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Ranking of Superman movies from worst to best

Madoc Meredith August 19, 2024

Director James Gunn’s Superman feature film (formerly Superman: Legacy), starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, Rachel Brosnahan as his beloved reporter Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as the nefarious super-genius Lex Luthor, is nearing completion of filming that began last February and is aiming for a spectacular summer 2025 release.

In honor of this next cinematic treatment of the charismatic Kryptonian character first created by Joe Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1933 and debuting in Action Comics #1 in April 1938, we present a heroic ranking of the six standalone Superman films produced from 1978 to 2013.

This comprehensive examination and evaluation of Hollywood’s attraction to Kal-El and the three actors who slipped into the super suit faster than a bullet does not include any series, cartoons, cameos, or films in which Superman is part of an ensemble cast. If you want to read our thoughts on his crossover escapades, check out our DC movie rankings.

Ready? Straighten your cape, pull on your tights, and head to the boulevards of Metropolis with Space.com’s ranking of the six Superman movies!

6) Superman IV: The World on the Brink

Superman IV: The World on the Brink (1987) Official Trailer – Christopher Reeve Movie HD – YouTube

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Release date: July 24, 1987
Pour: Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Mark Pillow

The Cannon Group takes over from longtime Superman producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind with a tired “No Nukes” script that feels decidedly stale. It’s shocking to see what happens when Superman III’s $35 million production budget is cut in half. With only $17 million available for a fourth and final chapter starring Christopher Reeve, director Sidney J. Furie does his best with the limited resources and poor script at his disposal, and it’s extremely painful to see the subpar visual effects on the big screen.

It’s mildly amusing to see Gene Hackman once again as the evil Lex Luthor, creating a nuclear-powered clone of the Man of Steel called Nuclear Man (yes, Nuclear Man!), and the crazy action that ensues. Reeve, the consummate professional, delivers a respectable performance nearly a decade after he first donned the traditional blue and red costume. Not even the reappearance of Margot Kidder’s Lois Lane can revive the magic and save this rehashed stinker from derision.

5) Superman III

Superman III (1983) Official Trailer – Christopher Reeve Superhero Movie HD – YouTube

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Release date: 17 June 1983
Pour: Christopher Reeve, Richard Pryor, Robert Vaughn

Yes, that’s the one with the terrible score (except for Williams’ theme) and comedian Richard Pryor. It’s always been a real mystery why the writer, producers and director focused entirely on silly visual gags and downright slapstick in this third installment. Richard Lester is back to help out the unstable production, which goes off the rails early on. It might be worth rewatching, though, as AI is a hot topic these days and the plot of Superman taking on Pryor’s computer genius and an AI supercomputer feels pretty fresh for its time.

Lester’s madcap extravaganza feels like a mediocre TV movie, which has its moments where the project can compete with previous Hollywood siblings, but those little bright spots are few and far between. Add in a devious plan to control the weather by reprogramming weather satellites, and this unloved sequel becomes contemporary in a strange, if not cliched, way. Pryor deserves much better!

Despite its flaws, the existential junkyard battle between the dark Superman and Clark Kent is an absolute highlight. If you left out the stupid slapstick in this entry, it might have ranked half a notch higher.

4) Superman returns

Superman Returns (2006) Official Trailer #1 – Superhero Movie HD – YouTube

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Release date: 28 June 2006
Pour: Brandon Routh, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth

No one will doubt the genuine love of director Bryan Singer (X-Men, X2) for the iconic character Superman, but we can sum up this film in one succinct word… Boring. It moves as fast as molasses on a freezing winter’s day in Antarctica and everyone seems to be sleepwalking through their entrances.

Newcomer Brandon Routh does his best with the mediocre script, which involves Kevin Spacey’s Lex Luthor using stolen Krypton crystals to create a new continent. We dare you to watch this revived Superman offering without nodding off at some point during its 154 minutes. Singer never really finds the core of the film, and his glacial pacing and dogged focus on character issues rather than superhero action eventually become insurmountable. While Spacey’s Luthor breathes a modicum of laser-focused life into the work, Kate Bosworth’s Lois Lane is dull and forgettable.

