Ranking the Superman movies from worst to best

As a brand-new Superman film soars onto theater screens, let’s take a look at our ranking, from least favorite to top pick, of all the movies featuring the Man of Steel.

The first major superhero film featured Superman as its protagonist, and the partnership between director Richard Donner and actor Christopher Reeve significantly transformed Hollywood for all time.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but express my excitement over how that movie turned out to be a massive hit at the box office, demonstrating that comic book narratives aren’t just for kids, but adults too! It even led to three subsequent films, each offering a unique flavor. Later on, the character made a comeback in Bryan Singer’s softer reboot of the franchise. Unfortunately, things took an unexpected turn when the Snyderverse was unveiled, only to collapse dramatically.

This leads us to James Gunn’s latest interpretation of the character, marking a fresh start for the new DC Universe. You can check its performance on Rotten Tomatoes by following this link, or continue reading to discover where the film ranks in our Superman rankings……

8. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace

Release Date: July 24, 1987
Director: Sidney J. Furie
Cast: Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Jackie Cooper
Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes

Superman aims to put an end to nuclear war permanently. To achieve this, he gathers all Earth’s missiles and flings them into the sun. However, the ensuing energy blast gives rise to a new adversary known as Nuclear Man.

Our Thought: Christopher Reeve deserved a better fate. Unfortunately, during the pre-production of Superman IV, The Cannon Group faced financial difficulties, causing a significant budget cut exceeding 50%. Consequently, the film lacks the polish it could have had and features an abysmal villain named Nuclear Man, whose portrayal is comical instead of menacing as intended.

7. Superman III

Release Date: June 17, 1983
Director: Richard Lester
Cast: Christopher Reeve, Richard Pryor, Jackie Cooper
Runtime: 2 hours 5 minutes

In the third installment of the initial series, Superman, the Man of Steel, confronts three adversaries – a morally questionable tech magnate, a lethal artificial intelligence, and an internal struggle as Clark Kent clashes with his malevolent alter ego, Evil Superman.

As a gamer, I’d rephrase it like this: In Part III, Superman grapples with a personal dilemma, and so does the film, as it often feels more like a Richard Pryor comedy than a superhero tale. However, there’s one scene that truly stands out – witnessing Superman brutally fight his own self in an astonishingly intense sequence. And let me tell you, the moment Vera Webster transforms into a robot at the end? Still gives me nightmares!

6. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Release Date: March 25, 2016
Director: Zack Snyder
Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams
Runtime: 2 hours 31 minutes

Main Point: As concern among the public swells over Superman’s unchecked might, Batman makes up his mind to take action, aiming to prevent supervillain Doomsday from causing chaos and endangering the entire world.

Our Thought: The title Batman v Superman implies a strong justification for these two iconic heroes to engage in a fight, yet Dawn of Justice failed to deliver on this expectation. This shortcoming could potentially be overlooked, but the resolution – “Martha” – is disappointingly weak and nonsensical, making the entire film an unsatisfying experience that feels dragged out and underdeveloped.

5. Superman Returns

Release Date: June 28, 2006
Director: Bryan Singer
Cast: Brandon Routh, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth
Runtime: 2 hours 34 minutes

In a Nutshell: Following a baffling five-year disappearance, Superman reappears in a transformed world. Lois Lane, no longer waiting for him, has moved on, while Lex Luthor exploits Kryptonian tech to seize territory illicitly.

Our Thought: Critics found Superman Returns to be overly reliant on past successes, with Bryan Singer repeatedly using John Williams’ score and Brandon Routh resembling Christopher Reeve too closely in both appearance and performance. However, this doesn’t diminish his portrayal as a strong Man of Steel. If judged independently, Returns can be appreciated as a decent Superman film that didn’t get the recognition it deserved.

4. Man of Steel

Release Date: June 14, 2013
Director: Zack Snyder
Cast: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon
Runtime: 2 hours 23 minutes

Main Topic: Amidst the destruction of his home planet Krypton, Kal-El is transported to Earth, where he grapples with acceptance. However, the alienated extraterrestrial eventually discovers his niche on our planet and confronts another Kryptonian when General Zod emerges, harboring ambitions for global conquest.

Our interpretation: Just like its previous films, Returns followed a familiar path, while Man of Steel marked a significant departure. Director Zack Snyder presented an introspective view of what it means to be a destructive force with a heartbeat. The action sequences are impressive and sometimes intense, but the film truly shines in its quieter moments as Kal-El explores his powers and his heritage.

3. Superman

Release Date: July 11, 2025
Director: James Gunn
Cast: David Corenswet, Rachel Brsonahan, Nicholas Hoult
Runtime: 2 hours 9 minutes

In a Nutshell: Superman resides among humans and metahumans on Earth, safeguarding the planet. However, his protective actions lead to confrontations with the malevolent tycoon Lex Luthor, who aims to eliminate Superman permanently.

Review of Superman: “This Superman film is unlike any other you’ve watched before – it’s both impressive and slightly problematic. It’s grandiose, touching, and demonstrates that the Man of Steel isn’t monotonous; by the end, you might find yourself convinced that James Gunn’s DC Universe has the ability to soar.

2. Superman II

Release Date: June 19, 1981
Director: Richard Lester
Cast: Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder
Runtime: 2 hours 7 minutes

As a devoted admirer, allow me to share my insights on this captivating tale: The narrative revolves around three lawless Kryptonians who manage to break free from the Phantom Zone and aim to subdue our very own Earth. Simultaneously, Superman makes an extraordinary choice – he relinquishes his superpowers just to be with Lois Lane.

Our Opinion: The Richard Donner version of Superman II ranks as our top pick due to its compelling narrative. While the Richard Lester cut is slightly more whimsical, it still holds a place among the best comic book adaptations. This is largely thanks to the formidable villains General Zod, Ursa, and Non who pose a genuine threat to Superman, making their battles genuinely tense and exciting.

1. Superman

Release Date: December 15, 1978
Director: Richard Donner
Cast: Christopher Reeve, Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman
Runtime: 2 hours 23 minutes

As a devoted fan, let me share my take: Born as the final scion of Krypton, I was fortunate enough to find solace on this very planet we call Earth. When the latent powers within me began to surface, I took up the mantle of Superman, devoting myself to safeguarding humanity and ensuring their well-being. Recently, I’ve been working tirelessly to thwart Lex Luthor’s nefarious scheme that threatens the very lives of Californians.

Our thought: When Superman was introduced on screen, it was innovative because the writers and director didn’t have any models to follow. Instead, by showing how Superman originated, portraying him as he worked a normal job and found love, and then placing him in conflict with an imposing villain, they established a blueprint for the character.

For the very first time, groundbreaking special effects made it seem genuine that a man could fly on screen. However, the true standout was Christopher Reeve’s exceptional acting as Clark Kent/Superman, not just in superhero films, but across cinema as a whole. When combined with John Williams’ memorable score, this movie soars, and it remains unmatched among the Superman films.

On July 11, 2025, James Gunn’s Superman makes its way to theaters. For additional comic book action, check out our recommended top superhero films of all time. Here’s why you can skip Superman’s post-credit sequences.

2025-07-10 18:19