Movie · 2007 · Science Fiction, Adventure, Action · 1h 32m · PG · English
Curator score: 0.7/10 (719.7K ratings)
Discover the secret of the Surfer.
Overview
The Fantastic Four return to the big screen as a new and all powerful enemy threatens the Earth. The seemingly unstoppable 'Silver Surfer', but all is not what it seems and there are old and new enemies that pose a greater threat than the intrepid superheroes realize.
Ratings
Curator score: 0.7/10
IMDb: 5.6/10
Letterboxd: 2.47/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 38%
Metacritic: 45
TMDB: 5.6/10
Director
Tim Story
Production
1492 Pictures, Bernd Eichinger Productions, 20th Century Fox, Constantin Film, Marvel Studios, Ingenious Film Partners
Cast
Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, Julian McMahon, Laurence Fishburne, Doug Jones, Kerry Washington, Andre Braugher, Beau Garrett, Brian Posehn, Zach Grenier, Kenneth Welsh, Kevin McNulty, Andy Stahl, Debbie Timuss, Moneca Delain, Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe, Vanessa Lachey, Stan Lee
Where to watch
Disney Plus, fuboTV
Curator Review
Verdict
A breezy, often silly superhero sequel with a surprisingly strong Silver Surfer presence and a short runtime that keeps it moving. It’s uneven and corny, but if you’re open to glossy early-2000s comic-book cheese, there’s enough charm and visual flair to make it worthwhile.
Best for
fans of lightweight superhero movies
viewers who enjoy campy comic-book tone
people curious about the Silver Surfer
audiences who prefer fast, under-100-minute blockbusters
Skip if
you want serious or emotionally rich superhero storytelling
you’re allergic to dated CGI and mid-2000s studio polish
you need a villain with real depth and payoff
you dislike corny humor and broad performances
Overview
Rise of the Silver Surfer is the rare sequel that feels more confident in its spectacle than in its plotting. The movie leans into a glossy, Saturday-morning-comic energy, and the Silver Surfer gives it a sleek, melancholy center that the rest of the film can’t quite match. When it works, it’s because the movie knows how to be silly without fully apologizing for it.
Worth noting
The ensemble remains uneven, but the cast has enough chemistry to keep things moving, and the film’s brisk pace helps it dodge some of the drag that sinks many superhero sequels. The action is serviceable rather than memorable, yet the design of the Surfer and the movie’s cosmic scale give it a stronger identity than the first installment.
Bottom line
It’s not a great superhero film, but it is an amiably ridiculous one. If you’re in the mood for a lighter, more disposable comic-book adventure with a few unexpectedly cool ideas, this sequel lands better than its reputation suggests.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Iman Vellani (2★) · 4085 likes
Don’t be shy, show galactus
Pablo Honey ✨ ₊˚ ☾. ⋅ 💫🌌 (4★) · 3418 likes
Silver Surfer: I came to destroy your planet. 😡
Sue Storm: Please don't do this. 🥺
Silver Surfer: Okay. 🥺❤️
alor (3.5★) · 2087 likes
okay, hear me out.. this movie actually kinda slaps.
yazz! *･ﾟ✧ (2.5★) · 1945 likes
the silver surfer is so attractive to me… probably bc he’s a man who hardly speaks
James (Schaffrillas) (2.5★) · 1839 likes
In Victor's defense, it is really tough deciding between preventing the apocalypse and getting a cool surfboard
2004 · Action, Adventure, Science Fiction · 2h 7m · PG-13 · Curator 8.2/10 (2.8M ratings) · Where to watch: Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, fuboTV, Netflix Standard with Ads
A polished early-2000s superhero sequel that balances spectacle, character conflict, and comic-book sincerity better than most of its peers.