Superman Motion pictures in Order Chronologically and By Launch Date

One of many first superheroes to exist, Superman stays one of the vital iconic comedian guide characters of all time. Like Batman, a lot of the character’s success is owed partially to the silver display screen. Whereas Superman might not have as many motion pictures as Batman, his movies are simply as (if no more) vital by way of cultural influence. There’s a motive why athletes prefer to have a good time touchdowns and dunks with a Superman celebration. Superman motion pictures are far more hit-or-miss than Batman movies, although, however the sequence nonetheless has fiercely loyal followers.

For audiences trying to get within the Superman temper following the discharge of the trailer for James Gunn’s 2025 revival of the character, right here is each theatrically launched Superman movie so as of launch. Because the character has been rebooted just a few occasions, there are just a few totally different chronological timelines for followers to comply with and select from.

Superman Motion pictures in Each Chronological Order and by Launch Date

The Superman movies have been launched in chronological order, that means you may comfortably watch them in a single order with none main continuity issues.

1

Superman (1948)

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Superman

Launch Date

July 15, 1948

Runtime

244 Minutes

Solid

Kirk Alyn
, noel neill
, Tommy Bond
, Carol Forman
, Pierre Watkin

Superman first appeared outdoors the comics in 1941 with the well-known Max Fleischer cartoons, and 7 years later he made his live-action debut with Superman. Like Batman, Superman’s first live-action look was in a 15-part serial launched in weekly theatrical episodes. This authentic serial chronicles the origins of Superman. The titular hero is performed by Kirk Alyn, who went uncredited, as a result of to be able to preserve the phantasm of Superman, the superhero was credited as himself within the movie. The story follows Clark Kent studying who he’s, in addition to going through The Spider Girl, who was performed by Carol Forman. The Spider Girl is an authentic creation and solely only in the near past appeared within the comics.

A Quirky however Iconic Intro to Superman

The budgets have been extremely small, which did not assist the particular results. Whereas a far cry from the blockbusters of at present, these results are nonetheless satisfactory for his or her time and simply add to the allure. After his origin is given within the first three components, the episodes finish with cliffhangers. Superman was already a preferred character, however these serials boosted him to new heights. The success of those brief Superman movies not solely led to a sequel two years later, but additionally impressed the Batman serials. This early type of Superman could be very tacky and a product of the time, however followers ought to test it out to see his humble big-screen beginnings.

2

Atom Man Vs. Superman (1950)

Two years later, a brand new 15-part serial was launched that includes the Man of Metal. Atom Man vs. Superman options Superman going up in opposition to the titular Atom Man. Whereas this will likely seem to be one other authentic character, his alias is a reputation all too acquainted. Atom Man is the alter ego of basic baddie Lex Luthor. Lex’s first live-action look is portrayed by Lyle Talbot, who beforehand appeared as James Gordon within the 1949 serial Batman & Robin.

Kirk Alyn reprises his function as Superman, as soon as once more going uncredited. This serial was far more conventional, being gimmicky and with every episode being a cliffhanger. Nonetheless, this as soon as once more merely provides to the allure. Atom Man vs. Superman actually seems like an early Superman comedian has come to life, like with the earlier serial, Atom Man Vs. Superman gave the already extremely well-liked character an enormous enhance.

3

Superman and the Mole Males (1951)

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Superman and the Mole-Males

Launch Date

November 23, 1951

Runtime

58 Minutes

Solid

George Reeves
, Phyllis Coates
, Jeff Corey
, Walter Reed
, J. Farrell MacDonald
, Stanley Andrews
, Ray Walker
, Hal Okay. Dawson
, Phil Warren
, Frank Reicher
, Beverly Washburn
, John Baer
, Stephen Carr
, John T. Bambury

Important Style

Sci-Fi

Increase

In 1951, Superman and the Mole Males was launched in theaters. The black and white movie featured George Reeves as Superman and Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane. Clark Kent and Lois Lane arrive in a small city whose current oil drilling has unearthed a mysterious race of creatures from the Earth, and the townsfolk are scared of those creatures, and Superman should step in to stop a battle between the 2 sides.

This led to a tv sequence starring George Reeves named The Adventures of Superman, which helped solidify Superman as one of the vital well-liked heroes on the planet. George Reeves performed the character till his dying on June 16, 1959. The circumstances round his dying nonetheless stay a thriller to this date, however he left an enduring mark on the character.

