Superman is more than just another comic book hero; he’s a timeless symbol of hope, justice, and heroism. Each generation has produced its own Man of Steel, and each actor to play the character has lent his own unique interpretation to the mythos. From radio actors to blockbuster icons, Superman’s legend has reached nearly every medium. But not every Superman has been equal to the task. Some look up, some crash and look up again, so let’s list them, from worst to best.
10. Brandon Routh
Following Christopher Reeve was never going to be an easy job, and Superman Returns did not help. Routh brought Clark’s goodness and Superman’s sense of nobility, but the disappointing plot did not give him much to work with. Fans wanted more from him, although his genuine effort did come through. Fortunately, his return in the Arrowverse’s Crisis on Infinite Earths allowed him to prove he always had the correct temperament for the character.
9. Dean Cain
In the ’90s, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman relied more on romantic comedy than superhero showmanship. Cain’s interpretation was sweet and down-to-earth, emphasizing Clark’s humanity and friendship with Lois (Teri Hatcher). It wasn’t the strongest Superman, but it was cozy and accessible; he made humanity feel like the ultimate superpower.
8. Tom Welling
Smallville bypassed the cape and provided us with Clark Kent’s adolescence instead. Welling portrayed a young man weighed down by fate, fighting with power, identity, and self-sacrifice. Delaying the suit reveal until the end worked in the show’s favor to highlight his humanity before his heroism. Even Christopher Reeve was a fan of his work, a proper blessing for an heir to Superman.
7. George Reeves
Long before blockbusters, George Reeves was TV’s Superman in the 1950s. His take represented the simple decency of the time: strong, honest, and dedicated to justice. Although the show seems dated today, Reeves’ sincerity made him a role model, both on and off camera. His insistence that Lois Lane’s actresses have equal billing demonstrated that his commitment to fairness was not something put on.
6. Tyler Hoechlin
First introduced in Supergirl, Hoechlin’s Superman developed his own series, Superman & Lois. His iteration walks the line of saving the world and being a family man, and he’s one of the most human interpretations of the character. He’s down-to-earth, warm, and complex, a man as committed to his children as he is to people. One of the most underrated Supermen out there, hands down.
5. Bud Collyer
Before TV, prior to movies, Superman’s voice was Bud Collyer. He set the standard over thousands of radio shows and the Fleischer animated shorts. Collyer famously adjusted his tone when switching from Clark’s mild-mannered personality to Superman’s authoritative bravado, a choice that became legendary. He never donned the cape on camera, but nobody played Superman more frequently.
4. Henry Cavill
Cavill’s Superman captured the darker, conflicted tone of the Snyderverse. His Clark was an alien, struggling to find his place between worlds. Divisive as he may have been, his performance brought gravitas and vulnerability to the role, highlighting the weight of being a god amongst men. Loved or not, loved or hated, Cavill made Superman powerful and yet tragically human.
3. Tim Daly & George Newbern
For most fans, the animated Superman is Superman. Tim Daly (Superman: The Animated Series) and George Newbern (Justice League and Justice League Unlimited) voiced a character who was a stoic leader and gentle protector. Unbound by the limitations of live-action, they brought Superman’s spirit to life over decades, becoming definitive voices of the hero.
2. David Corenswet
The newest to wear the cape, Corenswet enters the fray in James Gunn’s next Superman (2025). Preliminary excitement suggests that he will bring a lighter, more positive interpretation, a Superman who is accessible in today’s social media-oriented world but retains ageless ideals. Witty, hopeful, and confident, Corenswet may be this generation’s ultimate Superman.
1. Christopher Reeve
It had to be him. Reeve’s Superman is still the best, capturing the ideal balance of Clark’s goofy charm and Superman’s valorous vigor. He made the impossible plausible, not only by soaring through the screen, but by being hope itself. Reeve was not only playing Superman, he was Superman, and any actor who has followed has been in his shadow.
Superman has been reimagined thousands of times, but with every actor, they brought something different to the legend. Some provided grittiness, some warmth, some inspiration. But all of them together demonstrate that Superman is not one man, but an ideal, rebuilt for each generation. And that’s why he will live forever.