Superman, the DC superhero created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, made his comic book debut in Action Comics #1 in 1938. In the years since, he has soared into the public consciousness through radio serials, television shows, video games, and movies.
The red-caped hero made his first movie appearance in 1951. Superman and the Mole Men starred George Reeves as the Kryptonian hero, and the actor continued in the role in The Adventures of Superman television series. Christoper Reeve (no relation) made the role his own in 1978’s Superman and after he starred in several sequels, Brandon Routh and most recently Henry Cavill donned the legendary red and blue costume.
Another Superman film will be hitting theatres on July 11, 2025. Titled Superman: Legacy, it will star David Corenswet as the titular hero.
Below, we list all of the Superman films that have been given a theatrical release. As such, this guide does not include the animated Superman/Justice League films that have been given a straight-to-video or streaming release. Also absent from this list is 1984’s Supergirl, as Superman didn’t make an appearance in that critically derided film due to Christoper Reeve’s decision not to reprise his most famous role.
Superman and the Mole Men (1951)
US Release Date: November 23, 1951
Worldwide Box Office: $275,000
Director: Lee Sholem
Metascore: N/A
Main Cast:
George Reeves (Superman), Phyllis Coates (Lois Lane), Jeff Corey (Luke Benson), Billy Curtis (Mole Man), John T. Bambury (Mole Man)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
When underground beings explore the surface world from a deep oil well and inadvertently cause a panic, only Superman can prevent a tragedy.
Super Quote:
Superman – You’re not going to shoot those little creatures. In the first place, they haven’t done you any harm. In the second place, they may be radioactive.
Superman
US Release Date: December 15, 1978
Worldwide Box Office: $300.5 million
Director: Richard Donner
Metascore: 82
Main Cast:
Christopher Reeve (Superman), Margot Kidder (Lois Lane), Gene Hackman (Lex Luthor), Marlon Brando (Jor-El), Ned Beatty (Otis), Jackie Cooper (Perry White), Susannah York (Lara), Marc McClure (Jimmy Olsen)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
An alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive home’s first and greatest superhero.
Super Quote:
Superman – I’m here to fight for truth, and justice, and the American way.
Superman II
US Release Date: June 19, 1981
Worldwide Box Office: $190.4 million
Director: Richard Lester/Richard Donner
Metascore: 83
Main Cast:
Christopher Reeve (Superman), Gene Hackman (Lex Luthor), Margot Kidder (Lois Lane), Ned Beatty (Otis), Jackie Cooper (Perry White), Sarah Douglas (Ursa), Terence Stamp (Zod), Jack O’Halloran (Non), Marc McClure (Jimmy Olsen)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.
Super Quote:
The President – This is your President. On behalf of my country and in the name of the other leaders of the world with whom I have today consulted, I hereby abdicate all authority and control over this planet to General Zod. Only by following all his directives will the lives of millions be spared…
Superman III
US Release Date: June 17, 1983
Worldwide Box Office: $80.2 million
Directors: Richard Lester
Metascore: 44
Main Cast:
Christopher Reeve (Superman), Richard Pryor (Gus Gorman), Margot Kidder (Lois Lane), Marc McClure (Jimmy Olsen), Annette O’Toole (Lana Lang), Robert Vaughan (Ross Webster), Annie Ross (Vera)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
Synthetic kryptonite laced with tar splits Superman in two: good Clark Kent and bad Man of Steel.
Super Quote:
Ross – I ask you to kill Superman, and you’re telling me you couldn’t even do that one, simple thing.
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
US Release Date: July 24, 1987
Worldwide Box Office: $36.7 million
Director: Sidney J. Furie
Metascore: 24
Main Cast:
Christopher Reeve (Superman), Gene Hackman (Lex Luthor), Margot Kidder (Lois Lane), Jackie Cooper (Perry White), Jon Cryer (Lenny), Marc McClure (Jimmy Olsen), Mark Pillow (Nuclear Man)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
The Man of Steel crusades for nuclear disarmament and meets Lex Luthor’s latest creation, Nuclear Man.
Super Quote:
Superman – And there will be peace. There will be peace when the people of the world, want it so badly, that their governments will have no choice but to give it to them. I just wish you could all see the Earth the way that I see it. Because when you really look at it, it’s just one world.
Superman Returns
US Release Date: June 30, 2006
Worldwide Box Office: $391.1 million
Director: Bryan Singer
Metascore: 72
Main Cast:
Brandon Routh (Superman), Kevin Spacey (Lex Luthor), Kate Bosworth (Lois Lane), James Marsden (Richard White), Frank Langella (Perry White), Parker Posey (Kitty Kowalski), Sam Huntington (Jimmy Olsen), Eva Marie Saint (Martha Kent), Tristan Lake Leabu (Jason White)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
Superman returns to Earth after spending five years in space examining his homeworld Krypton. But he finds things have changed while he was gone, and he must once again prove himself important to the world.
