All Superman movies ranked from worst to best.

Key Takeaways

• Superman is arguably the most iconic superhero, embodying all the qualities of a great hero.
• Superman movies have had varying success, and some have suffered from behind-the-scenes problems.
• The original Superman film starring Christopher Reeve is unrivaled in its portrayal of the iconic hero.

While Batman and Spider-Man can make a strong case, Superman is probably the most iconic superhero ever created. He was the first modern superhero and still embodies all the principles and traits that make a great superhero. He has a laundry list of superpowers and stands as the ultimate symbol of goodness and optimism in the public consciousness.

Updated on December 10, 2024 by Nathan Hilditch. For decades, DC has been very protective of its paragons of truth and justice in its media adaptations, wanting its characters to remain consistently pure across mediums. In recent years, filmmakers have been given much more latitude to reinterpret popular superheroes as the genre's popularity has soared.

Zak Synder primarily helmed a more brooding, darker iteration of Superman, a sharp contrast to the way he looked in the previous Ricard Donner classic. Sadly, fans will never get to see Nicolas Cage take on the Man of Steel in the infamously canceled film. But among those honored to wear the iconic Little Red Riding Hood, who wore it best? The answers are below this list. The best live-action Superman movies, ranked from worst to best..

8 Superman 4: Quest for Peace

franchise killer

• Release date: 1987
• Cast: Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Jon Cryer, Jackie Cooper
• Directed by: Sydney J Fury
• Rating: PG
• Studio: Cannon Group Inc.

Superman 4: Quest for Peace It was plagued with off-screen issues that definitely didn't help the finished product. The budget was cut shortly before production began due to the studio's financial constraints, and it wasn't just the budget that was drastically cut after receiving overwhelmingly negative feedback from test screenings.

Following the bewildering third entry, what was probably unhelpful and intended as a thought-provoking commentary on nuclear proliferation ended up being muddled and unfocused, putting the franchise on ice for decades.

7 superman 3

Not Another Superman Movie

• Release date: 1983
• Cast: Christopher Reeve, Richard Pryor, Jackie Cooper
• Director: Richard Lester
• Rating: PG
• Studio: Dovemead Ltd.

It's unclear what exactly the elevator pitch is for. superman 3 But someone at the studio was clearly a huge fan of Richard Pryor. While the movie spends an obscene amount of time with Pryor's Gus Gorman, Superman is mostly busy working and battling his evil inner self.

The slapstick tone is more of a parody of the first two films. It's a silly experience that's not satisfying in any way. on paper, superman 3 Probably the worst live-action film ever. superman The film was only saved by the fact that it happened to come out before the ill-fated sequel, which somehow performed even worse with fans and critics.

6 Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice

Summer Crossover Event

Perhaps the most divisive film on the list. batman v superman In fact, it delivers the kind of wacky, over-the-top action spectacle that has become a trademark of director Zak Synder's previous work. dawn of death and 300. But it definitely stumbles in its execution and is too interested in building a franchise.

The film, which follows suit in the MCU, features several undeveloped characters who are glorified cameos intended for future sequels that never come. The final product was again confusing and unfocused, and the similarity of the parents' names at the conclusion of the promised showdown was meme-worthy, to say the least.

5 justice league

Super Friends Assemble

problem justice league It's extremely well documented, and it's another Superman property that's had some turmoil behind the scenes. Synder left the project midway and was brought on board by director Joss Whedon, a well-known name in the fandom but with a completely different vision for the film. Wedon seems to find his inspiration somewhere in between. superman 3 and MCUIn stark contrast to Synder's notoriously moody vision, he chose a more playful tone.

What fans ended up experiencing was the worst of both worlds, and the shocking amount of Cyborg left on the cutting room floor meant that the story meant to hold the franchise together was meaningless because his character was central. Fans' petitions eventually paid dividends with the legendary Snyder Cut, which certainly made more sense but probably wasn't worth the wait.

4 man of steel

superman dark

Cinder's most critically acclaimed Superman film is also his most controversial, with critics accused of desperately chasing Christopher Nolan's trend of rough reboots. dark knight trilogy. The problem was that the property didn't really fit that tone and was a shocking departure from a fan-favorite character.

From murdering enemies in cold blood to causing millions of dollars of reckless property damage. Snyder attempted to address this as Batman's motivation. batman vs supermanHowever, starting a new franchise was a bad move and perhaps these warnings should have been heeded to prevent the above problems.

3 superman returns

return to form

• Release date: 2006
• Cast: Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, James Marsden
• Director: Brian Singer
• Rating: 12A
• Studio: Warner Brothers

Surprisingly, the one starring Bryan Singer and Kevin Spacey wasn't the most problematic Superman film, but Joss Whedon did indeed set a low bar. For all intents and purposes, there is no serious controversy surrounding Superman Returns other than that involving the infamous duo.

It's a return by the numbers as iconic hero Lex Luthor wants to rule the world, and Superman stops him and begins to rekindle with Lois Lane. It delivers what it promises, and is competent, if not great.

2 superman 2

a worthy successor

Directing a Superman movie must be a poisoned chalice, as it's yet another production with offset issues, director changes, and extensive reshoots. This time there was added drama as legendary actor Marlon Brandon sued the studio for royalties from the first feature, resulting in his scenes being removed from the sequel.

Nonetheless, with the return of Terrence Stamp's powerful antagonist General Zod, the film successfully ramped up the excitement and expectations of the original while delivering a solid sequel that is still fondly remembered by fans.

1 Superman: The Movie

man of steel

Despite advances in film and technology, no Superman movie can match the original film starring Christopher Reeve. The movie hasn't aged particularly well and it's still a fun family movie that tackles some issues not only in the special effects department but also with the social norms of the time.

A familiar origin story, it chronicles Superman's arrival on Earth, his growth, and his first confrontation with his nemesis, Lex Luthor. It is the definitive Superman story that remains unrivaled to this day.