Superman has been a staple of television for more than four decades, with several actors playing the iconic role in different eras and universes. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the characters, looking through his movie guide can be overwhelming. According to the official guide of DC, the Superman films do not follow the continuity of the universe, which means that the best way to see them is the release order, created by the production times that define the presentation of each actor.
The Christopher Reeve Era: ‘Superman’ (1978) to ‘Superman IV: Quest for Peace’ (1987)
The journey begins with the 1978 film ‘Superman,’ directed by Richard Donner and based on a story by Mario Puzo. This was the first appearance of Superman, setting the standard for the greatest superhero movies to come. Christopher Reeve’s film brought the audience to the story of Clark Kent and his adoptive parents in Kansas. The film also stars Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and Marlon Brando as Superman’s biological father, Jor-El.
Reeve’s performance in the classic 1978 set the blueprint for classic movies for generations to come. Photo credit (Instagram)
Following this is ‘Superman II’ (1980), which introduces General Zod, one of the most famous characters of the franchise. In the film, Superman gives up his powers to be with Lois Lane, only to discover that a hydrogen bomb explosion has released Zod from the Phantom Zone. A director’s cut called the Richard Donner Cut was released in 2006 and is considered by many fans to be the definitive version.‘Superman III’ (1983) followed Christopher Reeve’s continuation of the character. The last film in this era is ‘Superman IV: The Quest for Peace’ (1987) where Superman tries to rid the world of nuclear weapons. This movie marks the end of Christopher Reeve’s era even though he is often considered the weakest of the series.
Brandon Routh’s Time: ‘Superman Returns’ (2006)
After a gap of 19 years Superman returned to theaters with ‘Superman Returns’ in 2006. Brandon Routh took the role of Man of Steel in this film which acts as a loose continuation of the first two Reeve films and ignores the sequels. The main plot of the film focuses on Superman’s return to Earth after a long absence and his troubled relationship with Lois Lane.
The Age of Henry Cavill: ‘Man of Steel’ (2013) to ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ (2021)
The 2013 film ‘Man of Steel’ ushered in a new era of Superman on the big screen. The film is directed by Zack Snyder and stars Henry Cavill, presenting a new, dark and modern story. In contrast to the classic tone of Reeve’s films, ‘Man of Steel’ explores themes of isolation and the burden of power.The latest installment begins with ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ (2016), which pits Superman against Batman over the government’s attempt to control his powers. The film also introduces other DC superheroes such as Wonder Woman and sets up the events of the DC Extended Universe.
Starting with ‘Man of Steel’, Cavill introduced a dark and intense version of the Kryptonian hero. Photo credit (Instagram)
‘Justice League’ (2017) followed, bringing Superman together with other DC heroes to face strange threats. The film was particularly difficult due to the change of directors in the middle of production from Zack Snyder to Joss Whedon. In 2021, ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ was released on HBO Max, representing the first vision of the movie.
Time for James Gunn: ‘Superman’ (2025) in the future
James Gunn relaunched the DC Universe with a new ‘Superman’ film released in 2025, with David Corenswet in the role. This is the beginning of a new era of character, with several villains including The Engineer and Ultraman.