Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalIMDb TIFF Portrait StudioHispanic Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
Smallville
S1.E1
All episodesAll
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Pilot

  • Episode aired Oct 16, 2001
  • TV-PG
  • 50m
IMDb RATING
8.3/10
3K
YOUR RATING
Tom Welling and Adrian Glynn McMorran in Smallville (2001)
SuperheroActionAdventureDramaSci-Fi

Baby Clark (Kal-El) arrives on Earth. Teen Clark starts high school, saves Lex's life after a car accident, and finds out about his past and birth parents.Baby Clark (Kal-El) arrives on Earth. Teen Clark starts high school, saves Lex's life after a car accident, and finds out about his past and birth parents.Baby Clark (Kal-El) arrives on Earth. Teen Clark starts high school, saves Lex's life after a car accident, and finds out about his past and birth parents.

  • Director
    • David Nutter
  • Writers
    • Jerry Siegel
    • Joe Shuster
    • Alfred Gough
  • Stars
    • Tom Welling
    • Kristin Kreuk
    • Michael Rosenbaum
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.3/10
    3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • David Nutter
    • Writers
      • Jerry Siegel
      • Joe Shuster
      • Alfred Gough
    • Stars
      • Tom Welling
      • Kristin Kreuk
      • Michael Rosenbaum
    • 17User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos47

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 42
    View Poster

    Top cast24

    Edit
    Tom Welling
    Tom Welling
    • Clark Kent
    Kristin Kreuk
    Kristin Kreuk
    • Lana Lang
    Michael Rosenbaum
    Michael Rosenbaum
    • Lex Luthor
    Eric Johnson
    Eric Johnson
    • Whitney Fordman
    Sam Jones III
    Sam Jones III
    • Pete Ross
    Allison Mack
    Allison Mack
    • Chloe Sullivan
    Annette O'Toole
    Annette O'Toole
    • Martha Kent
    John Schneider
    John Schneider
    • Jonathan Kent
    John Glover
    John Glover
    • Lionel Luthor
    Sarah-Jane Redmond
    Sarah-Jane Redmond
    • Nell Potter
    • (as Sarah Jane Redmond)
    Adrian Glynn McMorran
    Adrian Glynn McMorran
    • Jeremy Creek
    • (as Adrian McMorran)
    Jade Unterman
    • Young Lana Lang
    Malkolm Alburquenque
    • Young Clark Kent
    Matthew Munn
    • Young Lex Luthor
    Dee Jay Jackson
    • Bill Ross
    Alvin Sanders
    Alvin Sanders
    • Dale Ross
    Steve Bacic
    Steve Bacic
    • Frank the Garage Worker
    Justin Chatwin
    Justin Chatwin
    • Teen Jostled by Whitney
    • Director
      • David Nutter
    • Writers
      • Jerry Siegel
      • Joe Shuster
      • Alfred Gough
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews17

    8.32.9K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    CharlottaG

    The start of something great

    I remember watching this a couple of years back when I got home from school, but my young age restricted my from seeing this show from the beginning. So I got sick, had all the time in the world and figured I'd give it a shot, from the beginning.

    Even though I already have a love for the show based, on nostalgia, I was taken aback by how good this actually is. And even more so considering this was made 15 (FIFTEEN) years ago. Yes, sure, the effects and everything isn't something to hooray for, but they're good enough not to take any value from the show as a whole. Tom Welling really is the perfect guy to play Clark Kent and the rest of the cast are doing a pretty darn good job too.

    This episode is a really good pilot and shows just how you get people to like and want more of something. It makes a good recap of who this mysterious boy is, but leaves enough questions for the person watching to want more. It also gives a taste of how the episodes are gonna be like (I know this since I've watched quite a few of them before I watched the pilot).

    To summarize; this really does it's job as a pilot and shows what to expect. It sets the vibe, shows what the actors are capable of and gives you an urge to find out more.

    If you haven't watched Smallville, where have you been? Go watch it! And if you already have, re-watch some (or all idk), it's worth it!
    10A_Different_Drummer

    Pretty much perfection for a pilot

    Do you recall the joke about the two guys being chased by a bear, and as they run, one guy says to the other, I don't think you're fast enough to outrun the bear. To which the other fellow answers, I don't have to, I just have to outrun YOU.

    We already know from Hollywood history that Miller and Gough cut their teeth on this series, became film legends, ran it for 10 years (wow!) and went on to do other work.

    But what often gets overlooked is that, when this aired, no one asked what the true "competition" to this pilot was or would be? I suggest to you, as reviewer who has watched all things "Superman" from the 1950s to the present, that this pilot was directly or indirectly competing with all the Superman TV shows and movies already done -- or even to be done in the future.

    And beat them all.

    Meaning that, as a proper viewer, when you watch this, you are comparing it to everything from the 1950s kids TV show, to the Chris Reeves movies, to the more recent (and often very strange) re-imaginings of the DC library (including among others, Superman Returns, and Superman Vs Batman.) And in my view, this is the best of the bunch!

