The Phantom

The Phantom (1996)

  • 43% of critics liked it
    (42 reviews)

  • 30% of users liked it
    (43,359 ratings)

The first superhero ever, created by Lee Falk in 1936, gets another shot at movie stardom 60 years after achieving fame in comics and serials. Billy Zane stars as Kit Walker, who discovers that he's the 21st in a line of purple-clad African superheroes known as "The Phantom" or, to… More

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PG,
Directed By
Genres
Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy
In Theaters
Jun 7, 1996 Wide
On DVD
May 25, 1999
Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

  • Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

    As the Phantom, Billy Zane, buff to the max, has a likable insouciance, but there's not much he can do to flesh out this relic.

  • Godfrey Cheshire, Variety

    While it hardly stands to vanquish the celluloid incarnations of Superman and Batman, this version of an older cartoon crusader's exploits does have a pleasingly astute sense of its place in the great scheme of things pulp.

  • Trevor Johnston, Time Out

    This belated, albeit decorative adaptation looks tamely second-hand.

  • 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.

  • Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

    It's nice to see some things done the old way.

Read all 20 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Jens S


    Very Indiana-Jones-esque adaptation of the classic comic adventures of the just and mysterious hero. While some parts reek of B-movies, others are genuinely fun, especially the set pieces in the beginning and end really work, as well as the landscapes and action sequences. Everything… More

  • Anthony L


    Aside from the bad script and the fact that the story doesn't really ever go anywhere, The Phantom wasn't all that bad. I thought Billy Zane was perfectly cast, as was Treat Williams. It was in essence a tribute to The Phantom series of 1943 starring Tom Tyler, doing all the… More

  • Luke B


    Slated upon its release in 1996, The Phantom has never been on the top of anyone's favourite superhero list. I remember the character from Defenders Of The Earth (Defenders), but that's about it. This film isn't spectacular, but like some other films I've watched… More

  • Phil H


    If you cross Indiana Jones with Tarzan and mix in some 'Goonies' type pirate tomfoolery then you pretty much have this fun cheesy boys own adventure. Actually if I think about it some more you could also throw in some camp Batman and Robin from the classic 60's series… More

  • Emily A


    Heeheehee, this movie is foolishness. This might be the simplest superhero movie I've ever seen. The only thing about The Phantom that's not lilac-scented and squeaky clean is the fact that he's got a skull on his ring. I'm still not clear exactly why it's the… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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