Billy Zane, Kristy Swanson, Treat Williams

This plain-vanilla version of the old Lee Falk comic strip stars Billy Zane as a 1930s incarnation of the Phantom, an African-based, masked hero whose forefathers have all donned the costume at one ti...( read more  read more... )me or another. Sworn to crush evil, the Phantom leaves his jungle lair to venture to New York, where he takes on a charming but criminal mastermind (Treat Williams). There's no oomph to this film at all. The very capable director Simon Wincer (Phar Lap) seems to be working with a leaden production and an inferior talent pool behind the camera. The talent in front of the camera do their best, but it isn't enough. --Tom Keogh

Flixster Users

32% liked it

39,298 ratings

Critics

42% liked it

36 critics

PG, 100 min.

Directed by: Simon Wincer

Release Date: June 7, 1996

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DVD Release Date: May 25, 1999

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Stats: 1,288 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,288)


  • September 29, 2009
    Quill: I've killed the Phantom.
    The Great Kabai Sengh: Join the club. We've all killed him over the years. He keeps coming back.

    The original costumed superhero, the Phantom, has no powers and is based mostly around myth. In this film, Billy Zane stars as said character, and...( read more) does exactly what is needed to make it work. The film works as a great B-movie, with fun action, good production values. The film is basically a superhero movie set in the world of Indiana Jones, and I like it.

    The Great Kabai Sengh: I know your secret, Phantom.
    The Phantom: Take it to your grave, Kabai Sengh.
  • September 28, 2009
    Rubbish. I thought Billy Zane would make a really good superhero, I was wrong!
  • May 14, 2009
    man in a silly pink costume goes after bad guys and catherine zeta jones is in it too. she happens to have a conscience trip half way through. i watch some shit!
  • May 9, 2009
    Not a terrible film but its pretty much Indiana Jones in purple tights battling evil doers at around the same kind of time period. As said thats fine, its a good boys own, Tarzan type, adventure story that you can just sit back and watch, nothing special, nothing too violent, its...( read more) a typical old style superhero flick based on an old creation and made like an old cinema filler for young boys on a Saturday afternoon.
    Very much like 'The Mummy' franchise, plenty of cheese and fisticuffs.
  • July 14, 2008
    Hell Yea I like Purple spandex wearing white-horse mounting superheros that in reality looks like a sadomasochistic pornstar.
  • November 17, 2009
    Loved it as a kid. I thought that Zane was the master, but now my eyes have been opened. Pretty hoaky.
  • November 13, 2009
    There´s a old jungle saying:Never point a gun at someone because it may go off-The Phantom

    ...( read more)v style="text-align:center;font-size:10px;">Flixster - Share Movies

    Director:Simon Wincer
    Cast:Billy Zane,Kristen Swanson,Treat Williams,Catherine Zeta-Jones
    Genre:Action,Adventure,Comic Book Adaptation
    Year of release:1996
    Running Time:100 minutes

    Plot:
    This plain-vanilla version of the old Lee Falk comic strip stars Billy Zane as a 1930s incarnation of the Phantom, an African-based, masked hero whose forefathers have all donned the costume at one time or another. Sworn to crush evil, the Phantom leaves his jungle lair to venture to New York, where he takes on a charming but criminal mastermind.

    Review:soon...
  • October 18, 2009
    wow umn just seen this movie 4 the 1st time n think that this is a good movie 2 watch....its got a good cast of actors/actressess throughout this movie....i think that billy zane, kirsty swanson, treat williams, catherine zeta-jones, james remar play good roles/parts throughout t...( read more)his movie....i think that the director of this fantasy/action/adventure/thriller movie had done a good job of directing this movie because you never know what 2 expect throughout this movie....i think that this is a good movie 2 watch i think that the fight scenes throughout this movie were pretty kewl
  • October 12, 2009
    Am not too crazy about this film.
  • October 12, 2009
    Not horrible at all, but basic and simplistic.

Critic Reviews


June 6, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Expect this ghost of bad movies past to walk quickly to the back bins of Blockbuster, where it should be filed under a helpful heading, monotonous and juvenile. full review

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The Phantom is one of the best-looking movies in any genre Ihave ever seen. full review

January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

A lightweight action adventure, derivative in its look and approach. It's strictly for kids, but it's possible to appreciate the picture for what it is. full review

View more The Phantom reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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The Phantom Trivia


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