioned heart and new fangled animatronic cyber tech will make this picture a winner for fathers and sons.

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Shawn Levy

New York Times

Nov 6, 2018

All things considered, it is a well-wrought piece of entertainment, confidently paced, although its necessary subplots are little more than dutiful filler sandwiched between fight sequences.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Jul 28, 2025

3/5

As hokey as that sounds, "Real Steel" will catch you with a body blow of father-son emotion.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Mar 7, 2023

2.5/4

A tired old cast re-pressed and coated with a shiny new layer of wax.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Jul 9, 2022

Distill 'Rocky' and 'The Champ,' add a dash of The Rumble in the Jungle, shake well and serve in larger-than-life rock ’em sock ’em robots. That’s basically what you get with 'Real Steel'...

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Ryan A T

@RT07913989 6 days ago

Absolutely amazing movie. MY FAVOURITE

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Nate S

@RT65246076 Oct 4, 2026

Two words: FIGHTING ROBOTS. Honestly I don't have too much else to say. Big fan of them.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 24, 2026

Real Steel = a 3.5 star Movie!

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Christian D

@Vosten Sep 5, 2026

God I love this movie

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August T

@RT84623723 Jul 26, 2026

It may not be the most original or ultra-deep plot, but it is incredibly well directed, and the effects hold up almost 15 years later. 15! It tells a classic feel-good underdog story, which even though the critics didn't rate highly, became the people's champion. The fight scenes are kick-ass, and there isn't much more that needs to be said. 10/10, really too bad the sequel fell through. Praying Disney actually ends up releasing the Disney+ original which had been confirmed like 5 years ago but it's been crickets since 😭😭😭

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Andrew M

@Wamcubs Jul 17, 2026

Decent kids movie. I’ve watched it a few times just something on in the background.

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Shawn Levy

Director

Hugh Jackman

Charlie Kenton

Evangeline Lilly

Bailey Tallet

Dakota Goyo

Max

Anthony Mackie

Finn

Kevin Durand

Ricky

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Synopsis

Charlie Kenton used to be a prizefighter but lost his chance to win a title when heavy, towering robots took over the boxing ring. Now working as a small-time promoter, Charlie pieces together scrap metal into low-end fighters, barely earning enough to make it from one underground venue to the next. After hitting rock bottom, Charlie reluctantly teams with his estranged son, Max, to build and train a championship robot for a last shot at redemption.

Director: Shawn Levy
Producer: Don Murphy, Susan Montford, Shawn Levy
Screenwriter: John Gatins
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: DreamWorks, Montford Murphy, 21 Laps Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Intense Action|Brief Language|Some Violence)
Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 7, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $85.5M
Runtime: 2h 7m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital

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