Associated

All 6 Canceled Superman Motion pictures (& Why They Did not Occur)

Superman motion pictures have didn’t take off a number of occasions over time. Here is precisely what occurred in these cases.

4

Superman: The Film (1978)

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Launch Date

December 15, 1978

Runtime

143 Minutes

The phrases ‘legendary’ and ‘iconic’ are thrown round pretty typically. If there’s one movie that actually deserves these titles, it’s Superman: The Film from 1978. This movie modified the character without end and paved the way in which for different superhero movies to comply with. The movie’s groundbreaking particular results nonetheless maintain up at present. It stars Marlon Brando as Jor-El; including this icon and juggernaut of an actor simply elevated the movie’s legendary standing, and audiences rapidly took the movie severely due to it.

One other well-known actor to hitch the movie was Gene Hackman. Gene performed basic Superman villain Lex Luthor, in a efficiency that’s typically hailed as a touchstone to different portrayals of Lex. Whereas these two actors took prime billing, the titular function was given to a then-unknown actor. Whereas he wasn’t identified but, he would quickly turn into synonymous with the identify Superman.

Christopher Reeve Is Superman

Christopher Reeve appeared just like the character of Superman had really left the pages of DC Comics and made a film. To today, so many followers declare Christopher Reeve would not merely play Superman, he’s Superman. He manages to play Clark Kent and Superman as two totally different characters. His Clark is hunched over, clumsy, and speaks in an uncertain and nervous method. As Superman, he stands tall, has a deep voice, and is an imposing however heat determine. Christopher Reeves is, and at all times might be, the portrayal that each one different variations of Superman might be in comparison with. Margot Kidder performs Lois, and her sassy and unbiased angle can be the groundwork for all different variations from that time ahead.

The movie options the most effective John Williams scores, and in doing so created arguably probably the most iconic superhero theme of all time. This theme tune has caught with the character for many years, even showing in Superman initiatives that are not linked to this one, comparable to Smallville and the theatrical lower of Justice League. For followers of the character, that is the Superman story. It could be corny at occasions, however that is the movie that actually began the superhero movie. One viewing, and you’ll actually consider a person can fly. It made followers wish to turn into superheroes in their very own proper. Merely put, it is without doubt one of the nice superhero movies of all-time due to its nice forged, storyline and particular results.

5

Superman II (1980)

Superman was such a preferred character that director Richard Donner filmed a sequel whereas concurrently filming the primary film. As a consequence of rising tensions between Donner and the producers, manufacturing on the second movie was halted to be able to full the primary. Over 70% of the movie was accomplished when it was halted. After the primary movie proved profitable, Richard Donner was fired, and Richard Lester was introduced on to complete Superman II, most of which he re-shot. Nearly all of the forged and crew objected to this choice, they usually solely returned to do re-shoots attributable to contractual obligations. If this sounds acquainted, that’s as a result of a really comparable incident occurred many years later with Justice League.

The unique director ultimately returned to finish his imaginative and prescient for the movie. Each the theatrical and Donner cuts have the identical plot, nonetheless. Earlier than Krypton was destroyed, Jor-El helped banish three criminals into the Phantom Zone. These criminals, led by Normal Zod, ultimately escape and journey to Earth, looking for revenge on Kal-el for his father’s sins. Greater than 40 years later, Superman II is definitely most well-liked by many followers over the unique movie. Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, and Gene Hackman all reprise their roles, and Terence Stamp will get an expanded function as Normal Zod, giving a implausible efficiency.

An Influential Superhero Sequel

The movie blended drama, motion, and comedy in an ideal method. On the coronary heart of Superman II was the connection between Clark and Lois. Clark is confronted with a dilemma: select to be with the girl he loves or stay a virtually immortal hero. Superman II does an excellent job of displaying the professionals and cons of sacrifice and the way the smallest selections can have devastating repercussions. This define of a superhero giving up his powers within the sequel has been so influential for the style, it was even featured in Spider-Man 2 and Marvel Girl 1984.

The most important change between the theatrical and Donner cuts, nonetheless, is the ending. The Donner ending is basically the identical as the primary film, the place Superman travels all over the world so quick that he reverses time. Within the theatrical lower, Superman kisses Lois so arduous that she loses her reminiscence. Neither ending is nice, and followers are break up as to which one is healthier.

