Superman has been soaring on screens for almost 50 years, and no other superhero has been rebooted, reimagined, and re-costumed more times than the Man of Steel. From Christopher Reeve’s old-school charm to Henry Cavill’s new-school brooding interpretation, there’s a Superman for everyone. Now that James Gunn’s new take is in theaters, it’s time to sort all the movies—from the Kryptonite-filled failures to the super-powered successes.
10. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
Starting at the bottom, this film is infamous for its low budget, cheesy special effects, and plot that’s really an anti-nuclear public service announcement rather than a superhero epic. Reeve’s Superman tries to destroy nuclear weapons from the Earth’s surface, but Gene Hackman’s Nuclear Man is campy rather than scary. Die-hard fans will even admit this one’s only for completists.
9. Superman III (1983)
Richard Pryor adds comic energy as a bumbling computer whiz corrupted by evil. The film goes whole-hog into slapstick, complete with a weather-controlling supercomputer and an evil Superman vs. Clark Kent showdown that’s its most memorable scene. Some highlights, certainly—but for the most part, it’s a patchwork affair.
8. Justice League (2017)
A troubled release to unify the DCEU didn’t quite work. With Zack Snyder leaving and Joss Whedon taking over, the movie was disjointed and uneven. Fans were disappointed, although it did spark the massive movement that led to the Snyder Cut.
7. Superman Returns (2006)
Brandon. Routh re-wraps the cape in a retro-addled remake. Kevin Spacey’s Lex Luthor. Is. Amazing. But. The. Slow. Pace. and. too. Much. Call-back. Reliance. Keep. It. Grounded. In the past. A. solid. Performance and imagery. But. Never. Truly. Soar.
6. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
The much-awaited battle between Batman and Superman was massive in proportions, but the dark approach by Zack Snyder and the complex plot alienated the viewers. The movie is action-packed and ambitious, but not a classic by any means.
5. Superman II (1980)
Christopher Reeve reprises his role to battle General Zod and his fellow Phantom Zone escapees. The higher stakes, the more fierce the battles, and Reeve’s weakness make Superman more relatable. The romance with Lois Lane is sweet, and the film still stands as one of the franchise’s best.
4. Man of Steel (2013)
Henry Cavill’s entry is a somber, visually heavy remake. Zack Snyder’s one-trick direction and Hans Zimmer’s sweeping score imbue the tale with mythic quality, even though the nonstop action and drained colors may not be to every taste. Cavill’s a look-alike hero in the flesh, although there’s a whiff of nostalgia for the radiance of previous incarnations.
3. Superman (1978)
The original. Christopher Reeve is casting perfection as Clark Kent and Superman, with Margot Kidder and Gene Hackman completing a still-iconic cast. With a balance of the right amount of romance, comedy, and action, together with the iconic music of John Williams’ score, this film set the bar for superhero films.
2. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Snyder Cut is a game-changer. Darker and longer and more unified than the 2017 cut, it gives Superman and the Justice League the dramatic depth they were deprived of. The longer CYborg and Steppenwolf storylines and surreal sequences make it have the comic book phenomenon actualized in living color.
1. Superman (2025, James Gunn)
The new one is an instant atop the tier. James Gunn brings warmth, humor, and comic-book charm to the narrative. Superman is kind and warm in David Corenswet, Lois Lane is clever and spiky in Rachel Brosnahan, and Luthor is wickedly marvelous in Nicholas Hoult. Cameos from secondary characters such as Mr. Terrific and Krypto are worth their weight in gold, and the new music by John Murphy and David Fleming is loyal to the originals but new. Gunn’s film strikes the perfect balance of fun, depth, and superhero spectacle.
From epic battles to heartfelt moments, these Superman films show the highs, lows, and everything in between. Whether you’re in it for the action, the romance, or just to see Superman punch a giant robot, there’s something here for every fan. Up, up, and away!