    In beautiful color we get to see Superman arrive, start his crush on Lana, began a dysfunctional relationship with Lex, and generally have a super time ... it does not get any better than this!

    Now, it may be that I have some issues with the direction the show took toward the end of its run. (Notice how bright and sunny Smallville is in this pilot? By Season 5 or so, it looks like the sun has completely disappeared from Kansas which, I suspect, is more a reflection of the very dark turn the story arcs took than a simple meteorological issue.)

    But let's not get ahead of our ourselves. As a possible candidate for the best Superman "origin" story ever done, I suggest this is a masterpiece. One that will stand the test of time.
    9igoatabase

    Top notch visual effects, empathic characters and convincing performers, inspiring and captivating odyssey, cult and nostalgic moments

    Smallville's cult pilot was nearly first aired a decade ago. But seven years have actually passed since last time I watched it. Season nine was so great that I wanted to compare it with the first one. My decision was probably driven by nostalgia but there's nothing wrong with that as long as it doesn't prevent you from moving forward, to the future, and fully living the present. However let's go back to the past and enjoy the first steps of Clark Kent in the super adventure we all know.

    The first thing that really astonished me were the top notch visual effects. I better understand now why they often exceeded the budget during season one. But for a pilot it's logical as you have to convince the audience. So from the meteor shower to the special abilities I can't see how you could be disappointed. But the real gem for the long time fans are the characters. Little Big Chloe and her wall of weird, fast slim Clark, Lana and her hate at first sight boyfriend, and of course Clark's parents. The first two have grown so much on us in the last past years that it was both funny and touching to see how they used to be. Chloe was less serious and Allison Mack's acting was already irresistible. I can't believe she'll only be a guest in the upcoming season ! As for Tom Welling he looked almost skinny compared to his actual upgraded version and I can't imagine how much he worked out to become as strong as he is. But his relative apparent weakness was part of his character and I suppose that's why he was cast. In a way I like to think that it could have been anyone because thanks to episodes like Idol, Charade and Hostage we learned that we can all become heroes. It's just a matter of harvesting our inner resources and believing in ourselves. But of course having great friends help and that's why Clark's odyssey is so inspiring to follow !

    The relationships are also very important, like in real life, because our baby superhero would be nothing without Chloe or his parents. But the most important character in his life, at least in the pilot, was probably his father. John Schneider was excellent as Jonathan and instantly appeared as the dream father. Their scenes were so diverse and well scripted that you should feel all kind of emotions, from joy to frustration. Indeed it would be too easy if we could do everything we wants and that gold rule also applies to Clark. That's why it's so easy to relate to him, because he's like most teenagers in the end. He wants to make a difference and become who he is. And achieving such goals would be pointless without obstacles and this episode was also the occasion to meet the first freak of the week, a recipe applied to the further episodes in the first seasons. But of course it was nothing compared to his first encounter with Lex Luthor. I never thought Michael Rosenbaum first screen time would have such a high impact on me. He had so much charisma and confidence ! His few interactions with Clark were also mesmerizing considering the intense scenes they were featured in. Even the fence fight was surprising and instantly made their new friendship controversial.

    Of course it's impossible to be objective with so many cult elements. But it didn't prevent me from being slightly disappointed by a few of them. For example Annette O'Toole minor role reminded me how much I think Martha Kent could have played a more important part in her son's education. However no parents are perfect and their relationship is always on the verge of turning left or right. So as often it's a question of equilibrium and in the pilot it's obvious who is in charge. But later on the writers will balance their respective roles so it wasn't that an issue after all. Moreover it can't shadow the fact that the story should even appeal to new comers. How can't you not fall in love with Lana Lang ? Kristin Kreuk was so cute and your immersion should be so total that there's no way you can't appreciate the creepy cemetery scene or the last dance one.

    But in the end the best part is that waking up from that surreal dream is not harsh at all because Clark and his friends should definitely inspire you. If you pay attention it could even make you a better person. They have issues but aren't afraid to solve them. They have weaknesses but know it shouldn't prevent them from living. But you better keep your feet on the ground and carefully look at the stars because the meteors shower is coming in your direction and there's no way you can escape its tremendous power. So be a shortcut freak and watch Smallville now !
    10WCHN71

    The begining of an epic journey

    Im rewatching this show and its an unbelivable good story maybe one of the best hero stories of our time, its not darkish and depressing like the new Man of Steel but more heartwarm and feelgood.

    The pilot is absolutly a briliant start to the show with great acting and lots of funny moments. If you dicide to pick up on this show for the first time, you wont regret it, and you will be in for a ride 😀
    9gab-14712

    The Beginning of Superman...I Am Hooked!