6

Superman III (1983)

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Launch Date

June 17, 1983

Runtime

125 minutes

Director

Richard Lester

Whereas the third entry within the Superman movie sequence has its followers, most agree that that is the place the standard started to dip. Richard Lester returns to the director’s chair, a lot to the disapproval of the forged, particularly Margot Kidder. She was so outspoken in opposition to the producers firing Richard Donner that her function was decreased to a mere cameo. Richard Donner had huge plans for the sequence, and none of them have been used, probably the most fascinating of which being Donner’s authentic plan to contain Brainiac.

Superman III options an enormous tonal shift from the earlier two and is way campier. The movie follows Superman as he fights not Lex Luthor, not a Kryptonian risk, not even Brainiac. As an alternative, he fights a corrupt enterprise tycoon trying to achieve wealth. Maybe probably the most fascinating ingredient of the movie is the introduction of an artificial Kryptonite. When uncovered, the Kryptonite actually splits Superman into two.

Nice New Characters

Because of the absence of Lois, Lana Lang is depicted as Clark’s love curiosity, performed by Annette O’Toole, who would go on to play Martha Kent in Smallville and was one among a number of performers from the movies to seem in mentioned sequence.

Additionally new to the forged is Richard Pryor as Gus, a bumbling little bit of comedy aid that the majority followers agree is just not wanted. This was the primary movie within the franchise to obtain principally mediocre to damaging critiques. There are nonetheless some issues to love within the movie, nonetheless. On the finish of the day, this movie did nothing to additional the story of Superman and is a principally forgotten entry. It wasn’t as praised as the primary two, but it surely did not earn the extent of infamy the next movie did.

7

Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987)

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Superman IV: The Quest for Peace

Launch Date

July 24, 1987

Runtime

90 minutes

Solid

Marc McClure, Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Jon Cryer, Jackie Cooper

Important Style

Superhero

Director

Sidney J. Furie

Ranking

PG

Increase

Identical to the Batman sequence, Superman’s fourth movie has gone down as one of many worst comedian guide motion pictures in historical past. Superman IV: The Quest For Peace exists purely to ship an anti-nuclear weapons message. The movie’s first problem is that the manufacturing firm is none aside from Cannon Movies, one of the vital notorious film studios of the ’80s. Cannon was well-known for churning out tons of “so dangerous it is good” motion pictures, and to some, this may very well be thought of one among them.

Shortly earlier than manufacturing started, the studio suffered an enormous monetary blow that negatively affected this movie. Whereas the primary film was crammed with groundbreaking results, this movie lower corners within the worst methods potential. Most famously is the shot of Superman flying that’s reused quite a few occasions all through the movie. Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, and Gene Hackman all returned, though none of them actually needed to. Reeve solely agreed to return if he acquired an enormous pay enhance and had a hand in writing the story.

A Unhappy Final Have a look at Reeve’s Superman

The movie follows Superman as he units out to destroy each single nuclear missile on the planet. Trying to rid the world of his foe as soon as and for all, Luthor sends a few of Superman’s DNA into house with weapons. This inexplicably creates Nuclear Man, a superbeing with Lex Luthor’s voice, for some motive. Evidently, the disappointing sequel to the classics bombed each critically and financially. The film’s compelled message closely distracted from what little plot there was, and the particular results have been laughably dangerous even in 1987, whereas not one of the returning actors appeared to care.

This movie was, sadly, the final Superman movie that includes Christopher Reeve. In 1995, Reeve had an accident that paralyzed him from the neck down. For the rest of his life, he nonetheless sought to entertain the plenty. Reeve is remembered not for this movie however for bringing the character of Superman to life in a method that had by no means been carried out earlier than and possibly will not be carried out once more. His ultimate days have been spent working numerous organizations, particularly ones specializing in Stem Cell Analysis. Christopher Reeve handed away in 2004 and can at all times be remembered as a superman. That’s for sure.

8

Superman Returns (2006)

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Launch Date

June 28, 2006

Runtime

2h 34m

Director

Bryn Singer

After the humiliating failure that was Superman IV, the franchise laid dormant for almost 20 years. Throughout that point, all 4 of the Burton/Schumacher Batman movies have been launched. An try was made to convey Superman again to the large display screen within the ’90s with Tim Burton directing and Nicolas Cage enjoying Superman. Nonetheless, the failure of Batman & Robin killed the mission.

