Sucker Punch is a 2011 American psychological fantasy action film directed by Zack Snyder and co-written by Snyder and Steve Shibuya.
The film stars Emily Browning as "Babydoll", a young woman who is committed to a mental institution. As she collects items she needs to escape, she enters a series of fantasy worlds where she and her fellow inmates are strong, experienced warriors. Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Carla Gugino, and Oscar Isaac also star.
The film was released in both conventional and IMAX theatres in the United States on March 25, 2011. It received generally negative reviews and underperformed at the box office, grossing just $89.8 million against its $82 million production budget. The film was criticized for its lack of character development and plot, with many comparing it unfavorably to a video game.
Despite the negative reception, the film received some recognition for its visual effects. It was nominated for a Scream Award for Best F/X and its stunt work was nominated for a Taurus Award. The film was also pre-nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 28, 2011, and included an R-rated extended cut that added 18 minutes to the film. The bonus features included four animated shorts based on the four fantasy scenarios.
The film received a PG-13 rating, with some scenes cut to avoid an R rating. The film was passed with no additional cuts required in the United Kingdom, where it received a 12A certificate for "moderate violence, threat, language and sexual references".
Overall, Sucker Punch was a commercial and critical failure, but it has developed a cult following over the years.