Superman stands as one of the most enduring and iconic comic book superheroes, first created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Nearly 90 years later, the character continues to inspire stories across multiple media, including a strong legacy in superhero cinema. In anticipation of the upcoming James Gunn Superman movie, this article ranks all major theatrically released Superman films according to their quality and impact, reflecting on how each one has contributed to the character’s legacy.
Any film featuring Superman as a main character counts in this ranking, including Justice League entries, but excluding related spins like Supergirl or The Flash. Only theatrically released films from Richard Donner’s original Superman (1978) onward are considered, leaving behind earlier serials and minor features. Below is a list of Superman films ranked from worst to best, examining their strengths and shortcomings before looking ahead to Gunn’s anticipated take on the character.
10. Justice League (2017): A Troubled Attempt
Zack Snyder’s 2017 Justice League was plagued by production challenges, resulting in a final product that failed to impress audiences or critics. The film had a hefty budget of $300 million, but its troubled development—marked by Snyder’s departure due to a family tragedy, Warner Bros. mandated reshoots, and Joss Whedon’s script revisions—led to tonal conflicts that undercut the story’s impact.
Superman’s character suffered notably from these changes, with the digital removal of Henry Cavill’s mustache creating a widely criticized visual effect. Beyond appearance, Superman’s role in the narrative is minimal, reducing the Man of Steel to a passive presence rather than a driving force in the story. The final film feels disconnected and lacks creative cohesion, often described as a corporate assembly devoid of passion or vision.
9. Superman 4: The Quest for Peace (1987): A Flawed but Fun Misfire
Sidney J. Furie’s Superman 4: The Quest for Peace is notorious for its poor special effects and an overall sense of careless filmmaking. The film’s blue screen effects are outdated and repetitive, and it invents new, implausible abilities for Superman, such as making large objects vanish or repairing the Great Wall of China with a stare.
Despite its many mistakes, the film has gained a peculiar charm as a “so-bad-it’s-good” cult classic. Its failures in continuity and technical execution create an unintentional comedic experience that some viewers find entertaining for ironic enjoyment, much like other famously flawed movies such as The Room or Samurai Cop.
8. Superman 3 (1983): Comedy Overload Dilutes the Story
Richard Lester’s Superman 3 shifts focus heavily towards Richard Pryor’s comedic character, Gus Gorman, with elaborate slapstick sequences that often outstay their welcome. While humor is not inherently incompatible with Superman, in this film it overshadows much of the main plot. Clark Kent’s storyline, including his connection with Lana Lang and an unusual “evil Superman” subplot, lacks sufficient development and resolution.
The film struggles to balance its comedic elements with the more serious aspects of Superman’s character, leaving the movie feeling uneven. Despite this, it features some interesting ideas that are unfortunately underexplored due to the dominance of Pryor’s antics.
7. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (Ultimate Edition, 2016): An Ambitious but Flawed Epic
Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman initially faced harsh criticism but has since cultivated a dedicated fanbase for its bold and serious approach. The film emphasizes dark aesthetics and a moody atmosphere, showcasing Snyder’s distinctive style through rain-soaked scenes, muted colors, and intense character study.
Still, the film’s tone is often undercut by awkward moments like the infamous “Save Martha” scene, wherein Batman abruptly abandons his lethal intent after hearing the name of Superman’s mother—a plot pivot that many viewers found unconvincing. Nonetheless, the movie’s experimentation within the superhero genre marks an important departure from traditional, lighter fare.
6. Superman Returns (2006): A Passion Project with Uneven Execution
Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns clearly seeks to honor Richard Donner’s original Superman. It reflects a strong nostalgia and admiration for the source material, accompanied by standout performances, especially from Brandon Routh, who channels Christopher Reeve’s charm, and Kevin Spacey, whose Lex Luthor balances camp and menace.
However, the film grapples with inconsistent tone, attempting to pair old-fashioned optimism with darker, more serious themes reminiscent of Singer’s later X-Men films. This results in a disjointed narrative that never fully satisfies either goal, leading to mixed critical reception despite its ambitions.