Super Quote:
Superman (to Jason) – You will be different, sometimes you’ll feel like an outcast, but you’ll never be alone. You will make my strength your own. You will see my life through your eyes, as your life will be seen through mine. The son becomes the father and the father becomes the son.
Man Of Steel
US Release Date: June 14, 2013
Worldwide Box Office: $668 million
Director: Zack Snyder
Metascore: 55
Main Cast:
Henry Cavill (Superman), Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Michael Shannon (Zod), Diane Lane (Martha Kent), Russell Crowe (Jor-El), Kevin Costner (Jonathan Kent)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
An alien child is evacuated from his dying world and sent to Earth to live among humans. His peace is threatened when other survivors of his home planet invade Earth.
Super Quote:
Jor-El – You will give the people of Earth an ideal to strive towards. They will race behind you, they will stumble, they will fall. But in time, they will join you in the sun, Kal. In time, you will help them accomplish wonders.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
US Release Date: March 26, 2016
Worldwide Box Office: $872.7 million
Director: Zack Snyder
Metascore: 44
Main Cast:
Ben Affleck (Batman), Henry Cavill (Superman), Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Jesse Eisenberg (Lex Luthor), Diane Lane (Marth Kent), Laurence Fishburne (Perry White), Jeremy Irons (Alfred), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
Batman is manipulated by Lex Luthor to fear Superman. Superman´s existence is meanwhile dividing the world and he is framed for murder during an international crisis. The heroes clash and force the neutral Wonder Woman to reemerge.
Super Quote:
Superman (to Batman) – Next time they shine your light in the sky, don’t go to it. The Bat is dead. Bury it. Consider this mercy.
The Lego Batman Movie
US Release Date: February 10, 2017
Worldwide Box Office: $312 million
Director: Chris McKay
Metascore: 75
Main Cast:
Channing Tatum (Superman), Will Arnett (Batman), Michael Cera (Robin), Rosario Dawson (Batgirl), Ralph Fiennes (Alfred), Zach Galifianakis (Joker), Jenny Slate (Harley Quinn), Jason Mantzoukas (Scarecrow), Conan O’Brien (Riddler), Doug Benson (Bane), Zoë Kravitz (Catwoman)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
A cooler-than-ever Bruce Wayne must deal with the usual suspects as they plan to rule Gotham City, while discovering that he has accidentally adopted a teenage orphan who wishes to become his sidekick.
Super Quote:
Phyllis – You know, Mr. Batman, when you’re a talking brick, working at the Phantom Zone, you see a lot of crazy things. But I’ve finally seen a man, in order to make the world a better place, take a look at himself and make a change.
Batman – Who?
Phyllis – Superman.
Justice League
US Release Date: November 17, 2017
Worldwide Box Office: $657.9 million
Director: Zack Snyder/ Joss Whedon
Metascore: 45
Main Cast:
Ben Affleck (Batman), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Jason Momoa (Aquaman), Ezra Miller (The Flash), Henry Cavill (Superman), Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Ray Fisher (Cyborg), Jeremy Irons (Alfred), Diane Lane (Martha Kent), Ciarán Hinds (Steppenwolf), J.K. Simmons (Commissioner Gordon)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his new-found ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy.
Super Quote:
Superman (to Batman) – Do you bleed?
Zack Snyder’s Justice League
US Release Date: March 18, 2021
Worldwide Box Office: $658 million
Director: Zack Snyder
Metascore: 54
Main Cast:
Ben Affleck (Batman), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Jason Momoa (Aquaman), Ezra Miller (The Flash), Henry Cavill (Superman), Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Ray Fisher (Cyborg), Jeremy Irons (Alfred), Diane Lane (Martha Kent), Ciarán Hinds (Steppenwolf), J.K. Simmons (Commissioner Gordon)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
Determined to ensure that Superman’s ultimate sacrifice wasn’t in vain, Bruce Wayne recruits a team of metahumans to protect the world from an approaching threat of catastrophic proportions.
Super Quote:
Jor-El – The symbol of the house of El means hope. Embodied within that hope is the fundamental belief in the potential of every person to be a force for good. That’s what you can bring them. You will give the people of Earth an ideal to strive towards. They will stumble, they will fall. They will join you in the sun, Kal. You will help them accomplish wonders. All the hopes and dreams of Krypton live in you now. Your mother and I loved you. Your heart was tested. But you gave hope to their world. Love them, Kal. The way we loved you.
Which is your favourite Superman movie? Let us know in the comments below.