Superman’s film record is not a very consistent one. While Batman or Spider-Man have managed to get a stable footing through reboots, the Man of Steel has been on a trip to spectacular success—and some of the most confusing errors of superhero films.
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
Christopher Reeve was far more valuable than this. The Quest for Peace aimed to convey a strong message about nuclear arms, but was limited to a borderline parody script and a tiny budget that pretty much paralyzed it. The joke that the audience can laugh at with the special effects, the story not being fleshed out, and “Nuclear Man” being one of the weakest antagonists of comic book movies. It’s the sort of film you see once for the sake of curiosity—and then quietly forget.
Supergirl (1984)
A spinoff with potential, Supergirl brought us Kara Zor-El warmly through Helen Slater’s dedicated performance. Unfortunately, the movie surrounding her is too dependent on sentimental fantasy and superficial storytelling. Even with a cast featuring Faye Dunaway and Peter O’Toole, it plays more like a Saturday morning cartoon extended to two hours. For a more compelling retelling of Kara’s story, the current TV series provides much more heart and substance.
5. Superman III (1983)
This one’s bizarre. Rather than an actual Superman film, it’s essentially a Richard Pryor comedy that just happens to star the Man of Steel. On the positive side, the junkyard brawl in which Superman fights his darker half is unforgettable, and Christopher Reeve is still magnetic as Clark. But tone whiplash and slapstick humor bring it down. Amusing in moments, but uneven in total.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Technically, it stars Superman, but let’s face it: Batman steals the show here. The film packs in too much into one fat package—Doomsday, Lex Luthor, Wonder Woman, and the “Death of Superman” arc—sidelining Clark Kent. Henry Cavill broods his way through, but the script fails to allow him to shine. By the end, the emotional moments that are supposed to stick land like homework rather than heroics.
Superman Returns (2006)
Brandon Routh is the picture of decorum in the cape, seemingly taking cues from Reeve’s heritage, and Bryan Singer’s guidance is definitely respectful to Superman. Just the saving of the airplane scene makes the whole thing worth seeing. However, the movie is so fixated on recalling the 1978 original to the extent that it fails to deepen its own existence. The story is rambling, and the character of Superman is away for quite a long time. The film is filled with ambition but ends up being stuck between homage and reboot.
Superman II (1980)
For most fans, Superman II is still the best sequel. General Zod (Terence Stamp) is still a classic villain in superhero mythology, and the battle in Metropolis is filled with practical effects that still look surprisingly good today. Behind-the-scenes drama—Richard Donner’s firing and Richard Lester’s reshoots—rendered the film inconsistent. Even with its faults, the combination of romance, spectacle, and high tension continues to make it one of the greatest.
Man of Steel (2013)
Zack Snyder’s modern reboot divided audiences, but it’s hard to deny its impact. Henry Cavill brings a grounded, conflicted Superman to life, supported by a strong cast including Amy Adams and Michael Shannon’s chilling take on Zod. The action is relentless, and Hans Zimmer’s score roars with intensity. Critics argue it leans too dark, but it reinvents Superman for a new generation while avoiding the stale Kryptonite-versus-Luthor formula.
Superman: The Movie (1978)
The original still reigns supreme. Richard Donner’s direction mixed awe, comedy, and earnestness and demonstrated that superhero movies could be something greater than cheap thrills. Christopher Reeve is Superman—demonstrating effortlessly a charming Clark Kent and the assured Man of Steel. John Williams’ theme is one of the greatest scores in the history of cinema, and the movie’s mixture of romance, hope, and magic has yet to be matched. Even today, it’s the standard by which every superhero movie has ever been measured.
Superman’s Ever-Changing Legacy
What sets Superman apart on screen is how dramatically the tone and style change from one decade to the next. Reeve provided us with a symbol of hope, Routh was a nod to that tradition, and Cavill represented a darker, contemporary hero. Villains such as Gene Hackman’s over-the-top Lex Luthor and Stamp’s autocratic Zod have become cultural references in their own right.
Through it all, the ups and downs, Superman is the film’s biggest paradox: a hero whose greatest movie established the gold standard back in 1978, but whose saga keeps on changing. With David Corenswet taking up the cape in James Gunn’s future reboot, the Man of Steel’s adventure is far from over. The question remains—can the next installment finally fly as high as the first?