He’s an icon, he’s an alien, and he’s an American who represents the ideals of humanity through his actions and character. It’s been over 80 years since his debut in Action Comics #1 and his blue bodysuit, red cape, boots and underpants are still instantly recognizable among the growing roster of comic book characters the general public is familiar with. Superman remains the most powerful, iconic, and misunderstood superhero, thanks in part to his perceived perfection. The super fast, super strong and invulnerable alien jerry seal and Joe Shuster created all those years ago has since seen its mythology and list of powers skyrocket to satirical proportions.
With more than 1000 numbers action comics, the Man of Steel has been adapted into several television, radio and film series. Superman films dating back to the iconic 1978 iteration have grossed over two and a half billion dollars combined over nearly five decades. With Henry Cavill returning as Superman at the end of black adam, and Cavill revealing he’ll be returning as a superhero in the future, it’s time to figure out where the character has been on the big screen before. For the uninitiated, the production order of these films is the recommended viewing order.
Superman movies in order of release
First, here are the Superman movies in order of release.
Superman – December 15, 1978
Superman 2 – June 19, 1981
Superman 3 – June 17, 1983
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace – July 24, 1987
The Return of Superman – June 28, 2006
Steel man – June 14, 2013
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – March 25, 2016
Justice League – November 17, 2017
Zack Snyder’s Justice League – March 18, 2021
Superman movies in chronological order
The era of Christopher Reeve
Superman (1978)
With a story of Mario Puzoauthor of book and film The Godfathermusic by John Williams (star wars), and breathtaking special effects, Superman set the standard for superhero cinema for decades to come. Director Richard Donner in partnership with the animation team and the director of photography, Geoffrey Unsworthbehind 2001: A Space Odysseyto reproduce certain visual effects techniques for the opening of the film. Christopher Reeve embodied the clumsy milquetoast Clark Kent and the confident and charming Superman beyond any parallel in this origin story. It is also the introduction of Krypton, Zod (Terence stamp), and Hackman Genefrom Lex Luthor to the series.
Superman 2 (1980)
Manufacturing for Superman 2 was well advanced Superman (1978) came out. Due to its dedication to the upcoming release Superman film, Richard Donner was let go as director during the final stage of filming and replaced by Richard Lester (The three Musketeers). The production was further complicated by the death of legendary cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth in 1978. Yet the film is a direct sequel to Supermanand it features the Kryptonian villains introduced in Superman, as well as a return from Gene Hackman. The sequel received a recut in 2006, dubbed Superman II: The Donner Cut, which more accurately reflects Richard Donner’s original vision for the film. Either version will demonstrate why Superman 2 remains one of the best superhero movies ever made.
Superman 3 (1983)
The first entry in the untouched series by Donner, Puzo or Unsworth, Superman 3 tries to split screen time between Christopher Reeve, Richard Prior, and a villainous Christopher Reeve. It’s a wackier iteration that attempts to incorporate more humor into the already rather lighthearted series. It does away with the surreal, dreamlike presentation of the previous two as it attempts to chart a new course for the franchise.
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
The final and shortest entry in Christopher Reeve’s tenure as Superman, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace follows the Man of Steel on his journey to rid the world of nuclear weapons. Framed during the Cold War, Superman sets out to denuclearize humanity while his nemesis Lex Luthor, still played by Gene Hackman, once again breaks out of prison. Luthor creates nuclear man (mark the pillow), a solar-powered soldier, in his fight against Superman. Frankly, the film isn’t highly regarded and is seen as an unceremonious end to Christopher Reeve’s portrayal of the character.
Brandon Routh’s film
The Return of Superman (2006)
The Return of Superman ignores the continuity of the last two films and is meant to be a spiritual sequel to Superman and Superman 2so chronologically it might fit right after Superman 2, but then you wouldn’t have to count Reeve’s subsequent films. In The Return of SupermanSuperman returns to Earth after a five-year journey to see what’s left of Krypton, to discover Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) was released from prison in his absence and is plotting something sinister. It was a box office success generating almost $400 million in worldwide sales, but was also extremely expensive (it cost at least $200 million), so The Return of Superman was not extremely profitable. Brandon RouthThe turn of the Son of Krypton is still celebrated by fans of the film who received another look at his Superman on The CW. Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover event. Unfortunately, The Return of Superman became more problematic over time due to allegations of predatory behavior by the director Brian Singer and star Kevin Spacey.
The Snyder Universe
Steel man (2012)
The first post-Superman movieBlack Knight the era of superhero movies is the hit sci-fi show, Steel man. Realized by Zack Snyder (watchmen, 300), Steel man showcases all of its branded styles and features Henry Cavill to the world as Superman. The film’s first origin story since Superman (1978) embraces the sci-fi side of Superman and portrays him more realistically than earlier treatments. A star-studded cast, with a focused and wicked performance from Michael Shannona beautiful Hans Zimmer score, and jaw-dropping visual effects made this more austere adaptation an explosive setup for the planned Snyder verse.
Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2015)
Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice is the ambitious sequel to Steel manand it features Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Batman (Ben Affleck), Cyborg (Ray Fisher), The flash (Ezra Miller), Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) to the Snyder verse. Set shortly after the devastating Kryptonian assault on Metropolis in Steel man, Superman is on his own as a divine alien unceremoniously showing up across the world to help and save whenever he is available. The U.S. government attempts to quarrel in its efforts due to geopolitical concerns, and Superman is hunted down by his longtime comic book nemesis Lex Luthor. Luthor manipulates a late-term Batman and has just revealed Superman in a super fight before unleashing Doomsday, an alien abomination, on Metropolis. Controversy still surrounds Batman’s dark and killer tone, but Affleck isn’t the first killer Batman. A dubbed director’s version Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition enhances the theatrical work by adding the extra 30 minutes this movie needs to balance the weight of its ambition.
Justice League (2017)
Another, Possibly Unceremonious Ending For Superman Is Coming In 2017 Justice League. In the weeks following Superman’s death, Bruce Wayne sets out to assemble a band of heroes to fight off an impending alien invasion. A director swap towards the end of filming, due to tragedy, saw Zack Snyder leave the project and Joss Whedon (avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron) step up to complete it. The end result of Superman’s rewrites, reshoots, and CGI-rubbed mustache creates a messy trilogy. Post-release investigations into Whedon’s on-set behavior as well as allegations of misconduct by several Justice League cast members, plus the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League– make this movie even worse.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Justice League was so different from previous footage used for marketing material that some fans began begging to see Snyder’s original vision for the film, before he left early in post-production. And after a few years of refusal by Warner Bros., HBO Max announced in 2020 that it would allow Snyder to finish and leave Zack Snyder’s Justice League. In 2021, viewers got to witness Superman’s resurrection in a whole new light. The Kryptonian who sacrificed himself at the end of BvS is at peace as the protector of Earth as he confronts the New Gods for the first time. Although he only arrives halfway through the film, his absence is almost a character in itself. He always rushes to save the day, not only with the power of his alien abilities, but by being the hero who inspired the people of Earth to join him in the fight to protect the planet.
Where to Watch Superman Movies Online Streaming
The following Superman movies are currently streaming on HBO Max:
For even more Superman stuff to enjoy, search Superman and Lois on the CW, the recently wrapped DC animated film series set in the New 52 Timeline, or Superman: The Animated Serieswhich are also streaming on HBO Max.