Superman in movies

Superman, a superhero created by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel, appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics in June 1938, is one of the most iconic and enduring characters in movie history. He first appeared on screen in the 1948 animated shorts and has since been portrayed by various actors across multiple movies.

 Early movies 

 Superman (1948) 
Portrayed by Kirk Alyn in his first live-action adaptation, it depicts the origins of the Man of Steel, with Krypton's destruction and his journey to Earth as an infant. Raised as Clark Kent by a farm couple, he moves to Metropolis, becomes a reporter at the Daily Planet, and uses his superpowers to fight crime as Superman. His main villain is the Spider Lady, who plots to use a ray machine for her criminal ends, unaware that a fragment of Kryptonite is her most valuable tool for defeating Superman.

 Atom Man vs. Superman (1950) 
In the movie, the villain Lex Luthor is imprisoned but uses a teleportation device to secretly operate as the masked criminal "Atom Man". He creates various futuristic weapons and a synthetic kryptonite to defeat Superman (Alyn), who must battle Atom Man's schemes while also protecting his colleagues at the Daily Planet.

 Superman and the Mole Men (1951) 
Superman is portrayed by George Reeves. In the movie, the reporters Lois Lane and Clark Kent go to Silsby to cover the inauguration of the world's deepest oil well. When the well's drill unexpectedly reaches the underground home of the Mole-Men, a race of small, furred, bald-headed beings, the creatures emerge at night, causing panic and fear in the town. An angry mob, led by Luke Benson, forms to kill the "monsters," forcing Superman to protect the Mole-Men from prejudice and violence.

 Adventures of Superman (1952-1958) 
The plot follows mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent / Superman (George Reeves) and his colleagues at the Daily Planet, editor Perry White and reporter Lois Lane, as they work together to solve crimes. The show features classic superhero elements like Superman's powers, his effort to maintain his secret identity, and his commitment to "truth, justice, and the American way".

 Salkind/Cannon movie series (1978–1987) 

 Superman (1978) 
Starring Christopher Reeve as Superman, this movie directed by Richard Donner is considered a classic and set the standard for superhero movies. It introduced audiences to Clark Kent, Superman’s origin, and his battle against Lex Luthor.

 Superman II (1980) 
Continued the story with Christopher Reeve returning as Superman, exploring his struggle with his powers and his love life.

 Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006) 
A re-edited director's cut of 1980's Superman II, this alternate cut was edited by Michael Thau and was overseen and completed by Donner himself. It features a significant amount of discarded footage, alternative takes, and story elements not featured in the theatrical version.

 Superman III (1983) 
Featuring a more comedic tone, with Reeve reprising his role.

 Supergirl (1984) 
 Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) 
The last of the Reeve Superman movies, focusing on disarmament and peace.

 Superman Returns (2006) 
Starring Brandon Routh as Superman, Superman Returns was directed by Bryan Singer and served as a homage to the original movies, picking up several years after Superman II.

Superman returns to Earth after a five-year search for his home planet, Krypton, which he doesn't find. He resumes his life as Clark Kent at the Daily Planet, but finds that Lois Lane has moved on with a husband and child. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor uses Kryptonian crystals to develop a new, devastating land-creating crystal, leading to a showdown with Superman.

 DC Extended Universe (2013-2023) 

 Man of Steel (2013) 
Set in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), it rebooted the franchise with Henry Cavill as Superman, directed by Zack Snyder. It depicted Superman’s origins and his first battles in a modern setting.

 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) 
It featured Henry Cavill facing off against Batman, played by Ben Affleck, and introduced the Justice League.

 Justice League (2017) 
It focused on Superman teaming up with other superheroes in order to save the world from the catastrophic threat of Steppenwolf and his army of Parademons.

 Shazam! (2019) 
In the movie, it features a stand-in of Superman, resembling Henry Cavill's likeness.

 Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021) 
A director's cut of 2017's Justice League, focused on Superman teaming up with other superheroes in order to stop the extradimensional New God Steppenwolf and his army of Parademons from conquering Earth for his overlord, Darkseid.

 Black Adam (2022) 
In a post-credits scene, Cavill reprises his role of Superman for the last time.

 The Flash (2023) 
It features CGI versions of Christopher Reeve, Henry Cavill and Nicolas Cage as Superman, including a de-aged Helen Slater as Supergirl.

 DC Universe (2025-present) 

 Superman (2025) 
Starring David Corenswet as Superman, the movie is set in the DC Universe (DCU). It centers on Clark Kent's early days, featuring a significantly altered origin where his Kryptonian parents send him to Earth with a message suggesting he could "lord over" humanity if necessary. The movie includes a subplot where Lex Luthor views Superman as a threat, comparing him to an "AI" that was not earned through hard work, while Superman grapples with a monstrous threat, showing a noble, albeit potentially overreaching, sense of justice. A pivotal video message from his parents impacts public perception of him on Earth, and a version of the 1978 movie's score is used.

 Supergirl (2026) 
Starring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El / Supergirl, Corensweet is reportedly set to reprise his role as Superman in the movie.

 Recurring cast and characters 

 List indicators 
This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in multiple film series that featured Superman.

 An empty grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
 A indicates an appearance through archival footage or audio.
 C indicates a cameo role.
 O indicates an older version of the character.
 P indicates an appearance in onscreen photographs.
 S indicates an appearance through use of special effects.
 U indicates an uncredited appearance.
 V indicates a voice-only role.
 Y indicates a younger version of the character.

+CharacterFleisher / Famous Studio animated shorts
(1941–1943)Serial movies
(1948–1950)Superman and the Mole Men
(1951)1978 movie series
(1978–1987)Superman Returns
(2006)DC Extended Universe
(2013–2023)DC Universe
(2025–)Kal-El / Clark Kent
SupermanBud CollyerVKirk AlynGeorge ReevesChristopher ReeveBrandon RouthHenry CavillDavid CorenswetSam ParkerVMason Alan DinehartYJeff EastYDylan SprayberryYOliver Diego SilvaYAaron SmolinskiYStephan BenderYGeorge ReevesCSChristopher ReeveCSLois LaneJoan AlexanderVNoel NeillPhyllis CoatesMargot KidderKate BosworthAmy AdamsRachel BrosnahanPerry WhiteJulian NoaVPierre WatkinJackie CooperFrank LangellaLaurence FishburneWendell PierceJimmy OlsenJack MercerVTommy BondMarc McClureSam HuntingtonMichael CassidyCSkyler GisondoJonathan KentEdward CassidyGlenn FordGlenn FordPKevin CostnerPruitt Taylor VinceMartha KentVirginia CarollPhyllis ThaxterEva Marie SaintDiane LaneNeva HowellJor-ElNelson LeighMarlon BrandoMarlon BrandoARussell CroweBradley CooperLara Lor-VanLuana WaltersSusannah YorkAyelet ZurerAngela SarafyanLex LuthorLyle TalbotGene HackmanKevin SpaceyJesse EisenbergNicholas HoultEve TeschmacherValerie PerrineSara SampaioOtisNed BeattyTerence RosemoreGeneral ZodTerence StampMichael ShannonGreg PlittSLana LangAnnette O'TooleJadin GouldDiane SherryYEmily PetersonOKara Zor-El / Linda Danvers
SupergirlHelen SlaterSasha CalleMilly AlcockHelen SlaterCSZor-ElSimon WardDavid KrumholtzAlura In-ZeMia FarrowEmily BeechamSteve LombardMicheal KellyBeck Bennett

 Conclusion 
Superman continues to be a central figure in DC Comics adaptations, with upcoming projects and reboots expected to keep his legacy alive on screen.

Category:Warner Bros. Pictures franchises
Category:Columbia Pictures franchises
Category:American movie series
Category:Superman movies