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Superstar

Superstar

Dare to dream.

199981 minPG-13Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films
Director
Bruce McCulloch
Starring
Molly Shannon, Will Ferrell, Elaine Hendrix, Harland Williams

Orphan Mary Katherine Gallagher, an ugly duckling at St. Monica High School, has a dream: to be kissed soulfully. She decides she can realize this dream if she becomes a superstar, so her prayers, her fantasies and her conversations with her only friend focus on achieving super-stardom.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Superstar?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Superstar streaming on Pluto TV (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Superstar?

Superstar earns 7 badges, led by Breakout role and Before they were famous.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Superstar worth watching?

Superstar's Midcredits score is the 28th percentile of all films, from 54K ratings across 6 sources. 34% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

28th percentile

Better received than 28% of films

30th percentile among Comedy31st percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)29th
Approval (how many liked it)29th

55 /100

29th percentile of all films

31st percentile among Comedy31st percentile among 1990s

Critics 42 · Audience 56

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.6 — solid but not unanimous.

34% liked it

29th percentile of all films

30th percentile among Comedy31st percentile among 1990s
34% rated it 7–1066% rated it 1–6

Critics 33% · Audience 59%

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

Awards

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

88th percentile

54K ratings across platforms

87th percentile among Comedy83rd percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 11% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$34M
Opening weekend$8.9M
Domestic gross$31M
Worldwide gross$31M

Returned 0.9× its budget — 86th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Fans praised

  • Molly Shannon's committed physical comedy and endearing dorkiness
  • Will Ferrell's dual roles as Sky and Jesus add hilarious absurdity
  • Genuinely laugh-out-loud moments from tree-kissing to cafeteria dance

Detractors panned

  • One-joke SNL sketch stretched far beyond its thin premise
  • Predictable, formulaic underdog plot with no real surprises
  • Unfunny, repetitive gags and lowbrow slapstick that grow tiresome

What stands out

ActingDivisive70

Molly Shannon's energetic, committed lead performance; Will Ferrell's comic support praised even by detractors

HumorDivisive50

Polarizing: fans find it hilarious silly fun, detractors call it painfully unfunny

PacingDivisive50

Short runtime helps, but middle drags with padded sketch material

CharactersDivisive40

One-dimensional stereotypes; Mary Katherine is either endearing or annoying

Emotional impactDivisive40

Some fans find underdog story sweet and relatable; detractors see no heart

DialogueDivisive35

Quotable one-liners like 'drink a bottle of yourself' but mostly weak

OriginalityDivisive25

Derivative of countless teen comedies and recycled SNL bits

Plot and storyDivisive20

Thin, predictable underdog-talent-show formula stretched from a short sketch

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 22 points higher than men.

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

  • Under-30s vs over-30s even
  • Critics vs users 4 points apart
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is Superstar like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It is gentle and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want something with weight.

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

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
JoyfulAbsurdHopeful
Heaviest: late
Absurdist humor: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Register
Irreverent · 1% of filmsSatirical · 5% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its absurd premise with a straight-faced but irreverent tone, parodying Catholic school life and teen dreams.
The rideThe film is consistently light and silly, with moments of cringe and absurdity, building to a hopeful climax when the talent show decides Mary Katherine's fate.
StructureConventional beginning-middle-end structure with no temporal tricks or frame devices.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves a light, feel-good impression with its underdog story and silly humor.
How it ends · evidence
Happy 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

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeMary Katherine Gallagher, an awkward Catholic schoolgirl, enters a talent contest to achieve stardom, hoping to win a kiss from her crush. The story follows her comic rise from outcast to the spotlight.

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 filmsSelfSelf-worth
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% (this title) · 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%

Self

Self-worth · 7% of filmsAmbition · 7% of filmsRomantic love · 15% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeMary Katherine's quest for a kiss and fame is really about proving her own value and being seen as worthy by others.
StanceThe film celebrates the idea that being yourself and pursuing your dreams can lead to love and validation, despite its comedic parody of the pursuit of fame.

The world

ContemporarySuburbanInstitutionalStylized realism
Orchestral modernPopSupportive music · original score · Michael Gore
SettingA Catholic high school in a small American town, where a talent show offers a shot at movie stardom.
MusicMichael Gore's score supports the film's comedic and aspirational tone without dominating.

Content guide

Is Superstar okay for kids?

PG-13

Superstar is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for sex-related humor and language” (MPAA). As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (17/100), sexual content at moderate (35/100), language at moderate (44/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (0/100) and frightening material at minimal (0/100). Its violence, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 9 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany6
  • France12
  • Ireland15
  • New ZealandM
  • Brazil14
  • Argentina13
  • Netherlands16
Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 63%
Profanity
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 56%
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (3 votes)

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

Too few votes to rank this title overall (50 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

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 Superstar have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Superstar?

Cast

Molly Shannon
as Mary Katherine Gallagher
Breakout: Their highest-reaching film role at the time, and they went on to a career at least 3 times their standing then.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Will Ferrell
as Sky Corrigan
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Elaine Hendrix
as Evian
Harland Williams
as Slater
Mark McKinney
as Father Ritley
Glynis Johns
as Grandma
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jason Blicker
as Howard
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Gerry Bamman
as Father John
Emmy Laybourne
as Helen
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Jennifer Irwin
as Maria
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Superstar?

Movies like Superstar include Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006), Stealing Harvard (2002) and Hot Rod (2007). Of the 12 closest matches, most are films about self-worth, and most are films that feel absurdist.

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

10 of these 12 share its story type: underdog. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Superstar?

972 other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: unrequited love. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.