    The beginnings of Superman! As soon as "saaaaaaavvvvvveeee meeeeeee" was bellowed during the opening credits as the theme song, I was instantly hooked. For a show that came out in 2001 with lots of fanfare, I was very impressed with how well the first season held up. It has been known the series would often go over budget, but we are telling the story of future Superman after all. The visual effects are top-notch and the meteor shower where young Kal-El comes to Earth seemed very real. Instead of being a serious superhero drama, the show is about teenage angst and small-town drama. It is like a coming-of-age film/series but with more special effects and a superhero background. At least for the first season, the show will combine these elements along with a villain-of-the week story. Just bring me everything you got, Smallville!

    In this pilot episode, we learn the origins of Clark Kent aka Kal-El. It is 1989, and Smallville has been bombarded with meteors. Martha (Annette O'Toole) and Jonathan Kent (John Schneider) crashed their car into a cornfield during the storm and are founded by young Clark. They find his spacecraft and adopt him. We flash forward to more than a decade later when Clark (Tom Welling) is in high school. He has a crush on the cute Lana Lang (Kristen Kreuk) who is the cheerleader girlfriend of popular jock Whitney Fordman (Eric Johnson). He has two very good friends; the young journalist with her Wall-of-Weird Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) and his good buddy Pete Ross (Sam Jones III). He later meets the future villain, Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) when Clark saves him from a car accident, and they become fast friends. Lex resides in Smallville where he runs a fertilizer company but is overseen by his billionaire father, Lionel (John Glover) who lives in nearby Metropolis. As the story advances, Jonathan tells Clark about his origins and discovers that he is "allergic" to a green rock called Kryptonite, the same green rock that Lana wears around her neck in remembrance of her parents whom died during the meteor shower. When Clark becomes weakened by the kryptonite, the jealous Whitney beats him up. This all leads to a confrontation with an electric man who received his powers from the rock.

    The performances are all fantastic. I loved the family dynamics between Clark, Jonathan, and Martha. Same with Clark and his friends. With Chloe the journalistic snoop she is, I am not convinced Clark will keep his secret from her. Also, we get to see Lex before he turns villainous. It is a good idea to have Clark and Lex as good friends before they become the bitter enemies that we all know and love. Michael Rosenbaum is a great Lex Luthor and I love John Glover's turn as Lex's megalomaniac father even more.

    Overall, I became hooked with Smallville right away. It is a straightforward pilot episode with great performances, a captivating story, and visual effects that seem realistic (great for a 2001 television show). It is not just a superhero story, but a series that tackle issues any teenager could relate to. I am very interested to join Clark on his adventures as he becomes the world's greatest superhero in the future.

    My Grade: A.

    Related interests

    Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, and Chris Hemsworth
    Superhero
    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    Still frame
    Adventure
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This episode broke The WB's record for number of viewers for a debut series.
    • Goofs
      Lana rides up to the cemetery on a horse but later walks home with Clark, leaving the horse behind. However, the cut is actually directly from the cemetery to a scene showing Clark and Lana walking towards Lana's house from the stables. Obviously they walked to the stables, with the horse, and left it there.
    • Quotes

      Jonathan Kent: Are you okay?

      Clark Kent: Can I answer that in about five years?

      Jonathan Kent: Yeah.

      Clark Kent: Dad I'm glad you and mom are the ones that found me.

      Jonathan Kent: We didn't find you, Clark, you found us.

    • Alternate versions
      Scenes deleted from the Pilot which can be viewed on the Season 1 DVD include:
      • When Young Lex Luthor is first introduced in the helicopter, his father Lionel Luthor tells him he won't tell the pilot to land the copter until Lex looks out of the window, which he does only to start panicking and uses his inhale.
      • There is a scene in which Pete Ross's father, Bill Ross, and uncle, Dale Ross, have a debate on Lionel Luthor's intention for buying the factory from them as they don't know why the "pesticide king of Metropolis" would be interested in a creamed corn plant.
      • After they first arrive at school, Clark Kent, Pete Ross, and Chloe Sullivan watch as Whitney Fordman and two other jocks park their trucks (the same ones that Clark piles up at the end of the episode), Chloe refers to them as the "3 ass-keteers".
      • Principle Kwan sees Jeremy Creek break into the trophy case. When Kwan, who mistakes Jeremy for a current student at the school, orders him into his office, Jeremy throws Kwan into a display case behind him.
      • Gabe Sullivan tells some factory workers to be on the lookout for Lex Luthor, referring to him as "Daddy's little boy", unaware that Lex is behind him. Gabe starts to worry because the plant isn't returning much profit, but Lex assures him that he isn't going to fire any employees at the fertilizer plant.
      • Pete Ross and Chloe Sullivan are waiting for Clark Kent to show up at the dance. They decide to dance together, but only as friends (even though it's obvious in the scene that Chloe likes Clark and Pete likes Chloe).
    • Connections
      Featured in Superman: The Early Years (Behind the Scenes of Smallville) (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      Everything
      (uncredited)

      Written by Jason Wade

      Performed by Lifehouse

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 16, 2001 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • The WB (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Tollin/Robbins Productions
      • Millar Gough Ink
      • Warner Bros. Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 50m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.