My ranking of the theatrical Superman movies

Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.

Directors: Richard Donner, Richard Lester | Stars: Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Marlon Brando, Ned Beatty

Votes: 19,074

10/10

2. Superman (1978)

PG | 143 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

7.4

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82 Metascore

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.

Director: Richard Donner | Stars: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando

Votes: 187,446 | Gross: $134.22M

10/10

3. Man of Steel (2013)

PG-13 | 143 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

7.1

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55 Metascore

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.

Director: Zack Snyder | Stars: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Diane Lane

Votes: 811,598 | Gross: $291.05M

9/10

4. Superman II (1980)

PG | 127 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

6.8

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83 Metascore

Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.

Director: Richard Lester | Stars: Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Ned Beatty

Votes: 114,582 | Gross: $108.19M

9/10

5. Superman Returns (2006)

PG-13 | 154 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

6.1

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72 Metascore

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.

Director: Bryan Singer | Stars: Brandon Routh, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, James Marsden

Votes: 291,293 | Gross: $200.08M

7/10

6. Superman (1948)

Approved | 244 min | Sci-Fi

6.8

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Superman comes to Earth as a child and grows up to be his home's first superhero with his first major challenge being to oppose The Spider Lady.

Directors: Spencer Gordon Bennet, Thomas Carr | Stars: Kirk Alyn, Noel Neill, Tommy Bond, Carol Forman

Votes: 1,218

7/10

7. Atom Man vs. Superman (1950)

Approved | 252 min | Family, Sci-Fi

6.7

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Superman battles Lex Luthor who is using a teleportation device and a new identity as Atom Man in his criminal plans.

Director: Spencer Gordon Bennet | Stars: Kirk Alyn, Noel Neill, Lyle Talbot, Tommy Bond

Votes: 831

6.5/10

8. Superman III (1983)

PG | 125 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy

5

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44 Metascore

Synthetic kryptonite laced with tar splits Superman in two: good Clark Kent and bad Man of Steel.

Director: Richard Lester | Stars: Christopher Reeve, Richard Pryor, Margot Kidder, Jackie Cooper

Votes: 74,739 | Gross: $59.95M

3.5/10

9. Supergirl (1984)

PG | 124 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy

4.4

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41 Metascore

After losing a powerful orb, Kara Zor-El, Superman's cousin, comes to Earth to retrieve it and instead finds herself up against a wicked witch.

Director: Jeannot Szwarc | Stars: Helen Slater, Faye Dunaway, Peter O'Toole, Mia Farrow

Votes: 24,013 | Gross: $13.60M

3/10

10. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

PG-13 | 151 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

6.5

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44 Metascore

Batman is manipulated by Lex Luthor to fear Superman. Superman´s existence is meanwhile dividing the world and he is framed for murder during an international crisis. The heroes clash and force the neutral Wonder Woman to reemerge.

Director: Zack Snyder | Stars: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg

Votes: 752,227 | Gross: $330.36M

3/10