There have been numerous iterations of Superman over the years, both on the big screen and on television. For this list, though, we will be ranking all 11 of the live-action Superman films.
It's worth noting that movies featuring Superman for more than a scene or two will be featured, which includes both versions of Justice League as well as the Richard Donner cut of Superman II. The focus will be purely centered around Superman in the film and the film's overall quality. Now that the parameters are set . . . up, up, and away!
11. Justice League
In the theatrical version of Justice League, otherwise known as "Josstice League" among fans online due to Joss Whedon's controversial retooling of the film, did the famous superhero no justice.
The most noteworthy aspect regarding Superman in the film is the poorly CGI-ed mustache from the reshoots and the mish-mashed portrayal, though Henry Cavill does his best. When comparing Justice League to what came before tonally, not to mention the disjointed film itself, it is a train wreck. The less said about this version of the film, the better.
10. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
The subtitle should instead say, "The Quest for a Finished Film." This 1987 movie from Cannon Films was severely hampered by a slashed production budget just before filming and a slashed runtime during the test screening phase that cut out important plot elements, even if some were quite goofy. That led to many corners being cut, including unfinished effects and compromised set pieces. There's a reason why you see the same shot of Superman flying toward the camera throughout the film.
Superman IV would certainly rank higher on the list if WB Archives would restore and release the extended cut - trending online as #ReleaseTheFurieCut - as they did with the Blu-ray release of the three-hour TV version of Superman: The Movie.
All that aside, there are a few saving grace moments in here that make it worth a viewing. The scene of Clark visiting his family's farm is my favorite Clark Kent scene from the entire Reeve films. Margot Kidder and Gene Hackman also return to their iconic roles. Mariel Hemingway is a nice addition to the film, and it is always fun to see Jon Cryer in his younger years. I don't even despise Nuclear Man like most do. While my nostalgia for the film has never wavered, it's notable that this film killed the franchise on the big screen for nearly two decades.
9. Superman Returns
Sure, Superman Returns is technically a better-made film than others that rank higher on the list, but the flaws really bring this one down. Yes, there is a great scene early on where Superman saves a plane, and yes, John Ottman's musical score is a nice homage to the iconic John Williams soundtrack. Even the look and feel of Metropolis, especially the Daily Planet, has been praised by many.
But, Bryan Singer's film wastes a great cast, including Brandon Routh, in a movie that can't decide if it's a sequel to the Richard Donner films or if it's a modern version at the time of its release. The film is also held back by a subpar script, featuring a Superman returning to Earth after leaving humanity for years, essentially eavesdropping on Lois Lane and her fascinating son, and, ultimately, lifting a giant Kryptonite mountain into the sky. There is little action to be seen, which makes the runtime feel that much longer.
What stings even more is knowing what other versions of a Superman film died in the pre-production phase, the likes of Superman Lives featuring Nic Cage and Superman: Flyby written by J.J. Abrams. At least Routh got proper closure in the role on The CW's "Crisis" crossover episodes in a superior costume.
8. Superman III
If Superman IV had an interesting story that was done cheaply and rushed to the finish line, Superman III is on the other end of the spectrum. It has some of the most impressive stunts and effects of all the films. Christopher Reeve delivers his best look and portrayal of Superman, including the Clark Kent vs. Superman fight in the latter half of the film. We get to see Clark return to Smallville and reconnect with Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole) and meet her son, Ricky. Not to mention the freaky scene during the final act where Vera gets taken over by the machine. There are definitely some positives here.
The problem: everything else. Richard Pryor has nothing tangible to work with, as his storyline is campy yet not funny. The Lex Luthor fill-in, Ross Webster, does not live up to the previous antagonists. Brad, the former Smallville football star and ex-husband to Lana, is over-the-top as well, appearing unrealistic and incredibly unlikable. The story and the pacing are all over the place and simply don't work as one cohesive film, sending the franchise spiraling down into mediocre territory. Richard Lester might have saved Superman II, but he fumbled the ball with Superman III.
7. Superman (2025)
This one has me torn because there are aspects of the film that I adore, like David Corenswet as Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. Most of the cast are terrific in their roles (pun intended), but certain decisions from director James Gunn still don't sit well with some viewers, like yours truly.
While the decision to begin a fully-formed cinematic universe is not new, the idea of giving what happened previously very little backstory and jumping right into the middle of the action like you are picking up a random comic book and getting thrust into the middle of an existing world does not translate well to the big screen. That decision also affects the pacing of the film, which moves along at an incredible rate, but it's so fast to the point where important context is skipped over that is needed for understanding the film and the world. Of course, there is the Jor-El controversy and the fact that this Superman gets continually beaten up over the course of the film.
One can point out minor nitpicks as well, such as the film undercutting pivotal emotional moments with jokes, the look of the costume, and the title character feeling overshadowed in his own solo film, no matter how much people love and adore Krypto. There are plenty of positives to be hopeful for future films, but there are enough negatives that leave an unpleasant taste in your mouth. While Superman (2025) is an ambitious start to a brand new universe, it tries to run before it can walk and stumbles occasionally as a result.
6. Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut
This one is fascinating because it was released from the WB vault back in 2006 after the theatrical version came out a quarter of a century earlier. It features footage shot by Richard Donner while filming Superman: The Movie and Superman II concurrently. The new additions from this director's cut feature footage of Marlon Brando as Jor-El and a completely new opening that ties back directly to the first film. The tone has often been cited as less goofy and more in line with the first film. And who could ever have an issue with more scenes of Christopher Reeve as Superman?
What holds this version back is the assembly of how it was edited together after being removed from the material for so many years, the fly-around-the-world ending again since it was initially meant for Superman II but was instead used during the first film, and the missing material that was never shot due to Donner being fired before filming resumed to complete Superman II. That's why there is a scene with Clark and Lois that was from their audition. All in all, we should be happy this version of the film exists at all, even if it isn't perfect.
5. Zack Snyder's Justice League
Much has been said and debated about perhaps the most famous director's cut of all time. Born out of the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut fan movement after the disastrous theatrical version of Justice League, this four-hour epic took the time to explore each superhero's world and purpose, crafting what remains the ultimate DC movie experience. Big step up here from the previous entries on the list.
Superman's big return finally sees him become the Superman the audience had been waiting to see along the journey of the previous two films. The big change for Superman in this film is that is dons the black-and-chrome suit as opposed to his traditional red and blue one (with one minor exception), and no mustache issues here. The only reason this film is not ranked higher is due to the fact that Superman only appears in the final act, due to the nature of how the previous film concluded.
4. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
As fierce debate continues to rage online about this film and as more time passes, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice ages like a fine wine. The film serves as a sequel to Man of Steel and as a world-building prequel to a Justice League film. Full of surprising casting choices and even more surprising story choices, director Zack Snyder and screenwriter Chris Terrio deliver a Shakespearean-style superhero noir film that feels like the highest-budgeted independent film ever made. While the dark, serious tone has not resonated with most film critics and mainstream audiences since its release in March 2016, its staying power is evident in how it continually appears in conjecture on social media by both its detractors and its most loyal defenders.
Despite Batman v Superman being the best-made film on this list due to the incredible cast and crew, it only lands at number four for a few reasons. Superman clearly has a heavy, challenging arc in the film, as does the film itself, and makes it less rewatchable than others that rank above it on the list. Plus, although Superman's name is in the film's title, he is relegated to co-starring in the film with Ben Affleck's Batman and can feel somewhat overshadowed by Affleck's top-tier take on the Dark Knight and the character's introduction, not to mention Gal Gadot's impressive debut as Wonder Woman. Taking all that into account, Batman v Superman is still a massively underrated superhero film and worthy of making it onto the Superman version of Mount Rushmore.
3. Superman II
Even though the first of Christopher Reeve's Superman films has been rightfully respected as the movie to carve the path for superhero cinema, its sequel is no slouch either. It strikes the perfect balance between changing story aspects to differentiate itself while still keeping with what makes the first film so enduring. This time, Lex Luthor escapes from prison and teams up with three also recently escaped Kryptonians from the Phantom Zone, who share the same powers as Superman.
Though Lester has faced criticism for adding too much camp and levity to the film that hasn't aged well, it feels much less egregious than it does in Superman III. Additionally, one could argue that the scenes Lester re-shot to receive a full director's credit were superior to the scenes Donner had already shot, even if Donner planned to re-shoot some scenes anyway. In full, Superman II is an imperfectly fun, entertaining, and heartfelt blockbuster that delivers.
2. Superman: The Movie (1978)
To say this film has influenced filmmaking nearly 50 years later would be an understatement. From the casting of Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman to the masterful crew led by director Richard Donner, Superman: The Movie still soars. Of course, the movie wouldn't work without the game-changing performances from Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder. The cherry on top: the iconic theme and soundtrack from John Williams that is still being used in Superman media to this day.
While many claim this film to be the gold standard for all superhero movies, it remains on this list as a solid 1b option for not only an incredible Superman origin, but an incredible Superman film.
1. Man of Steel
This 2013 big-screen reimagining of the Superman mythology, starring Henry Cavill, tops the list. While criticized by some at the time for being the first large-scale creative departure from the Reeve films, it manages to breathe new life into the IP through visionary director Zack Snyder, executive producer Christopher Nolan, and screenwriter David S. Goyer.
Man of Steel also boasts the most impressive cast of any film on this list, including legends such as Kevin Costner, Russell Crowe, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Amy Adams, and Michael Shannon. The darker, more serious take on the material focuses on how our modern world would react to an alien walking among us. It's a science fiction movie with superhero groundwork.
Despite the polarizing reception from critics and general audiences, the film's perception has noticeably improved over time. Some story decisions are still hotly debated (the same can be said for its sequel), like how Superman ultimately defeats General Zod or Jonathan Kent's controversial response to his son about the consequences of saving people. While many critics have raged against these decisions and are wondering how these creative choices don't hurt the film like others on the list, the "controversial" moments are rooted in deep philosophical ideas that ultimately contribute unique insight into these existing Superman "rules" and knowing when and how to break them. Man of Steel is the best amalgamation of taking previous Superman lore and crafting something organically beautiful and timeless.