Debuting in a 1938comic book,Supermanhas since grown intoone of the most widely recognizable and iconic figures in pop culture history. It wasn’t until 40 years later that America’s favoriteherowould get his first big-screen treatment withSupermanin 1978. Directed byRichard Donnerand starringChristopher Reevein the lead role,Supermanwasa smash hit at the box officeand critically well-received, all butensuring the character of Superman a future inHollywood.
Now almost half a decade removed from the original, Superman has seen a number of film adaptations and iterations by different performers. With the release ofJames Gunn’shighly anticipated iteration of Supermanjust around the corner, let’s take a look back at the reception that every past Superman movie has received from popular media aggregation website,Rotten Tomatoes.
6’Superman IV: The Quest for Peace’ (1987)
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer Score:10%
As the world teeters on the brink of all-out nuclear war, Superman (Christopher Reeve), along with the help of the United Nations, destroys all the planet’s nuclear armaments. With peace on the horizon, the arch nemesis of Superman, Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), creates a powerful creature known as Nuclear Man (Mark Pillow) using a strand of Superman’s hair and energy from the sun.The power of Nuclear Man is formidable, rivaling that of Superman himself. An epic battle between good and evil ensues as Superman faces his greatest challenge yet.
Scoringan abysmally low critics' approval rating of just 10%on Rotten Tomatoes,Superman IV: The Quest for Peaceis widely recognized asone of the worst superhero movies ever made. It’s a difficult movie to enjoy even on an ironic level—despite the schlock,Superman IV: The Quest for Peaceis an absolute slog of a movie thatskimps on the action, drama, inspiration and just about everything else one would hope for from a Superman movie. It’s a B-movie without any of the fun that can best be described as a tragic ending to the Christopher Reeve Superman saga. There’s a reason there wasn’t another mainline Superman movie for another 19 years following this one:Superman IV: The Quest for Peacestifled audience interest in Superman as a cinematic icon, and it’s a miracle that the property recovered.
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
The Man of Steel crusades for nuclear disarmament and meets Lex Luthor’s latest creation, Nuclear Man.
5’Superman III' (1983)
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer Score:29%
Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor) is an unintelligent man by just about every metric, save for his incredible talent when it comes to computer programming. After being recruited by financial tycoon Ross Webster (Robert Vaughn), Gorman’s talents are used as a means to eliminate Webster’s entrepreneurial competition. After his plan is foiled by Superman (Christopher Reeve),Webster instructs Gorman to find a means to obtain Kryptonite, Superman’s only weakness. The creation of a malevolent supercomputer that weaponizes Kryptonite proves to be a considerable challenge for Superman as the safety of the world hangs in the balance.
Superman IIIisn’t a good movie, as the approval rating would suggest, but unlike the following installment in the Christopher Reeve saga, there’s some fun to be had.The inclusion of comedian Richard Pryor was an interesting creative decision that didn’t exactly pay off narratively, but provided plenty of comedy and a fresh dynamic. Clearly, the majority of critics (and audience alike) did not approve ofSuperman III’s heavy leaning into comedy, silliness and a lighter tone, but it’s a case where mileage may vary between viewers. Far removed from pretty much any other Superman movie,Superman IIIis an enjoyable enough romp, but it’s still clear to see why it disappointed so many.
Superman III
4’Man of Steel' (2013)
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer Score:57%
A young Kryptonian boy named Kal-El (Henry Cavill) is sent to Earth after the destruction of his home planet. Unsure of his past as he grows into an adult (and adopts a human name),Clark begins discovering his extraordinary powers under the fostering of his human parents,Diane LaneandKevin Costner. The arrival of General Zod (Michael Shannon), one of the last surviving Kryptonians aside from Clark, proves dangerous for Earth as Zod wishes to create a new Krypton from the world’s ashes. Clark must make his new identity as Superman known as he faces off against a formidable threat with all of humanity at stake.