After the success of the TV present Smallville, which lasted 10 seasons, it was clear that there was a renewed curiosity within the character. Following within the footsteps of 2005’s Batman Begins was Superman Returns in 2006, helmed by X-Males mastermind Bryan Singer. Somewhat than being a full reboot, Superman Returns loosely follows the primary Christopher Reeve motion pictures whereas disregarding the third and fourth movies.

An Underperforming Return

Someday earlier than the occasions of the movie, Superman leaves Earth when he believes Krypton might have survived. He returns 5 years later after discovering this isn’t the case and that Lex Luthor is as much as his outdated tips. The film is a big step-up in high quality from the earlier two movies. Many criticize it for numerous causes, however most agree it’s a strong entry within the sequence, with Superman’s airplane rescue being the most effective depictions of the character placed on display screen.

Whereas the movie was profitable each financially and with critics, Warner Bros. was upset because the film did not carry out to their expectations (whereas it carried out on par with Batman Begins, that movie was less expensive than Superman Returns). The film was set to have a sequel in 2009, however the plans have been scrapped in favor of a reboot. Brandon Routh has been extremely praised for his flip as Superman and later returned as a future model of his Superman in The CW’s Disaster on Infinite Earths crossover.

9

Man of Metal (2013)

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Launch Date

June 14, 2013

Solid

Kevin Costner
, Laurence Fishburne
, Richard Schiff
, Amy Adams
, Harry Lennix
, Antje Traue
, Michael Shannon
, Henry Cavill
, Christopher Meloni
, Diane Lane
, Russell Crowe

Runtime

143 minutes

After the conclusion of The Darkish Knight Trilogy and with the success of the MCU, Warner Bros. determined to make their very own cinematic universe, thus launching the DCEU Universe. The film to kick it off was Superman’s first movie in seven years, Man of Metal. For the primary time since 1980, Normal Zod is the villain, with Lex Luthor not showing.

Henry Cavill seems as Superman, and most followers agree his efficiency is similar to Reeve’s. The film does take a darker have a look at the character, significantly concerning Superman taking a life. Man of Metal was a blended movie with critics and audiences, however nonetheless a field workplace hit that kickstarted a brand new cinematic universe. It was the beginning of one thing new, one thing refreshing for DC followers.

A Darkish Introduction to Snyder’s Imaginative and prescient of Superman

Man of Metal follows Clark Kent as he learns to not be ashamed of his powers however to make use of them to guard his new dwelling. For his complete life, Clark Kent was ashamed of his talents, and, as an grownup, went into exile from the remainder of the world. As soon as he learns his true future, a Kryptonian military led by Normal Zod arrives to hunt revenge for his or her seize by the hands of Superman’s father. All through the movie, Superman learns what it takes to be a hero.

By loss, sacrifice, and doing unspeakable issues, he realizes that to be able to be a real hero, he should embrace his human facet. As acknowledged earlier than, the movie is not almost as cheerful because the Christopher Reeve-led movies, and plenty of agree it’s too preachy at occasions. The movie nonetheless has a loyal fan base, and Cavill grew to become a fan-favorite model of Superman.

10

Batman vs. Superman: Daybreak of Justice (2016)

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Batman v Superman: Daybreak of Justice

On this high-action movie by Zack Snyder, the 2 DC superheroes face off in opposition to each other in a battle spurred on by the villainous Lex Luthor. The movie additionally options WonderWoman enjoying a job within the combat in opposition to Doomsday and different villains from past the Earth. Because the world’s two strongest superheroes put together to destroy one another, an sudden commonality brings them collectively to defeat their actual enemy.

Launch Date

March 24, 2016

Runtime

152 minutes

Following Man of Metal, the second movie within the DCEU is Batman vs. Superman: Daybreak of Justice, which reveals how the world is break up by the existence of Superman. Many consider they’ve been blessed with a protector who will combat tooth and nail to make sure their security. Others, comparable to Bruce Wayne, consider that Superman is a ticking time bomb who will simply entice extra destruction and can destroy Earth ought to he see match. The 2 biggest and hottest heroes within the DC Universe take heart stage.

After seeing the destruction of Metropolis firsthand and up shut, Bruce comes out of retirement and takes to the streets as Batman. The caped millionaire is far more brutal than ever, and this will get the eye of Superman. These two titans being pitted in opposition to one another is all a part of Lex Luthor’s plan, which is to create his personal Kryptonian monster to maintain them occupied.

