From the Adventures of Superman in the 1950s, and Super Friends in the ’19’70s, to the Superboy show of the late ’80s, and JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time in the mid-2010s, Superman has starred in an exhaustive collection of movies and television shows. Since the character first stepped into animation in the 1940s, there’s barely a time when he hasn’t been zipping around the screen, demonstrating huge feats of strength and courage.
Between cartoons and live-action, solo stuff and team-up tales, the Man of Steel has run the gamut and back again. In fact, Superman has featured in so many films and series, there’s enough material to keep audiences entertained for weeks, months, and even years.
But of all the Superman adaptations, which are the best? Which films and shows do you NEED to watch?
Below you will find a list of all the great Superman movies and television shows. If you don’t have time to watch every bit of Superman media, but you’re keen to connect with the highlights, this is what you should seek out.
—
The Fleischer Studios/Famous Studios Superman shorts (1941 – 1943)
First up, are a collection of animated shorts from the 1940s which are often cited as one of the best examples of Superman on screen. The shorts are highly regarded because of the simplicity of the stories, the impressive animation, and the sharp bursts of action that are seen in each instalment.
In total, 17 Superman shorts were produced between 1941 and 1943, with Fleischer Studios responsible for the first nine, and Famous Studios delivering the final eight. Across the course of the shorts Superman battles robots, mad scientists, gangsters, and even a dinosaur, with Bud Collyer providing the voice of Clark Kent/Superman.
Of course, with the Superman shorts coming from the 1940s, they are somewhat dated in places, and Superman’s powers are quite limited, but they are a masterpiece of their time. Put yourself in the era in which they were produced, when there was nothing quite like this around, and marvel at the sheer fun and escapism of Superman’s adventures!
—
Superman: The Movie (1978)
Moving onto arguably the most famous piece of Superman media on this list: Director Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie. For many, this film and its lead star Christopher Reeve, mark the pinnacle of Superman on screen and it’s difficult to argue against this.
Not that you would want to, as Superman: The Movie is sheer brilliance. When it was released back in 1978, the film introduced Superman to audiences world wide and cemented the character as the most iconic hero of all time.
Boasting a cast which includes Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Terence Stamp, Jackie Cooper, Glenn Ford, and Margot Kidder, Superman: The Movie is an epic tale which details the emergence of Superman. From the doomed planet Krypton, to the open plains of Smallville, and the bustling streets of Metropolis, the film packs in a great deal of story, as well as all of the classic characters including Lois Lane and Lex Luthor.
—
Superman II (1980)
Picking up shortly after the events of Superman: The Movie, Superman II is an action-packed affair from director Richard Lester. The majority of the cast return for this sequel (which was partially shot back-to-back with its predecessor), while the story focuses on three Kryptonian criminals.
Their arrival on Earth spells disaster for the planet. Even more so as it coincides with Superman’s decision to give up his powers.
Regarded by some as being better than the original, there really is no need to debate this one, Superman II is an excellent film. It is loaded with fantastic scenes of spectacle, some great performances, and lots of Superman action!
—
Superman (1988)
And now onto a short-run television show, which is largely forgotten about and/or overlooked. The show is Superman, which originally aired for one season back in 1988.
Produced by Ruby-Spears Enterprises, with Beau Weaver voicing Superman/Clark Kent, Superman is a fun little ‘toon which pits the Man of Steel against various classic foes, including General Zod, The Prankster, and Shadow Thief. Lex Luthor also appears in the series, as does Wonder Woman.
Superman is very much an ’80s cartoon, so it is to be taken for what it is, however, if you are a fan of this era of ‘toons, then this show offers a nice bit of escapism. The theme tune also features snippets from the iconic John Williams score from the Christopher Reeve Superman movies.
__
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993 – 1997)
Onto the 1990s now which proved to be a great decade for Superman television shows. There were two shows which really struck a chord with audiences, and became ratings winners, and the first of these was Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.
