(Image Source: Warner Bros.)
Superman is unquestionably the definitive superhero. While not the first costumed vigilante or even the first hero with powers, his comics codified the concepts that defined the genre. The same can be said of his movies, which shaped how Hollywood adapts superhero comics.
Best Superman movies as of 2026
Superman got his cinematic start in 1948 in a series of movie serials. Then, in 1951, he got a 60-minute short called Superman and the Mole Men. It would be another 27 years before there was finally a feature-length film starring the Man of Steel.
The first Superman film franchise started with a bang, helping develop the modern blockbuster. Both Superman: The Movie and Superman II were big successes. However, Superman III and IV were major disappointments to both the fans and the studios. Thankfully, the films that followed never entirely equaled that low point, despite their flaws. The following movies, listed in chronological order, are generally agreed to be the best starring the Man of Steel.
Superman: The Movie (1978)
1978’s Superman: The Movie is arguably the best movie ever made to feature the Man of Steel. It is easily the most influential. Not only on later Superman movies but on superhero movies in general. In a 2017 interview, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige shared that he rewatched Superman: The Movie before beginning any MCU production. Sam Raimi also drew inspiration from it for his first Spider-Man movie.
This is readily apparent considering the basic story structure of Superman: The Movie. The film carries us through the hero’s journey, showcasing their origins before getting to the action. Like most of the MCU movies, Superman: The Movie offers drama, comedy, and action in equal measure. Yet the screenplay by Godfather author Mario Puzo takes its subject seriously, even in the more light-hearted moments.
Admittedly, Superman: The Movie is somewhat slow-paced by modern standards. Nearly an hour passes before we see the classic costume. Yet the scene in which Superman first reveals himself to the world remains one of the greatest in cinematic history.
Beyond the story, the score by John Williams, and stellar direction by Richard Donner, everything clicks. Christopher Reeve was perfectly cast as Superman. Yet he was even better cast as Clark Kent. Reeve’s transitions between alter egos are a master-class in acting. He truly sells the idea that nobody would connect the mild-mannered reporter and the Man of Steel. Also, the revolutionary practical effects still hold up nearly five decades later. As the tagline said, “You’ll believe a man can fly.”
Superman II (1980)
Superman II picks up where the first Christopher Reeve movie left off. This time, the Man of Steel faces General Zod and his cronies, after they are accidentally released from the Phantom Zone. Seeking revenge, they come to Earth to conquer it and destroy the son of Jor-El.
Beyond the battle with the Kryptonian outlaws, Kal-El faces an intense inner conflict. While appreciating the good he does as Superman, he also longs for a life with Lois Lane. This adds another level to the fight with Zod. In order to save the world, the Man of Steel must give up his fondest dream.
While Superman II was a critical and commercial success, its production was a nightmare. Creative tensions between the producers and original director Richard Donner (who had been filming Superman I and II simultaneously) led to his dismissal. Richard Lester was brought in to finish the film and later directed the more comedic Superman III based on what the producers wanted. Thankfully, in 2006, Donner’s original vision was presented in a special edition DVD release; Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut.
Superman Returns (2006)
Following the critical and financial failure of 1987’s The Quest for Peace, two decades passed without any new Superman movies. There were efforts to revive the franchise, with numerous attempts to adapt The Death of Superman. However, the revival ultimately came through Superman Returns: a reboot that completely ignored Superman III, Superman IV, and Supergirl.
Superman Returns opens five years after the events of Superman II. The Man of Steel is newly returned to Earth, having spent the last few years searching for Krypton. In that time, Lois Lane has gotten engaged and has a five-year-old son. Also, Lex Luthor is up to his old tricks.
Superman Returns was relatively well received and is currently sitting at a solid 74% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While Rotten Tomatoes isn’t the final word on quality, it does offer a valuable snapshot of the reception of the time. While the script gave Brandon Routh little to work with, most critics felt he filled the big red boots of The Man of Steel admirably. These opinions were borne out over a decade later, when Routh played an older, wiser Superman to great acclaim in the Arrowverse Crisis on Infinite Earths event.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
The sequel to 2013’s Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, is widely viewed as the best of Zack Snyder’s DCEU movies. The plot involves tech magnate Lex Luthor manipulating events (and the heroes’ personal biases) to force a confrontation between Superman and Batman. This leads to an epic brawl, which was heavily inspired by Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns.
While the plot is somewhat drawn out, the intense action scenes won over many audiences. It is also notable for featuring the first live-action cinematic version of Wonder Woman. Indeed, many felt Gal Gadot stole the show with her brief performance.
The movie broke box office records with its debut, though it experienced a steep drop in the weeks that followed. Despite this, it ultimately earned $874.4 million worldwide. However, that strong commercial performance is muted by the mixed reactions of both audiences and critics. That matters little to Zack Snyder’s fans, who still hold out hope that he might one day make another DC Comics movie.
Superman (2025)
James Gunn’s Superman is one of the best-received films featuring the Man of Steel so far. In stark contrast to the darker, deconstructive Snyderverse films, the movie focuses on Superman’s humanity and his place in the universe. This offers a solid, hopeful foundation for the new DCU that resonates with the characters’ classic values.
One interesting aspect of the 2025 Superman movie is how it defies the formula the Superman: The Movie pioneered. Gunn knows most people know Superman’s origin and doesn’t waste a moment showing it. The movie opens in the middle of the action, with a brief blurb giving us Superman’s history in the DCU.
What follows establishes his character and that of his friends and enemies without feeling overly expository. The inclusion of more obscure heroes like Mister Terrific and Guy Gardner also aids in establishing the idea of a larger setting just waiting to be explored. This subtly builds audience’s expectations and excitement for future DC Studios productions, like Supergirl and the upcoming Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow.
How we chose the best Superman movies
We picked the best Superman movies based on a mix of critic and audience consensus. Another factor was how each film contributed to the progression of the franchise. Finally, films were rated based on how well they adapted the comics and the spirit of the Man of Steel.
