Superman, beloved by many, is undeniably one of the most renowned superheroes globally. He has enjoyed a successful and impressive run on the silver screen since the 1970s, and his popularity persists to this day.
James Gunn’s Superman, an upcoming film in the DC Universe, is highly anticipated as the start of Gunn’s new DCU.
Superman Movies in Release Order
To watch the Superman movies in chronological order, beginning with the oldest and ending with the newest, here are all 11 films listed in their order of release:
- Superman: The Movie (1978)
- Superman II (1980)
- Superman III (1983)
- Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
- Superman Returns (2006)
- Man of Steel (2013)
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
- Justice League (2017)
- Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Superman Movies in Chronological Order
If you want to watch all the Superman movies in chronological order, it’s easy because they were released in the same order. The movies are divided into different eras, each with its own timeline. We have separated them into sections and included descriptions of the plot for each film.
Christopher Reeve’s Superman
Christopher Reeve’s dynamic performance as Superman during the late ’70s and early ’80s transformed the superhero genre, with the initial two films establishing the benchmark for future years. Despite a decline in quality, the subsequent films, Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, are still entertaining for those seeking some lighthearted fun. The correct order in which they should be viewed is as follows:
The film Superman (1978) was released in 1978.
The renowned superhero, Superman, is first brought to the big screen in the film directed by Richard Donner. The movie delves into the character’s beginnings, from his birth on Krypton to his upbringing as Clark Kent in Smallville and his eventual transformation into Superman. Alongside his ongoing conflict with his nemesis, Lex Luthor, Superman also navigates a developing relationship with reporter Lois Lane.
Superman II was released in 1980.
The follow-up movie, helmed by Richard Lester, was equally successful, advancing the storyline while delving into Superman’s inner battles and his romance with Lois Lane.
The task ahead of him is daunting, as he must defend the planet against a band of Kryptonian criminals led by General Zod, as well as the reappearance of Luther.
The movie “Superman III”was released in 1983.
Superman III follows the titular superhero as he confronts a sinister version of himself, all while wealthy business mogul Ross Webster schemes to gain control of the world through advanced technology. While it continues the narrative of the previous two films, this third installment starring Reeve takes a different tone and may suggest that superhero fatigue had already set in before the rise of the MCU.
The film “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace”was released in 1987.
Despite Superman’s noble quest to eliminate nuclear weapons and promote world peace in the last chapter of the Reeve’s collection, his efforts are hindered by the introduction of Nuclear Man, a villain created by Luthor. Sadly, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace falls short compared to its predecessors, with unimpressive acting, awkward writing, and a noticeable lack of passion.
Movie Title
Despite being an ode to the first two Reeves films, the 2006 movie Superman Returns, helmed by Bryan Singer, stands on its own within its own storyline. Featuring Brandon Routh as the titular hero, the plot revolves around Superman’s homecoming to Earth after a prolonged quest to find Krypton. However, upon his return, he is faced with numerous changes. While the film was commended for its fidelity to the original material and stunning visuals, it has been embroiled in controversy due to accusations and legal battles involving Singer and Kevin Spacey, who portrayed the character of Lex Luthor.
Snyderverse DCEU Era
Despite its polarizing reception, Zack Snyder’s contribution to the DC Extended Universe brought a darker and more intense portrayal of Superman to the big screen. This began with the Man of Steel, featuring Henry Cavill as the titular character. Despite its ambitious approach, the sequel Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was met with criticism for its somber interpretation of the source material. Many critics felt it lacked the lightheartedness typically associated with superhero films. However, there is a devoted following of Snyder’s work who consider it a groundbreaking achievement in the genre.
However, no movie sparked as much debate as Justice League. Like BvS, it faced harsh criticism and underwent multiple rewrites and reshoots. However, director Zack Snyder eventually had to step away from the DCEU during production due to personal tragedy and creative differences with Warner Bros. Despite years of fan requests, it wasn’t until 2021 that Snyder released his long-awaited version of the film, titled Zack Snyder’s Justice League. This version proved to be a significant improvement on the original, and we highly recommend watching it instead of the original version. If you’re interested in watching all the Superman movies in the Snyderverse in chronological order, you can find the list below.
The movie “Man of Steel”was released in 2013.
Snyder’s initial Superman film presents a new interpretation of the well-known origin tale, chronicling his transformation from the sole survivor of Krypton to the ultimate defender of Earth. While facing off against the merciless General Zod and his army, Superman must also confront his dual persona and fully embrace his role as a beacon of optimism for humanity.
The film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was released in 2016.
In the epic superhero crossover, the intricate dynamic between Superman and Batman takes center stage as their conflicting beliefs and methods of seeking justice collide. Simultaneously, they must confront the arrival of a formidable adversary, the villainous Lex Luthor, who cunningly orchestrates a dangerous showdown between them.
The film Justice League was released in 2017.
The Justice League, consisting of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg, must unite to combat the ancient supervillain Steppenwolf and his army of parademons. With the fate of the world at stake, the newly formed team must put aside their differences and join forces to protect humanity from Steppenwolf and his relentless army.
The highly anticipated film, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, was released in 2021.
With the 2021 version of the director’s cut, Snyder presents a revamped edition of the Justice League tale, providing a more comprehensive and connected storyline that delves further into the backgrounds and motives of its characters. Through the addition of previously deleted scenes, improved visual effects, and a reduction in cheesy humor, the director’s vision adds a newfound depth and emotional impact to the grandiose narrative of superhero collaboration and selflessness.
Superman classic serials
If you are a true fan of Superman, you may be interested in finding the old serials from the late 40s and 50s. These include Superman, Atom Man vs. Superman, and Superman versus the Mole Men.
- Superman (1948)
- Atom Man vs. Superman (1950)
- Superman versus the Mole Men (1951)
Superman
The first Superman movie ever made, technically, was released as a 15-part serial and featured Kirk Alyn as the iconic Man of Steel. Despite its low budget, the film retold Superman’s origin story and depicted his epic fight against the dangerous Spider Lady.
Atom Man vs. Superman (1950)
The success of the first Superman serial led to the production of a sequel, with Alyn returning as the lead role. In this installment, the Man of Steel faced off against his arch-nemesis Lex Luthor, who was on a mission to gather various radioactive elements in order to create a synthetic Kryptonite that could potentially defeat Superman.
Superman versus the Mole Men
The groundbreaking film, Superman versus the Mole Men, marked the first appearance of a DC character in a feature film. Starring George Reeves as The Last Son of Krypton, the movie is a significant milestone in cinematic history. Contrary to its title, the Mole Men are not depicted as villains; rather, they simply want humans to cease drilling for oil in their habitat. The film received positive reviews and also served as a precursor to the television series The Adventures of Superman, the first of its kind to feature the iconic superhero.
Where to Watch the Superman Movies
Fortunately, all of the previously mentioned Superman movies (excluding the serials) can currently be streamed on Max.
To find other individuals who wear capes, be sure to watch all the superhero movies and shows premiering this year. And for those seeking new content, you can also catch the top streaming movies of the month.
This article is also a component of HeroFest, a weeklong event dedicated to honoring all things superhero-related. For more information on the complete schedule of HeroFest, please visit the official website.
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