Starring Dean Cain as Clark Kent/Superman and Teri Hatcher as Lois Lane, Lois & Clark ran from 1993 to 1997, and clocked up 88 episodes. Within this time, the show explored the ‘will-they, won’t-they’ romance between the lead players, while pitting Superman against villains such as Lex Luthor, Tempus, Lord Nor, Mr. Mxyzptlk, and in one episode Al Capone!
The beauty of Lois and Clark was the chemistry between Cain and Hatcher, who were both perfectly cast. However, the key selling point was how the show really understood how to present a likeable and relatable Superman on screen.
Throughout Lois & Clark, Superman recycles his trash, attends neighbourhood watch meetings, and gives statements to the press. He’s not a god in a cape, he’s a boy scout with powers, and bags of charm.
The show nails Superman’s humanity, as well as his earnest nature. And people respect him because he is continually shown to have integrity.
—
Superman: The Animated Series (1996 – 2000)
Joining Lois & Clark as the other great Superman show in the ‘90s is Superman: The Animated Series. The series – a sibling show to Batman: The Animated Series – aired between 1996 and 2000, included 54 episodes, and featured the voices of Tim Daly as Superman/Clark Kent, Dana Delany as Lois Lane, and Clancy Brown as Lex Luthor.
Across these episodes were various characters and storylines taken directly from the comics. There was also a fantastic line-up of classic villains covering everyone from Metallo and Bizarro, to the Parasite and Toyman.
Although most episodes were standalone affairs, that could be watched in any order, the series did incorporate a recurring story arc, centred around the villainous Darkseid. His interest in defeating Superman led to some truly memorable moments, including the death of a beloved supporting character, and an unexpected finale.
—
Smallville (2001 – 2011)
Moving onto Smallville now, an incredibly popular live-action television series which charted the early years of Clark Kent as he moved from high school student in the town of Smallville, to caped wonder in the city of Metropolis. The series aired for ten seasons, stretching a whopping 218 episodes, with Tom Welling playing Clark Kent and Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor.
When the series began, Clark had limited super powers. He was stronger than an average teen, could run fast, and was seemingly indestructible, but not much more that.
As the show progressed, he developed various abilities, ranging from X-ray vision and super hearing, to super breath and eventually flight. He even got a few different costumes, including a black trench coat/T-shirt combo, before settling on his iconic red and blue suit.
The core emphasis of Smallville was on Clark Kent, rather than Superman. In fact, Clark didn’t officially become Superman until the final few moments of the show’s finale, and this was after learning every lesson he could about himself and the world around him.
—
Justice League (2001 – 2004)
Back to TV animation now, for Justice League, which was a team-up show that followed on from the events of Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series. This action series saw Batman and Superman (this time voiced by George Newbern) join forces with Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, the Flash, Martian Manhunter, and Hawkgirl, for a collection of adventures spanning land, sea, air, space, and everything in between.
Similar to Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League was very much a comic book inspired show, featuring stories taken directly from the original source material. And to demonstrate the epic nature of the series, as well as the need for weekly team-ups, the majority of the stories were two-parters.
—
Justice League Unlimited (2004 – 2006)
Picking up directly after the events of Justice League is continuation show, Justice League Unlimited. In this series, the League expands to incorporate a wealth of additional heroes (Green Arrow, the Question, Black Canary, etc), but with Superman, Batman, and Co. still leading the way.
Justice League Unlimited builds on what came before and begins to tie together continuity from Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, and Batman Beyond. The result is one of the best comic book shows of all time, with some stand-out moments for Superman, as he takes on the likes of Doomsday, Luthor, Brainiac, and Darkseid.
—
Justice League: Doom (2012)
Sticking with animation, but over to direct-to-video films now for the DC Universe Animated Original Movie (DCUAOM) Justice League: Doom. Tim Daly reprises the role of Superman for this film, alongside a cast which includes Kevin Conroy, Nathan Fillion, and Michael Rosenbaum, for a Justice League tale which pits the team against Vandal Savage and the Legion of Doom.
