Every Superman Movie, Ranked by Box Office

Key Takeaways

Superman is legendary, but not every movie has matched his super status at the box office.
Christopher Reeve’s Superman still stands tall, setting the standard for all superhero films.
Batman v Superman proves that adding Batman to the mix makes box office magic, even if critics disagree.

As a long-time admirer of the Man of Steel, I must say that each iteration of Superman on the big screen has brought its own unique charm and challenges.

I’ve always believed it without a shadow of a doubt: Superman is the ultimate superhero. If not for this legendary DC Comics figure, we might not have had as many winged do-gooders gracing the pages of comics or captivating us on the big screen. As we celebrate Superman’s 86th birthday, I can hardly wait to witness James Gunn’s fresh take on this iconic DC Comics hero when “Superman” hits theaters on July 11th, 2025.

As we eagerly anticipate the upcoming Superman film hitting the big screen, it’s interesting to reflect on how past Superman movies have fared at the box office and consider whether James Gunn’s rendition for the DCU can match the success of iconic characters like Batman or those from Marvel. While Superman is undeniably popular, will the highest-earning Superman film manage to rival their box office numbers?

7 Superman 4: The Quest for Peace

Worldwide Gross: $30,281,020

Release Date: 24 July 1987
Director: Sidney J. Furie
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 10%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 16%

In a noble effort for world peace, Superman takes on the mission of disarming the nuclear weapons of leading nations. However, this global action does not escape attention, and as a result, Lex Luthor constructs Nuclear Man – an adversary with powers equal to Superman’s own, serving as the formidable antagonist in the final Christopher Reeve Superman film.

The film “Superman 4: Peace on Earth” seemed to suggest that Superman might need a break from the silver screen. Unfortunately, it didn’t resonate well with audiences or critics, and its underwhelming performance at the box office underscores this. Factors contributing to its lackluster reception included a dull villain, a subpar script, budgetary issues due to Cannon Films, and an overall cheap feel that was more reminiscent of an early TV series than a movie.

6 Superman 3

Worldwide Gross: $80,250,623

Release Date: 19 July 1983
Director: Richard Lester
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 29%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 23%

In a new twist of events, Superman steps in against a brilliant computer whiz who vows retaliation after thwarting his schemes. Although Christopher Reeve continues to impress, the fond memories of Superman 3 are somewhat tarnished by its excessive use of camp and humor, which the story leans on heavily.

1983 might have marked a decline in public interest for Superman, as “Superman 3” didn’t live up to the franchise’s past successes or adoration. Unlike its predecessors, “Superman 3” was less expensive and aimed to repeat the formula of earlier films without introducing any fresh ideas. Additionally, it incorporated unwanted slapstick humor, featuring comedy legends like Richard Pryor, which some viewers may have found out of place in a Superman film.

5 Superman 2

Worldwide Gross: $216,385,706

Release Date: 9 April 1981
Director: Richard Lester
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 83%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 76%

In order to be with Lois Lane, Clark Kent relinquishes his superpowers, leading him to confront the repercussions of a world devoid of Superman. As three malevolent Kryptonians arrive on Earth to instigate their domination, the movie “Superman 2” offers an entertaining follow-up, albeit one that’s slightly disorganized due to a change in directors. Originally intended to be more serious, Richard Donner was replaced by Richard Lester, resulting in a more lighthearted and fun sequel than initially planned.

In 1980, the film “Superman 2” earned a good amount at the box office; however, it didn’t come close to the success of its original. It remains the best adaptation for bringing comic book characters to life on screen, and children will undoubtedly enjoy it enough to ensure that in today’s money, “Superman 2” would have grossed approximately $800 million in 2024.

4 Superman: The Movie

Worldwide Gross: $300,200,000

Release Date: 13 December 1978
Director: Richard Donner
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 94%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 86%

“Superman: The Movie” is widely regarded as one of the best family/adventure films, serving as a model for how Superman should be portrayed on-screen and beyond. This movie tells the story of Kal-El’s origins and his transformation into the friendly and appealing Superman we all adore, with Christopher Reeve’s charm adding to the character’s appeal.

1978 saw Superman achieve great success, a fact that’s hardly surprising given the intense sci-fi atmosphere following the release of Star Wars in 1977. As a beloved comic book character among children, Superman already had a strong fanbase. The movie was entertaining and full of lightness, making it easy for audiences to embrace the idea of a man flying. Accounting for inflation, the original Superman film would have grossed over a billion dollars in today’s box office market.

3 Superman Returns

Worldwide Gross: $391,081,192

Release Date: 14 July 2006
Director: Bryan Singer
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 74%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 60%

Following in the footsteps left by Christopher Reeve’s iconic Superman character, Brandon Routh dons the red boots, as Superman makes his return to Earth following a five-year absence, during which he investigates the remnants of Krypton. With Superman having been away for such a long time, it falls upon him to demonstrate once more that he is the hero Metropolis requires and desires, and to convey to a world in transition that there remains a place for a hero like Superman.

Revisiting Superman’s tenure as Earth’s protector and the allure of Metropolis, Superman Returns delivers a relatively convincing portrayal of the superhero, with Brandon Routh slipping into the red boots comfortably. Regrettably, the production costs were excessive compared to the movie’s box office earnings, and scenes outside of Superman’s heroics fell a bit flat.

2 Man of Steel

Worldwide Gross: $670,145,518

Release Date: 12 June 2013
Director: Zack Snyder
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 56%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 75%

In a fresh new take, Superman makes his comeback on the silver screen, with Henry Cavill donning the crimson boots and cape. This revamped version presents a more somber side of Superman, as Cavill steps into the role previously held by Christopher Reeve. The narrative unfolds as Clark Kent unearths his Kryptonian lineage and assumes the mantle of the red-caped savior to prevent war-mongering Kryptonians like General Zod from conquering his world. The storyline offers pulse-pounding action sequences and poignant flashbacks detailing Clark’s upbringing.

Man of Steel follows closely on the heels of The Dark Knight Rises, with Christopher Nolan playing a significant role in the storyline and as producer at the beginning of the DC Extended Universe. Reviving Superman was no small feat, given that many critics had criticized earlier portrayals for their lack of humor and vibrant colors. However, this reboot aimed to give Superman a new, serious makeover, departing from his previous representations.

1 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Worldwide Gross: $874,360,194

Release Date: 25 March 2016
Director: Zack Snyder
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 29%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 63%

In “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” the realms of Superman and Batman merge for the very first time in live-action film. Known as the World’s Greatest Heroes, their initial shared movie experience within the DC Extended Universe will involve a monumental confrontation. An aged Batman grapples with the moral dilemma of ending Superman’s life, viewing him as a danger to all mankind, while Superman struggles against a species that rejects him and another that worships him.

The most financially successful Superman movie is Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, demonstrating that when Batman is involved, it tends to be a box office hit. Regrettably, no Superman film has yet surpassed the billion-dollar mark, with Batman v Superman falling short by approximately $130 million. This underperformance could be due to several factors, such as its low ratings from critics and audiences, and the unconventional choice to make Superman less central and more somber in the film.

2024-08-29 15:34