Superman Movies Ranked: Which Version of The Man of Steel is Best?

One of my favorite characters in all of comics is Superman. I think he's a really engaging look at humanity and the argument of nature versus nurture. But it's really tricky to adapt Superman into a movie because there's so much complexity to him, and so much ground to cover. Still, there are a few movies I think did it well. I'm really excited for James Gunn's version, but until we get that, these are the ones I really like. Let's dive in. Superman: The MovieThis is a movie you can put on when you're sad or in a bad mood. It can instantly turn it all around with its concentration on wonder and excitement. Widely regarded as a masterpiece and a benchmark for superhero films, Richard Donner's original is praised for its heartfelt storytelling, groundbreaking special effects for its time, and Christopher Reeve's iconic portrayal of both Clark Kent and Superman.Seriously, when he puts the glasses on, he becomes invisible. It's amazing. Superman II: The Richard Donner CutIt's kind of crazy to me that in almost 50 years, Donner was really the only director who seemed to totally know what we wanted from Superman. His sequel, despite a troubled production that saw him replaced by Richard Lester, is also really good. You can now find Donner's cut on home video, which is excellent. It successfully built on the first movie and brought us General Zod. It also offered a compelling human conflict with Superman seeing what a life without powers looks like. Man of SteelI remember the trailer for this movie blew me away. It had the themes and the voiceover, and it just swelled with hope and optimism. Zack Snyder's reboot introduced Henry Cavill as Superman and marked the beginning of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), which didn't go the way anyone wanted. This film proved divisive; some praised its visual spectacle, Cavill's performance, and fresh approach, while others criticized its darker tone, extensive destruction, and departure from the traditional hopeful portrayal.I liked that it took chances, but I wish that it focused more on the human side. Superman ReturnsI like Bryan Singer's homage to the Donner films. I think it has its heart in the right place, and I like Brandon Routh in the cape. It goes back into the complex ideas of Superman as a person and his relationship with Lois Lane, but I do think it becomes a little overwrought with the kid, and Spacey's Luthor doesn't feel like he has a great idea for an evil plot. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (The Director's Cut)Another divisive entry from Zack Snyder, I actually think the director's cut of this movie is much better than the one put into theaters. This is still a really sad movie about dead parents and the weight of the world on your back. When this movie shines, it's when it focuses on how hard it is to be Superman. It has ambitious themes and a visual style. But it doesn't quite live up to what the other movies in this selection deliver. Summing It All Up Superman is a tricky character, and I like that for the last few generations, people have tried to bring him to the big and small screen in the best ways they can. I really only think the first two movies in this list are ones I return to. I prefer what Smallville did with Superman, because you had more time to engage with him. But that's a different list. Let me know what you think in the comments.

May 15, 2025 - 20:00

Superman Movies Ranked: Which Version of The Man of Steel is Best?

One of my favorite characters in all of comics is Superman. I think he's a really engaging look at humanity and the argument of nature versus nurture.

But it's really tricky to adapt Superman into a movie because there's so much complexity to him, and so much ground to cover.

Still, there are a few movies I think did it well. I'm really excited for James Gunn's version, but until we get that, these are the ones I really like.

Let's dive in.

Superman: The Movie

This is a movie you can put on when you're sad or in a bad mood. It can instantly turn it all around with its concentration on wonder and excitement.

Widely regarded as a masterpiece and a benchmark for superhero films, Richard Donner's original is praised for its heartfelt storytelling, groundbreaking special effects for its time, and Christopher Reeve's iconic portrayal of both Clark Kent and Superman.

Seriously, when he puts the glasses on, he becomes invisible. It's amazing.

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

It's kind of crazy to me that in almost 50 years, Donner was really the only director who seemed to totally know what we wanted from Superman.

His sequel, despite a troubled production that saw him replaced by Richard Lester, is also really good.

You can now find Donner's cut on home video, which is excellent. It successfully built on the first movie and brought us General Zod. It also offered a compelling human conflict with Superman seeing what a life without powers looks like.

Man of Steel

I remember the trailer for this movie blew me away. It had the themes and the voiceover, and it just swelled with hope and optimism.

Zack Snyder's reboot introduced Henry Cavill as Superman and marked the beginning of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), which didn't go the way anyone wanted.

This film proved divisive; some praised its visual spectacle, Cavill's performance, and fresh approach, while others criticized its darker tone, extensive destruction, and departure from the traditional hopeful portrayal.

I liked that it took chances, but I wish that it focused more on the human side.

Superman Returns

I like Bryan Singer's homage to the Donner films. I think it has its heart in the right place, and I like Brandon Routh in the cape.

It goes back into the complex ideas of Superman as a person and his relationship with Lois Lane, but I do think it becomes a little overwrought with the kid, and Spacey's Luthor doesn't feel like he has a great idea for an evil plot.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (The Director's Cut)

Another divisive entry from Zack Snyder, I actually think the director's cut of this movie is much better than the one put into theaters.

This is still a really sad movie about dead parents and the weight of the world on your back. When this movie shines, it's when it focuses on how hard it is to be Superman. It has ambitious themes and a visual style. But it doesn't quite live up to what the other movies in this selection deliver.

Summing It All Up

Superman is a tricky character, and I like that for the last few generations, people have tried to bring him to the big and small screen in the best ways they can.

I really only think the first two movies in this list are ones I return to. I prefer what Smallville did with Superman, because you had more time to engage with him.

But that's a different list.

Let me know what you think in the comments.