In the movie, the League is under attack from the Legion, with villains such as Metallo, Bane, and Star Sapphire targeting individual members. Weaknesses are exposed, and for once it seems as if the League could lose, in this action-packed picture.
—
Man of Steel (2013)
Henry Cavill takes on the role of Superman for this next offering, the live-action sci-fi movie, Man of Steel. Directed by Zack Snyder, the film recounts Superman’s origin story, running from Krypton, through Smallville, and onto Metropolis, as Clark Kent becomes Superman and reveals himself to the world.
The big villains of this film are a collection of evil Kryptonians led by General Zod. Their plan is to take over Earth, terraform it, and transform the planet into New Krypton.
Humanity’s only chance of survival rests in the hands of Superman. But with the military suspicious of Superman’s intentions, Clark has to work extra hard to convince every one of his good intentions.
—
The Death of Superman (2018)
Back to the DC Universe Animated Original Movies for this next film – The Death of Superman. This is the opening chapter in a two-part epic, which adapts a classic comic book tale from the early ’90s.
In The Death of Superman, a mysterious creature crash lands on Earth and heads to Metropolis, making light work of anyone and anything that gets in his way. After tearing through the Justice League, Superman steps in to take down the creature known as Doomsday, but discovers this is no easy task.
After a brutal battle with Superman receiving assistance from Lex Luthor, the clash of the titans ends in tragedy. Superman dies on the streets of Metropolis.
__
Reign of the Supermen (2019)
Picking up the story which began in The Death of Superman, and with the Man of Steel gone, the world mourns. Meanwhile, four new heroes step forward to take Superman’s place: Steel, Superboy, The Eradicator, and Cyborg Superman.
However, one of these replacement Supermen is not who he seems to be, and before long Metropolis is in trouble. In the city’s darkest hour, there’s only one person who can save the day, but can Superman return from the dead?
__
Superman & Lois (2021 – 2024)
Back to TV for Superman & Lois – a family-orientated Superman show which focuses on the life of husband and wife duo, Clark Kent and Lois Lane, as well as their twin sons, Jonathan and Jordan. The series sees the Kent family move from Metropolis back to Smallville, where they encounter trouble from Morgan Edge, Bizarro, Lex Luthor, and Doomsday.
Tyler Hoechlin plays Superman, with Elizabeth Tulloch as Lois Lane. The actors originated the roles on the Supergirl television show (2015 – 2021), but here they play alternate versions of the characters, who exist in a different universe.
In total, Superman & Lois ran for four seasons comprising 53 episodes. The show updates the mythology marvellously, and details what parenthood looks like for Lois & Clark.
—
My Adventures with Superman (2023 – 2025)
Sticking with TV for the animated series, My Adventures with Superman – an anime-style show centred around Clark Kent/Superman, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen. Jack Quaid voices Superman in this series, with Alice Lee as Lois, and Ishmel Sahid as Jimmy.
The focus of this series is on Clark’s journey to understand his Kryptonian heritage and to establish himself as a hero. Along the way he meets many of his classic villains, and connects with his cousin, Kara Zor-El aka Supergirl.
—
Superman (2025)
And finally, writer/director James Gunn delves into the pages of DC Comics for this rousing adventure film starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Taking inspiration from the classic era of stories, as well as the All-Star Superman comics, Superman is a fantasy romp featuring kaiju, a pocket dimension, and Krypto the Superdog!
In the film, Luthor plots to discredit the Man of Steel in the eyes of the world. But thankfully Supes isn’t in this battle alone, and with the help of a few friends, including Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, and Green Lantern, he might just stand a chance at clearing his name.
__
__
Thank you for taking the time to read this post about Superman on It’s A Stampede! – I hope it has proved useful. For more useful posts, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.
It's A Stampede! 
Leave a comment