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Not even spandex and over-the-top musical numbers can save Xanadu from questionable acting, unimpressive effects, and a story unencumbered by logic. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Struggling artist Sonny Malone (Michael Beck) is trapped in a dull job painting album covers. He is instantly attracted to Kira (Olivia Newton-John), an anonymous woman randomly photographed in the background of one of his assignments, but no one is able to identify her. Visiting the auditorium where the cover was shot, Sonny finds the mysterious beauty, an ageless Greek muse, who encourages him to team up with old-fashioned Danny McGuire (Gene Kelly) to build a roller-skating disco.
  • Rating:
    PG
  • Genre:
    fantasy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Robert Greenwald
  • Producer:
    Lawrence Gordon
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Universal/Universal Int
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround

Cast & Crew

Olivia Newton-John
Kira
Gene Kelly
Danny McGuire
Michael Beck
Sonny Malone
James Sloyan
Simpson
Dimitra Arliss
Helen
Katie Hanley
Sandra
Fred McCarren
Richie
Ren Woods
Jo
Sandahl Bergman
Muse 1
Marilyn Tokuda
Muse 6
Robert Greenwald
Director
Lawrence Gordon
Producer
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Critic Reviews for Xanadu

All Critics (42) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (30)

  • "Xanadu" cannot possibly be described as a good movie, but it can be recommended to those who can tolerate large amounts of intravenous marzipan.

    April 1, 2019 | Full Review…

    Tom Shales

    Washington Post

  • This modern musical with tunes written by Where Are They Now pop band ELO falls flat on its face simply because the premise is so utterly ludicrous.

    April 1, 2019 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    William Thomas

    Empire Magazine

  • The acting is wooden, the direction and cinematography confused, the special effects largely out of place, the dramatic interest nonexistent.

    April 28, 2018 | Full Review…

    Jeff McLaughlin

    Boston Globe

  • Stupendously bad.

    March 26, 2009 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety

  • While the movie is every bit as garish and overly shellacked as the other bomb musicals of its era, at least this one looks like irresponsible amounts of money were thrown around.

    June 25, 2008 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Eric Henderson

    Slant Magazine

  • Conventional wisdom decrees that Xanadu is a horrible film. In a sense, conventional wisdom may be correct, but it ignores one key ingredient: viewed in the right frame of mind, this movie can be a lot of fun.

    June 10, 2008 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    James Berardinelli

    ReelViews
View All Critic Reviews (42)

Audience Reviews for Xanadu

  • Dec 08, 2015
    This horribly dated 1980 fantasy is such a trashy mess with no structure that it doesn't surprise me that the script was written during filming, and even if it has some (few) nice songs, it is shocking how they threw so much money into something that looks so tacky and cheap.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Oct 24, 2014
    Deliciously bad and campy. An absolute delight!
    Christian C Super Reviewer
  • Sep 06, 2010
    This movie is generally regarded as one of the worst movies ever, but it does have some good music, so I gave it one star.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
  • Sep 02, 2009
    An 80's film with Olivia Newton John after her performanse in Greese. Nothing special exept one good song.
    Arianeta L Super Reviewer
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