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critics consensus

The script gives Billy Zane little to work with, and thus he plays the Phantom as a friendly but completely one-dimensional hero. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

A purple-costumed superhero (Billy Zane) tries to thwart a master criminal's (Treat Williams) acquisition of mystical skulls with legendary powers.
  • Rating:
    PG
  • Genre:
    action
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Simon Wincer
  • Producer:
    Robert Evans, Alan Ladd Jr.
  • Writer:
    Jeffrey Boam
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $17.3M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Paramount Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures, The Ladd Company
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, Stereo

Cast & Crew

Billy Zane
The Phantom, Kit Walker
Kristy Swanson
Diana Palmer
Treat Williams
Xander Drax
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Sala
James Remar
Quill
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
The Great Kabai Sengh
Casey Siemaszko
Morgan
Samantha Eggar
Lily Palmer
Patrick McGoohan
Phantom's Dad
Simon Wincer
Director
Robert Evans
Producer
Alan Ladd Jr.
Producer
Jeffrey Boam
Screenwriter
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Critic Reviews for The Phantom

All Critics (47) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (20) | Rotten (27)

View All Critic Reviews (47)

Audience Reviews for The Phantom

  • Oct 17, 2016
    Billy Zane is The Phantom in this campy and lighthearted superhero film. Based on a comic serial, a vigilante in the African jungle known as The Phantom tracks a group of mercenaries back to New York and learns of a tycoon's plot to reunite three magic skulls to gain ultimate power. Co-starring Kristy Swanson, Treat Williams, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, the cast is actually pretty impressive and does a good job at emulating the broad acting style of the old movie serials from the 30s & 40s. But the writing is really poor, with thinly drawn characters and a ridiculous plot. While there's some charm to The Phantom, ultimately it's a cheesy B-movie that doesn't work.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Aug 16, 2016
    The years have been kind to this film and hold up quite well. I originally jumped on the bandwagon of disliking the film but I now find it a guilty pleasure. The fight scenes and certain actors are cringe worthy but there is something to like here. Billy Zane is quite good, sadly the material wasn't better to give him a honest chance.
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Jan 07, 2013
    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 recently for the first time since their mid-90s releases, it's actually a nice change of pace from the current market. The Phantom has Billy Zane as the ghost that walks. A man who protects the deep dark jungles by riding a horse and brandishing pistols. See, he isn't your average hero. That's part of the quirky charm. It's more of an action adventure film than a superhero piece, but the practical effects and stunts are great to look at. The characters are all cheesy and fun, especially the likes of Remar and Zeta-Jones. It was like stepping back into a time machine before filmmakers had put all of their trust into computers. Will certainly need a viewer who can appreciate the camp and corny, but those that do should be highly rewarded.
    Luke B Super Reviewer
  • Aug 15, 2012
    This movies okay. Like a lot of the critics point out though, it is definitely an homage to the 30's pulp comic books, so be prepared for some super cheesy lines, and nothing remotely resembling the dark superheroes of the modern era.
    Mace R Super Reviewer
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