It’s always amazing how the franchise’s cinematic history has relied too much on Lex Luthor and not featured other interesting villains like Brainiac, Darkseid, or Metallo. It’s been nearly two decades since the last Superman film graced the screen, and while it was an admirable effort, it simply lacked the creative spark needed to create a storm of interest.

Be sure to load up on caffeine if you’re up for the challenge of rewatching the film, as it’s still an ambitious and successful attempt to put Superman back in the spotlight.

3) Superman II

Superman II (1980) Official Trailer #1 – Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Superhero Movie – YouTube

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Release date: June 19, 1981
Pour: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman

This sequel built on the undeniable success of 1978’s Superman, and with the return of the entire original cast and creators, it was clear it was going to be a crowd-pleaser. It’s possible that fans are forgetting just how good the sequel is, and it stands proudly right next to the 1978 classic. One reason for this is that Superman: The Movie and Superman II were shot simultaneously to ensure a seamless transition. However, controversy arose when Donner was fired 75% of the way through filming Superman II, and the studio brought in Richard Lester to finish the film. Lester reshot key scenes and took a lighter, more cartoonish approach to Donner’s epic, grandiose take on the material.

The plot revolves around the trio of Kryptonian criminals (Zod, Ursa, Non) who were sentenced to prison by Jor-El in the Phantom Zone of the first Superman film and are accidentally freed by a nuclear explosion in space. Naturally, they head straight to planet Earth to seek revenge for Jor-El’s banishment (with Lex Luthor’s help) and bring his son Kal-El/Superman to his knees.

Fans curious about Donner’s vision can check out Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut, a remastered director’s edition that is superior to the theatrical version.

2) Man of Steel

Man of Steel – Official Trailer No. 2 (HD) – YouTube

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Release date: 14 June 2013
Pour: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon

We can already hear the grumbling from some critics, but this polarizing effort from polarizing director Zack Snyder is a spectacular blend of sound and fury, featuring one of the most captivating scores by acclaimed composer Hans Zimmer to accompany the stunning visual effects. It was intended to be the cornerstone of a new DCEU project, and grossed a record-breaking $670 million worldwide when it hit theaters in the summer of 2013.

Like Christopher Reeve before him, Henry Cavill was born to play Superman, and he has the buff physique, intelligence, sensitivity and intensity to pull off the role. The opening scenes of Krypton’s destruction are superbly staged, and Russell Crowe’s Jor-El is a triumph of quiet strength and a worthy opponent for Michael Shannon’s imposing General Zod.

Amy Adams’ Lois Lane is a bit “boring” in many scenes and her chemistry with Clark/Superman never quite clicks, but that’s a minor complaint in a rousing production that even throws in a grunge rock anthem from Soundgarden! Yes, Kevin Costner’s Pa Kent sacrificing his life to save Clark’s identity during a tornado still makes little sense, but as the ’80s metal band “Poison” sang, “Every rose has its thorns.”

1) Superman: The Movie

Superman (1978) Official Trailer Christopher Reeve Movie HD – YouTube

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Release date: 15 December 1978
Pour: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman

Let’s face it: Director Richard Donner’s classic film was truly the best, with a natural balance of romance, comedy and superhero action that still resonates today. The legendary Marlon Brando brings a steely dignity to the noble figure of Jor-El, Superman’s father, and his crazy $3.7 million for two weeks of acting was well spent for the producers and the studio.

Christopher Reeve, who tragically passed away in 2004 due to complications from a horse-riding accident, was never better as the muscular fighter for truth and justice and the nerdy, mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent. Margot Kidder’s Lois Lane has brilliant comedic timing and a touching romantic side that creates a natural emotionality. Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor seems to be having so much fun in every scene, and it was one of his favorite roles in a long and illustrious career.

Armed with a record-breaking $55 million budget and stunning production design by the industry’s finest craftsmen and visionaries, Superman: The Movie is a standout success that does justice to Siegel and Shuster’s comic book creation, grossing $300 million worldwide during its lucrative theatrical run.

And the amazing music is timeless! Oscar-winning composer John Williams follows up his old-school Star Wars score from last year with this majestic musical wonder that’s as grand as the caped title character.

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