Superman returns in 2025: here is our ranking of his films

Superman in the cinema is a classic. In 2025, the Man of Steel will return for new adventures. Next July, he will be back on the big screen, this time played by David Corenswet, in a feature film directed by James Gunn. The first images were revealed a few days ago and quite attracted the public. Before this reunion, here is a small, totally subjective classification of films, from 1978 to the present day.

8. «Superman IV: The Quest for Peace» (1987)

Well… To be honest, it’s a total disaster. Christopher Reeve played the tights-wearing superhero for the last time. After an already unconvincing third adventure, Superman here faced the Nuclear Man (the distressing Mark Pillow), a superhuman entity in the service of Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman does what he can). Nothing is to be saved in this episode produced by the Cannon group, specialists in nonsense: the actors seem absent, the special effects are so pathetic that they become funny, the scenario is distressingly stupid… Reeve , held by contract, had returned also because of a large fee. This film, directed by Sidney J. Furie, was a terrible flop. And we no longer saw Superman in the cinema for many years.

7. «Man of Steel» (2013)

Produced by Warner, Legendary Pictures and DC Entertainment, “Man of Steel”, directed by Zack Snyder, was intended to be a serious version of Superman. The story once again told the genesis of the superhero from Krypton, his childhood on Earth and the discovery of his powers, but in a realistic way, if we dare say so. Played by the excellent Henry Cavill, Superman faces renegades once banished from his planet: the vile General Zod (Michael Shannon) and his accomplices who have come to kick the butts of Earthlings. And incidentally threaten the life of the fiancée of the Man of Steel, Lois Lane (Amy Adams). Damn, this looks an awful lot like “Superman II”. The problem with this episode is that, in addition to taking itself too seriously and making us go crazy, it is drowned in a deluge of CGI effects that are not always the best effect. Throughout its second half, “Man of Steel” continues endless fights whose illegibility is matched only by profound boredom. We yawn.

6. «Superman III» (1983)

After two enchanting first films, this third feature film produced by Warner was very disappointing. Richard Lester chose to clearly favor comedy. A very important change since, until now, the saga perfectly alternated humor, romance, action and seriousness. This episode features American comedian Richard Pryor. He plays a computer scientist whose talents will be exploited by an unscrupulous businessman, Ross Webster (Robert Vaughn). The only really interesting moment: the split personality of Superman whose light side will have to confront the dark side. Christophe Reeve appears at ease and delivers a very convincing performance.

5. «Superman Returns» (2006)

The typical example of a false good idea. The concept? Making “Superman Returns” the direct sequel to “Superman II”, released in 1980. To stick to the story, filmmaker Bryan Singer goes all out: he uses images taken from the first two films, including shots with Marlon Brando dating from 1978, recreates some of the same settings (the Fortress of Solitude) and gives us the famous opening credits with blue letters, with the original music by John Williams. All this could only work. All this could only be a hit, playing on nostalgia. But no, “Superman Returns” is failing at the box office. For what? Brandon Routh does not lack talent but he is suddenly confronted too directly with the memory of Christophe Reeve. The effects are good, the scenario not so bad, Kevin Spacey is in good shape in the role of Lex Luthor… but the magic is not there. By wanting too much to tread on the grounds of the original saga, Bryan Singer gets lost.

4. «Justice League» (2017)

Batman (Ben Affleck) and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) team up with Flash (Ezra Miller), Cyborg (Ray Fisher), and Aquaman (Jason Momoa) to save the world from the threat of Steppenwolf and the Parademons. Will Superman (Henry Cavill), who died in the previous episode, come back to life? Damn, what suspense! Wanting to take advantage of the success of Marvel’s Avengers, DC Comics uses its superhero team: the Justice League. But same problem as for “Man of Steel”: a slightly weak scenario, a photo that is too dark, an invasive CGI. Lining up the heads of the gondolas facing the camera does not necessarily make a good film. The proof.

3. «Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice» (2016)

DC Comics persists and signs: Henry Cavill returns in the role of Superman not in “Man of Steel II” but in this rather well-received “Dawn of Justice”. The idea? Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) witnessed the battle between Zod and the Man of Steel (seen in “Man of Steel”). And the enormous damage it caused. Not to mention the human victims. He believes that Superman is a danger to the Earth and goes, under the identity of Batman, to fight him. We won’t say more but the story is clever and asks the right questions. Affleck, a monolithic hint, is very good in the skin of Batman. Cavill plays well. This time, the effects do not stifle the story which takes time to develop. And to be enriched by Wonder Woman, always portrayed beautifully by Gal Gadot. After his catastrophic “Man of Steel”, Zack Snyder sets things right, before failing again with “Justice League.”

2. «Superman II» (1980)

A direct sequel to the 1978 masterpiece, “Superman II” tells the story of how the Man of Steel (impeccable Christopher Reeve) is forced to fight three renegades formerly banished from Krypton, including General Zod (played by Terence Stamp). , who are trying to colonize Earth. Along the way, Loïs Lane (Margot Kidder) discovers the true identity of Clark Kent, who temporarily loses his powers. More action-based than the first film, this feature film remains no less charming and magical. It is full of cult scenes, such as the rescue of a careless child near Niagara Falls or the nuclear bomb hidden on the Eiffel Tower. “Superman II” also benefits from a Gene Hackman in great shape and a generally well-chosen cast. Note that director Richard Donner was fired in the middle of filming, replaced by Richard Lester, who modified the script. The version according to Donner is available in the latest “Superman” box sets available.

Directed by Richard Donner, “Superman” remains, to this day and by far, the best film of the saga. Maybe even the best superhero movie. An enormous charm emerges from this feature film, a constant enchantment. We follow the origins of the native of Krypton, his arrival on Earth, his education by his adoptive parents then his debut at the “Daily Planet”. With a perfectly balanced story, wonderful performers and revolutionary effects for the time, “Superman” wins, carried by the sublime music of John Williams. This film is pure entertainment which does not take itself seriously but which takes the spectators by the hand. The photo, signed Geoffrey Unsworth, gives the whole thing absolute magic. And Christopher Reeve remains the perfect Superman.