Xanadu

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Xanadu

PG,

1980,

1h 36m,

Fantasy

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Watchlist

Watchlist

33%

46 Reviews

Tomatometer

58%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

33%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

58%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

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.

Critics Consensus

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

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Tom Shales

Washington Post

Apr 1, 2019

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

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William Thomas

Empire Magazine

Apr 1, 2019

2/5

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.

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Jeff McLaughlin

Boston Globe

Apr 28, 2018

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

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 6, 2025

1/4

This ghastly achievement manages to trumpet the worst excesses of both the fading ’70s disco craze and the burgeoning ’80s New Wave scene.

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Frank J. Avella

The Contending

Aug 19, 2025

C+

What holds the film together is Newton-John’s charm and vivacity. She’s a natural onscreen... Playing a muse is not easy, and she manages to find the ethereal/human balance.

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Christopher Lloyd

The Film Yap

Nov 25, 2024

1.5/5

The much-pilloried roller disco musical went on to become a Broadway hit and cult classic, and upon further reconsideration... still deserves its reputation as an all-time dud.

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Apr 1, 2019

A unique combination of 40â(TM)s style musical + Gene Kelly + Olivia Newton-John + a wonderful soundtrack by ELO and you have a movie experience you will never forget with a really nice animation sequence by Don Bluth!

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Feb 21, 2019

A very fun campy movie to enjoy with your family.

Rey S

Feb 6, 2019

From the idea of a lonely artist's entertainment, this film rocks. As a dancer, singer or even film mkaer it is a lot of fun especially if you take into consideration the entire late 70's and early 80's into scope while watching what they were piecing together. It is great, it is La La Land for 1980 but we now can look back at the fashion, film techniques and other moments like famous older actors Gene Kelly obviously. This would be grande if someone took up this project and modernized the effects, added a little more character development and made some deeper light and lens choices. It wouldn't be anything less than a refinement for an amazing piece. I think Taylor Swift or Jennifer Lawrence would be great, but my first choice would probably be Gaga as Kira. Imagine that! Olivia Newton John is a dream with her positive nature in this. She really is a true muse, this is the dreams of film making, exiting stage acting going into flash and effects of the 80s and beyond.

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Ron S

Nov 9, 2018

Xanadu is why we go to movies. Music is great..ONJ, ELO, and Gene Kelly are wonderful! The dialog isn't Shakespeare - but it doesn't pretend to be. So relax and enjoy the Magic!

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Abraham P

Sep 29, 2018

Honestly have no idea what I just watched other than it's a pretty corny 80's roller disco musical. Felt more like a music video than a musical really. With the title of this movie I thought it was going to take place in some fantasy world with elves and wizards or something, but it's just the name of the nightclub at the end. Olivia Newton-John is fine to look at that much is for sure.

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Aug 9, 2018

Great 80's musical. ONJ fantastic, very beautiful with a great voice.

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Robert Greenwald

Director

Olivia Newton-John

Kira

Gene Kelly

Danny McGuire

Michael Beck

Sonny Malone

James Sloyan

Simpson

Dimitra Arliss

Helen

Xanadu: Official Clip - All Over the World

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Xanadu: Official Clip - Don't Walk Away

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Xanadu: Official Clip - Dancin'

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Xanadu: Official Clip - Suddenly

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Xanadu: Official Clip - Fool Country & Xanadu Reprise

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Xanadu: Official Clip - Suspended in Time

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Xanadu: Official Clip - Whenever You're With Me

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Synopsis

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.

Director: Robert Greenwald
Producer: Lawrence Gordon
Screenwriter: Richard Christian Danus
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal/Universal Int
Rating: PG
Genre: Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 8, 1980, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 18, 2014
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Surround

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