Every Superman Movie, Ranked From Worst To Best

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Key Takeaways

  • Superman is arguably the most iconic superhero, embodying all the qualities of a great hero.
  • Superman movies have had varied success, with some being plagued by behind-the-scenes issues.
  • The original Superman movie starring Christopher Reeve remains unmatched in his portrayal of the iconic hero.

As a child of the 80s, I was raised on the classic Superman films starring Christopher Reeve. To me, those movies were more than just superhero tales; they were a part of my childhood, a shared experience with friends and family. So when I sat down to revisit this list, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia.

Among Batman, Spider-Man, and other iconic superheroes, it’s difficult to overlook Superman as the one who has left an indelible mark on popular culture. As the pioneer of modern superheroes, he continues to embody the essence of what makes a hero great. He boasts an impressive array of powers and serves as the epitome of good and unwavering optimism in the minds of many.

Zack Snyder has predominantly shaped darker and introspective portrayals of Superman, marking a significant departure from the earlier, lighter depiction seen in Richard Donner’s classic. Sadly, fans never got to witness Nicholas Cage embodying the Man of Steel, but among those fortunate enough to don the iconic red cape, who did it most convincingly? Here are the top live-action Superman films ranked from least preferred to favorite.

8. Superman 4: The Quest For Peace

Franchise Killer

  • Release Date: 1987
  • Cast: Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Jon Cryer, Jackie Cooper
  • Director: Sidney J Furie
  • Rating: PG
  • Studio: Cannon Group Inc.

As a gamer, I can tell you that the making of “Superman 4: The Quest For Peace” had its fair share of challenges off-camera. The financial straits of the production studio meant we had to tighten our belts, trimming the budget just before filming began. To make matters worse, the test screenings brought a torrent of criticism that didn’t spare even the smallest details. Consequently, not only did the budget suffer significant cuts, but so did many aspects of the final product.

After a puzzling third installment, it may not have helped clarify matters, and instead of serving as a stimulating critique on nuclear armament, it became dull, disjointed, and halted the series for several decades.

7. Superman 3

Not Another Superman Movie

  • Release Date: 1983
  • Cast: Christopher Reeve, Richard Pryor, Jackie Cooper
  • Director: Richard Lester
  • Rating: PG
  • Studio: Dovemead Ltd.

In “Superman 3”, it seems the main focus wasn’t entirely on Superman’s heroic deeds, but rather on the character Richard Pryor’s Gus Gorman. While Superman is preoccupied with routine tasks and battling his own inner demons, a significant portion of the film revolves around Gus Gorman.

The humorous, over-the-top style of the film seems to mock the first two movies in a playful way. It’s an amusing but ultimately unsatisfying viewing experience. In terms of live-action Superman films, Superman 3 is arguably the weakest, though it has the advantage of being released before the subsequent sequel that managed to disappoint both audiences and critics even more.

6. Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice

Crossover Event of The Summer

As a devoted fan, I’ve got to admit that “Batman V Superman” leans heavily into the action-packed, larger-than-life style that Zack Snyder is known for, drawing parallels from his past works such as “Dawn of the Dead” and “300.” However, it stumbles in execution and seems overly focused on expanding the franchise rather than delivering a cohesive storyline.

Instead of imitating the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s success, this film introduces a number of characters that are more like brief appearances rather than fully developed roles, seemingly included for potential spin-offs that may never materialize. The overall result is a disjointed and unclear narrative, and the resolution, which hinges on characters sharing similar parental names, has become an amusing internet topic.

5. Justice League

Super Friends Assemble

The challenges faced by the production of the “Justice League” are widely known, as it shares similar struggles with another Superman-related project. With Snyder leaving the project partway through, Joss Whedon stepped in, a figure well-respected among fans but with a distinctly different vision for the movie. Whedon seems to have drawn inspiration from somewhere between “Superman 3” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), opting for a more lighthearted approach that starkly contrasts Snyder’s darker, moody style.

In the end, fans found themselves in an unfortunate position where they got a mix of the worst aspects from each world and were left puzzled due to an excessive amount of Cyborg’s story being omitted during editing. This left the planned narrative that aimed to connect the series as a whole unclear since Cyborg played a crucial role within it. However, fans’ persistent calls for change eventually led to the creation of a so-called Snyder cut, which was more coherent but may not have been worth the extended wait.

4. Man Of Steel

Superman Dark

Among all of Synder’s Superman films, the one that received the most acclaim is also the most debated, as it has been criticized for attempting to follow the dark, reboot trend started by Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy too closely. However, the problem lies in the fact that this tone didn’t fit well with the Superman property, resulting in a stark contrast from the beloved character as fans know him.

From murdering his foe in cold blood to causing millions of dollars of reckless property damage. Snyder did attempt to address this as Batman’s motivation in Batman vs Superman, but it was a bad foot to start the new franchise on and perhaps those warnings should have been heeded to prevent the above.

3. Superman Returns

A Return To Form

  • Release Date: 2006
  • Cast: Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, James Marsden
  • Director: Bryan Singer
  • Rating: 12A
  • Studio: Warner Bros.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t a film starring Bryan Singer and Kevin Spacey that faced the most turmoil in production, but rather Superman Returns, directed by Joss Whedon, which surprisingly didn’t garner much controversy beyond its connection to the infamous pair.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel right at home with this classic revival of an iconic figure. The mastermind himself, Lex Luthor, aspires to conquer the world, but Superman steps in, saving the day and reigniting his bond with Lois Lane. It’s a solid, reliable story that delivers on its promises, though it may not exactly set the world on fire with its excitement factor.

2. Superman 2

A Worthy Successor

Navigating a Superman film seems like taking a bitter sip from a magical cup, given that it’s another production plagued by set issues, directorial changes, and extensive re-filming. This time around, it was accompanied by the intense legal dispute between the studio and the iconic actor Marlon Brando, who sued for unpaid royalties from the initial film. As a result, his scenes were excised from the subsequent sequel.

Indeed, the reemergence of the formidable adversary, General Zod (portrayed by Terrance Stamp), significantly enhanced the tension and visual grandeur in this follow-up film compared to its predecessor. As a result, it managed to create a sequel that continues to resonate fondly with fans.

1. Superman: The Movie

Man of Steel

Regardless of the progress made in cinema and technology, no Superman film has managed to surpass the brilliance of the original starring Christopher Reeve. While the film may not appear as fresh today, particularly with regards to its special effects, there are aspects that can be attributed to the societal norms of the era that make it an enjoyable family movie.

From the perspective of any dedicated gamer, you might put it like this: “In a world not unlike my favorite gaming universe, I find myself following the epic tale of a character who wasn’t born here. Known as Superman, he lands on Earth and is raised among us, eventually facing off against his sworn enemy, Lex Luthor, in an iconic battle that continues to outshine all others in the annals of comic book lore.

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2024-12-11 07:54