The most divisive Superman movie, as well as one of the most divisive comic book movies ever made,Man of Steelis a reimagining of the titular hero’s origin story helmed by seasoned filmmakerZack Snyder. WithMan of Steel, Synder trades the color and camp associated with the character and captures the familiar tale with grit and an emphasis on extended action sequences. At times,Man of Steelis an assault on the senses, and not always a visually appealing one, yet it also delivers some epic spectacle and a stylistically different take on the character we all know and love.The cast is strong, Snyder’s direction is tight, and Cavill’s portrayal of Superman is compelling, but the lack of color and narrative wit holdsMan of Steelback from being among the best Superman adaptations.
Man of Steel
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.
3’Superman Returns' (2006)
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer Score:74%
After an extended period of absence, Superman (Brandon Routh) returns to an Earth that he does not recognize.The world no longer looks to him as their savior as they have since learned to make do without his incredible powers and heroism. The love of his life, Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth), has also seemingly moved from him and begun a new life. One thing that doesn’t change, however, is the evil plotting of Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey). His latest scheme involves the creation of a superstructure that will cause the demise of millions. Superman must once again prove himself worthy to the people of Earth and spark the glimmer of hope that his name once brought to humanity.
Much like the hiatus that this Superman took from Earth,Superman Returnsmarkedthe character’s return to the theaternearly two decades after the disaster that wasSuperman IV: The Quest for Peace. With a fresh face in Routh and the capable direction of experienced comic-book movie directorBryan Singer,Superman Returnsreignited interest in the property and was recognized as a solid effort, even if it wasn’t the grand slam that fans deserved after such a waiting period.Superman Returnsplays it safe for the most part, offering enough spectacle to entertain and satisfy while respecting the legacy of what came before.
Superman Returns
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.
2’Superman II' (1980)
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer Score:83%
Superman’s (Christopher Reeve) love for reporter Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) is perhaps the only thing more powerful than him. As a means of bearing children with her, Superman opts to purge himself of his powers and live the remainder of his life as a mortal being. In a spectacular case of unfortunate timing, a trio of Kryptonian villains–Terence Stamp,Sarah Douglas,andJack O’Halloran– release themselves from imprisonment and begin conquering the planet, aided by the nefarious Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman).Superman must sacrifice a peaceful future with Lois if he wishes to save Earth from certain doom.
It surely was no easy task following up one of the best superhero movies ever made, yetSuperman IIis a great sequel and companion piece. The returning cast is fantastic, and the screenplay is sharp and full of wit. The emphasis being placed on the romance between Clark and Lois rather than Superman heroics could’ve proved disastrous, butthe love story is compelling and surprisingly tender, and there’s still plenty of superhero spectacle to get wrapped up in. Stamp as General Zod is the movie’s standout: his screen presence is commanding, yet it’s also clear that he knew how to have fun in such a role.Superman IImay not have reached the heights of the best Superman movie, but it’s a heap of fun thatunderstands what made the original workso well.
Superman II
1’Superman' (1978)
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer Score:93%
Alien infant Kal-El (Christopher Reeve) is sent to Earth after the total destruction of his home planet. After being raised by farmers Jonathan and Martha Kent,Glenn FordandPhyllis Thaxter, Kal-El adopts the human identity of Clark Kent. Along the way,Clark discovers his extraordinary abilities, but is taught to only ever use them for good. After taking up a job as a reporter in the bustling city of Metropolis, Clark soon finds himself hopelessly in love with journalist Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). Meanwhile, criminal mastermind Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) is hatching a scheme that will grant him near-infinite power at the cost of countless lives. Clark must fully realize his Superman persona and become the symbol of hope that the people of Earth deserve.
The one that started it all also turned out to be the best.Supermanis widely regarded asone of the greatest superhero movies ever made, and the reasons are plain to see even to this day.From Reeve’s star-making performance to Hackman’s devilishly entertaining turn as Luthor,Supermanis a movie that oozes charisma and charm.Richard Donner directs with confidence, and it’s clear that the filmmaker had a thorough understanding of what made the character of Superman so widely beloved.Supermanis a movie about hope, heroism and understanding, all the while being unafraid to embrace some of the campier elements that come along with a film adaptation of a character lifted from comic panels.Supermanis an excellent movie even outside the genre, and is easily the best Superman movie ever made (for now?).
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.
