7 Live-Action Superman Movies Ranked from Worst to Best (2025)
Before James Gunn’s reboot takes flight, we revisit the highs and lows of Superman’s solo movie legacy.
It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s time to rank another Superman film! With James Gunn’s Superman (2025) rebooting the Man of Steel for a new generation, now is the perfect time to fly back through the decades and rank all the live-action solo Superman films. From Christopher Reeve’s iconic portrayal to Henry Cavill’s darker take, the on-screen existence of Krypton’s last son has had high-flying triumphs and a few crash landings over the past five decades.
Note:This list focuses solely on solo Superman films, excluding Batman vs Superman and Justice League, for clarity. So, dust off those red capes, and let’s fly through the rankings.
Table of Contents
7. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
When Cannon Films purchased the franchise, their cost-cutting measures finally caught up with them, and it was disappointing. Despite a valiant try by Christopher Reeve and a return by Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Superman IV was a weak imitation of the earlier films.
With cheap effects, a shallow storyline, and a forgettable villain in Nuclear Man, Superman IV was missing the heart, polish, and scale that fans had come to expect. Its anti-nuclear message was commendable, but the the execution, from editing to production design, was more cartoonish than cinematic.
6. Superman III (1983)
This misfit inclusion attempted to combine slapstick humor with superhero spectacle, and the results were… uneven. Richard Pryor’s role as a bumbling tech genius stole the spotlight, often at Superman’s expense. The tonal shift was jarring, but a few redeeming moments shine through.
The junkyard fight between Dark Superman and Clark Kent is one of the franchise’s memorable sequences. Its early use of AI and satellite technology was well ahead of its time, but the inconsistent tone and sidelining of the title hero prevented Superman III from being as good as it could have been.
5. Superman Returns (2006)
Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns was a visual love letter to Richard Donner’s original, and while that is admirable respect, it’s also what holds the movie back. Brandon Routh captured the spirit of Christopher Reeve with sincerity, but the slow pacing of the story and the recycled real estate plot made it feel like it’s stuck in the past.
It’s a technically beautiful movie, with emotionally resonant scenes, especially surrounding Superman and Lois’s relationship and the child they share. But it never quite manages to forge a new identity of its own. Nostalgic but imperfect, it’s a respectful homage that sometimes forgets to move forward.
4. Superman II (1981)
Continuing from the original’s success, Superman II raised the stakes by providing the Man of Steel with actual villains in the form of General Zod, Ursa, and Non. The movie combines romance, action, and self-discovery as Superman struggles with Lois’ love and the burden of his powers.
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Despite Richard Donner being controversially replaced in the middle, the end product holds up. The alternate Donner Cut provides a more emotionally rewarding cut with the reinstatement of deleted scenes and richer character development, particularly for Marlon Brando’s Jor-El. A worthy sequel that deepened the mythology.
3. Man of Steel (2013)
Zack Snyder’s reboot opened the DCEU with a bold, darker vision of Superman. With innovative visual effects, Hans Zimmer’s thundering score, and a raw take onKal-El’s origin, Man of Steelaimed to tell a Superman story for a more jaded time.
Henry Cavill was perfectly cast and gave the character strength and vulnerability, but the film flirted with controversy over its darker tone and the destructive finale in Metropolis; it resonated with audiences who appreciated its thematic weight. An imperfect but passionate story of identity, choice, and the burden of power.
2. Superman: The Movie (1978)
“You’ll believe a man can fly.” Richard Donner’s classic Superman film is still the best Superman movie and for many fine reasons. Christopher Reeve delivers an unforgettable performance, effortlessly alternating between humble Clark Kent and the noble Superman.
John Williams’ soaring score, groundbreaking special effects, and just the right balance of heart, humor, and heroism made Superman: The Movie more than just a superhero movie. It was a cinematic landmark. It not only established Superman for generations, but it also established the superhero genre in general. Timeless, iconic, and still unmatched.
1. Superman (2025)
James Gunn’s Superman kicks off the new DC Universe with energy, emotion, and just the right amount of chaos. David Corenswet’s down-to-earth and vulnerable Clark Kent is a refreshing take that feels deeply human. He’s matched to perfection with Rachel Brosnahan’s fierce Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult’s chilling Lex Luthor
Gunn masterfully blends classic Superman nostalgia with modern storytelling, exploring themes of identity, power, and the manipulation of public opinion in a world warped by media and global tension.
With Edi Gathegi’s scene-stealing Mister Terrific and even a polarizing but memorable Krypto, Superman walks a fine line between emotional impact and blockbuster spectacle. The payoff is bold, heartfelt, and more fun than expected, a genuinely hopeful beginning for DC’s new cinematic era.
Superman Movies Ranked
From Christopher Reeve’s timeless charm to Henry Cavill’s stoic intensity — and now David Corenswet’s emotionally charged reboot — every Superman movie captures the essence of its era’s hopes, fears, and cinematic trends. Ranking Superman movies isn’t easy, as each version reflects its era’s hopes, fears, and strengths in its own way.
With Superman (2025), James Gunn isn’t merely reviving a character; he’s redefining a myth for a new era. Whether you adore the classic capes or modern storytelling, there’s a Superman for every type of fan. And with new creative energy and a vision for the future, the legacy of Krypton’s last son is ready to inspire a new generation.
Umair Nakade
Umair has loved anime since it was still pretty niche, growing up watching classics like Pokémon, Dragon Ball, Zatch Bell, and Beyblade in the early 2010s. Death Note really got him hooked, and since then, he’s caught up with everything from the Big Three to the latest Shonen Jump hits, with Haikyuu!!! as his favorite. But he’s not just about anime, Umair’s a huge cinephile, especially superhero flicks from Marvel and DC, and never misses opening day at theaters. When he’s not watching or writing, you will find him playing Wuthering Waves, AAA titles, or listening to Harry Styles on repeat. At Techwiser, Umair is dedicated to covering anime and pop culture content.