A Disappointing Goodbye to Superman?

Ben Affleck is Batman and Cavill returns as Superman on this polarized entry. The movie upset many followers, though, over time, it has gained increasingly followers. The most important grievance is the truth that the movie feels extra like a feature-length post-credits scene than its personal film. A lot of the film is extra involved with constructing as much as its sequel than telling its personal story. However, Zack Snyder’s prolonged lower, the Final Version, is a much better movie than the theatrical lower was.

The most important factor that occurs within the movie is that Superman sacrifices his life to be able to defeat Doomsday. Seeing Superman die not solely impacts the viewers, but it surely impacts Bruce Wayne as effectively This was the primary time the character was seen dying on the large display screen, and is a free adaptation of the Dying of Superman comics. Impressed by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce decides to kind a crew together with the assistance of Marvel Girl, setting the stage for Justice League.

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Superman mythos has been used because the backbone of seven live-action reveals. Which is the weakest and the strongest?

11

Justice League (2017)

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Launch Date

November 17, 2017

Solid

Jeremy Irons
, Gal Gadot
, Amy Adams
, Jesse Eisenberg
, Ciarán Hinds
, Ben Affleck
, Henry Cavill
, Ezra Miller
, J. Okay. Simmons
, Jason Momoa
, Ray Fisher

Runtime

242 minutes

For some time, the ultimate look of Cavill as Superman was in Justice League. The theatrical lower of the movie might have introduced again components of John Willams’ legendary rating, but it surely additionally featured Superman along with his notorious CGI-affected face. Zack Snyder left the movie throughout post-production, and Joss Whedon took over. He closely re-shot the movie and created a hostile setting on set.

Justice League was launched to blended critiques from critics and followers and the DCEU suffered the backlash that might ultimately spawn the search for the Snyderverse. The actual query is: is Whedon’s lower that dangerous? Is something price recycling from that? What’s plain is that it is the most divisive second within the historical past of the superhero.

12

Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

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Zack Snyder’s Justice League

Launch Date

March 18, 2021

Solid

Ben Affleck
, Henry Cavill
, Amy Adams
, Gal Gadot
, Ray Fisher
, Jason Momoa
, Ezra Miller
, Jesse Eisenberg
, Jeremy Irons
, J.Okay. Simmons
, Willem Dafoe

Runtime

242 Minutes

Zack Snyder’s Justice League is often known as the Snyder Minimize. It is principally an important director’s lower in movie historical past, one for which Warner Bros. invested 70 million, whatever the movie’s direct-to-streaming launch schedule. Plot-wise, there’s not a lot that is not Batman forming the crew after Superman is introduced again to life, and them coming collectively to combat in opposition to Steppenwolf.

The movie has a working time of 242 minutes. That is 4 hours of superhero bliss. The Snyder Minimize was significantly better acquired than the theatrical lower of Justice League, and whereas it stays a cool experiment by Warner Bros., it additionally represents the start of the top for the DCEU. Curiously, the movie would not function an entire lot of Superman.

13

Superman (2025)

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Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman is the primary film in Warner Bros.’ rebooted DC Universe to heart across the titular comedian guide hero. It introduces a brand new model of the Man of Metal after Henry Cavill’s departure from the function, honoring the character’s roots as “the embodiment of reality, justice and the American method.”

Solid

David Corenswet
, Rachel Brosnahan
, María Gabriela De Faría
, Edi Gathegi
, Nicholas Hoult
, Frank Grillo
, Nathan Fillion
, Milly Alcock
, Sara Sampaio
, Pruitt Taylor Vince
, Skyler Gisondo
, Anthony Carrigan
, Wendell Pierce
, Beck Bennett
, Sean Gunn

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Photos

Increase

The following Superman movie is about to be launched on July 11, 2025. Superman stars David Corenswet, who will tackle the main protagonist function and might be paired with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. It’s set to be the true begin of the brand new DCU that James Gunn has deliberate, which can apparently reboot your complete franchise, and provides a contemporary begin to an important IP owned by Warner Bros.

James Gunn’s Superman Launches the New DCU

This new movie will discover Superman’s upbringing and heritage, from each his Kryptonian dad and mom but additionally his adopted human household. It has been a very long time since Superman acquired his personal solo movie. Judging by the trailer, issues are trying up for the superhero from planet Krypton, who will return to the tune of John Williams’ signature rating.