5. Man of Steel (2013): Dark Beginnings for a New Era
Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel launched the DC Extended Universe with a new, serious take on Superman. The film offers powerful visuals, including the memorable Arctic flying scene accompanied by Hans Zimmer’s stirring score. Yet, despite its nearly two-and-a-half-hour runtime, character development feels limited.
The motivations of Clark Kent and Lois Lane are sometimes unclear, with only brief glimpses into their inner worlds and relationships. While subsequent films like Batman v Superman and Snyder’s Justice League deepen these portrayals, this initial entry leaves much character-building for later, prioritizing spectacle over emotional depth.
4. Superman 2 (1981): A Classic with Strong Villains and Romance
Though Superman 2 encountered production difficulties similar to Justice League 2017, the film nonetheless emerged as a critical and commercial success. Returning cast members elevate the movie, with Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor standing out as a campy yet memorable antagonist, while General Zod and his cohorts provide the first villains to physically challenge Superman.
At the film’s core is the romantic relationship between Clark Kent and Lois Lane, brought to life by the chemistry of Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder. While these two narrative strands—the romance and the villainous invasion—sometimes run in parallel rather than intertwining, both remain engaging and key to the film’s enduring appeal.
3. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021): Restoration and Expansion
The 2021 Snyder Cut significantly improves on the original Justice League by expanding its runtime to over four hours, which allows for deeper character exploration and richer worldbuilding. Characters like Cyborg and The Flash receive much-needed development, and the removal of awkward humor aligns the tone more closely with Snyder’s darker intentions.
Superman gains greater emotional weight in this version, with more scenes involving Lois and Ma Kent. His return to aid the team against Steppenwolf is made more impactful, though the film’s excessive slow-motion sequences and recurring musical motifs sometimes hinder pacing. Despite these imperfections, this director’s cut offers a more complete and passionate vision.
2. Superman 2: The Richard Donner Cut (2006): Deeper Emotional Resonance
The Richard Donner Cut of Superman 2 is widely regarded as superior to the theatrical version, primarily for its inclusion of previously missing footage such as Marlon Brando’s portrayal of Jor-El. Brando’s presence adds emotional depth and enriches the father-son dynamic between Jor-El and Clark Kent, a thematic layer absent in Richard Lester’s cut.
Though some scenes like Lois firing a gun at Clark show technical roughness due to differing footage quality and age differences in actors’ appearances, the overall emotional impact of Donner’s vision elevates the film. It provides a glimpse into what the movie could have fully been had Donner remained in charge of the entire production.
1. Superman (1978): The Definitive Superman Film
Richard Donner’s Superman is not only the best Superman film but also a milestone in superhero cinema. The film captures the essence of Superman’s character as a beacon of hope, selflessness, and idealism. Half a century later, its special effects and action sequences retain their effectiveness and grandeur.
The depiction of Krypton’s destruction is particularly striking, establishing the mythos of Kal-El as the Last Son of Krypton with gravitas. The film also masterfully portrays Clark’s journey of overcoming loneliness and embracing his identity with the loving support of his adoptive parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent. It set the standard for blockbuster superhero movies and paved the way for iconic franchises such as Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man and Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy.
The Road Ahead: James Gunn’s Contribution to Superman’s Legacy
As James Gunn prepares to release his new Superman film, expectations are high that it will honor the Man of Steel’s legacy while bringing fresh vision to the character. Following in the footsteps of the films ranked above, Gunn’s project aims to merge tradition with modern storytelling, continuing the symbol of hope that Superman represents.
Given the varied history of Superman movies, from the critically acclaimed classics to the more flawed entries, Gunn’s work could redefine the character’s cinematic future. Fans and critics alike await the new film with anticipation, hoping it will remind audiences why Superman remains one of the most beloved superheroes of all time.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and has stated that prayer still matters to him, but he also describes himself as “somewhat anti-religion.”
Q. Why did James Gunn leave the MCU?
A. Alan Horn, the Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, announced that James’ inappropriate comments on Twitter clash with the studio’s values, leading to their decision to end their partnership with him.
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving MCU?
A. Once Gunn took on the role of co-CEO of DC Studios, he focused solely on that company, leaving Marvel Studios behind. Gunn, who wrote and directed the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, built strong relationships with the film’s cast.
