Skip to content
MovieCove
Real Steel

Real Steel

Courage is stronger than steel.

2011127 minPG-13Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films
Director
Shawn Levy
Starring
Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, Evangeline Lilly, Kevin Durand

Charlie Kenton is a washed-up fighter who retired from the ring when robots took over the sport. After his robot is trashed, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son to rebuild and train an unlikely contender.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Real Steel?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Real Steel to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Real Steel?

Real Steel earns 10 badges, led by Cultural touchstone and Top 10% in Action.

Show 2 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Real Steel worth watching?

Real Steel's Midcredits score is the 84th percentile of all films, from 817K ratings across 6 sources. 74% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

84th percentile

Better received than 84% of films

91st percentile among Action84th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)81st
Approval (how many liked it)84th

70 /100

81st percentile of all films

90th percentile among Action80th percentile among 2010s

Critics 56 · Audience 71

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.3 — solid but not unanimous.

74% liked it

84th percentile of all films

89th percentile among Action84th percentile among 2010s
74% rated it 7–1026% rated it 1–6

Critics 60% · Audience 73%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 1 Oscar noms · 2 wins / 6 noms overall

  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Visual Effects

99th percentile

816K ratings across platforms

98th percentile among Action99th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 38% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$110M
Opening weekend$27M
Domestic gross$85M
Worldwide gross$299M

Returned 2.7× its budget — 94th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A formulaic, derivative underdog sports drama elevated by charismatic lead performances and impressive robot-fighting spectacle.

Fans praised

  • Spectacular robot fight sequences enhanced by top-notch CGI and motion-capture
  • Genuine father-son emotional arc anchored by Hugh Jackman and Dakota Goyo's chemistry
  • Uplifting underdog story that feels like a crowd-pleasing family adventure

Detractors panned

  • Predictable, cliché-ridden script that shamelessly copies Rocky and other underdog formulas
  • Annoying, unrealistic child character whose precociousness derails believability
  • Saccharine sentimentality and heavy product placement that undercut the premise

What stands out

Effects and spectacleDivisive85

Seamless CGI and animatronics; fight choreography rivals human boxing movies

ActingDivisive75

Jackman's charisma anchors the film; Goyo steals scenes but polarizes

Emotional impactDivisive65

Father-son bonding hits the target for families; detractors find it manipulative

PacingDivisive65

Brisk first half, mid-section montages lose steam for some

CharactersDivisive55

Stereotypical deadbeat-dad arc; child written as wise beyond years and annoying

Plot and storyDivisive40

Transparent Rocky riff with no narrative surprises

DialogueDivisive40

Cheesy one-liners and on-the-nose emotional speeches

Originality25

Derivative mashup of Rocky, Over the Top, and Transformers

Preferred by

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 10 points higher than US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men even
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 4 points apart
  • Critics vs users 3 points apart

Watch experience

What is Real Steel like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Fun ride: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want a fun ride.

It has a few laughs and leaves you hopeful.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Fun ride.

The answer rests on this: Moods
ThrillingHopeful
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
Adventurous · 11% of filmsWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its premise and emotional beats with earnest sincerity, never winking at its audience.
The rideThe film builds through training and fight sequences into a climactic, crowd-pleasing championship bout that carries the emotional weight of the father-son reconciliation.
StructureThe story unfolds linearly from Charlie's low point, through training with Atom, to the final championship fight.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

The answer rests on this: HopefulFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe film ends with the protagonists being recognized as the people's champion, leaving the viewer with a warm, uplifting feeling.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rags
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3% (this title): Underdog triumph 2% (this title) · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rags to riches: A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition. · Underdog triumph: Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).

3% of films fit this archetype

with Rebirth underneath

Why this archetypeA former boxer and his son discover a discarded sparring robot and rise through the ranks of robot boxing, culminating in a championship match against an unbeatable champion.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsSelf-worth · 7% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe story is about a father and son bonding through a shared passion for robot boxing, with both characters finding purpose and self-respect.
StanceThe film celebrates the parent-child bond and the redemptive power of fighting for someone else, with a dual focus on Charlie and Max's shared journey.

The world

Near futureUrbanRuralInstitutionalScience fiction
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score
SettingA near-future America where human boxing is replaced by robot boxing, from county fair to underground rings to the championship arena.

Content guide

Is Real Steel okay for kids?

PG-13

Real Steel is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for some violence, intense action and brief language” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (40/100), sexual content at mild (19/100), language at mild (33/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (16/100) and frightening material at moderate (40/100). Overall it is heavier than 15% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 25 other countries
  • UK12A
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • FranceTP
  • Ireland12
  • New ZealandM
  • South Korea12
  • Brazil10
  • Belgium12
  • CLTE+7
  • CzechiaU
  • Denmark11
  • FinlandK-16
  • GreeceΚ
  • Hungary12
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-13
  • MexicoB
  • Netherlands9
  • Norway15
  • Poland12
  • PortugalM/12
  • Russia18+
  • SK12
  • Sweden11
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 14% of all filmsHeavier than 15% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 39%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 27%
Profanity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 26%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 15%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 42%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is frightening material, heavier than 42% of PG-13-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Real Steel have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Real Steel?

Cast

1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Hugh Jackman
as Charlie Kenton
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Dakota Goyo
as Max Kenton
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Evangeline Lilly
as Bailey Tallet
Kevin Durand
as Ricky
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Anthony Mackie
as Finn
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Hope Davis
as Aunt Debra
James Rebhorn
as Marvin
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Karl Yune
as Tak Mashido
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Sophie Levy
as Big Sister
Tess Levy
as Little Sister

Crew

Directed by

Shawn Levy

Written by

John Gatins

Cinematography

Mauro Fiore

Edited by

Dean Zimmerman

Music by

Danny Elfman

Produced by

Shawn LevyDon MurphySusan Montford

More like this

What are movies like Real Steel?

Movies like Real Steel include Lost in Space (1998), Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) and Dreamer (2005). Of the 12 closest matches, half are stories about robots, and most are films set in the near future.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

6 of these 12 share its praise for effects. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Real Steel?

4.3K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: family adventure. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.