Every Superman Movie Ranked by IMDb Score: Where Will Gunn’s DCU Flick Land?

Superman has been a movie star for decades. Many actors have worn the famous red cape. The films have seen highs and lows, from beloved classics to box office disappointments. Looking at the scores on IMDb helps us see how fans feel about each movie. This list ranks the live-action Superman films based on those fan ratings.

With a new Superman movie on the way from director James Gunn, it’s a good time to look back at the hero’s cinematic history. DCU’s first movie, simply titled “Superman,” will introduce a new actor in the main role and kick off a new chapter for DC movies. While it doesn’t have a rating yet, we can see how past films have been judged by the audience. This ranking shows the legacy the new film will inherit.

Superman: The Movie (1978) – 7.4/10

The first major Superman film set a high bar for superhero movies. It told the origin story of how the baby Kal-El was sent from the dying planet Krypton to Earth. Raised as Clark Kent, he discovers his amazing powers and becomes the hero known as Superman. The movie was a huge success and made audiences believe a man could fly.

Christopher Reeve’s performance as both the kind, clumsy Clark Kent and the confident, powerful Superman is iconic. The film also featured Gene Hackman as the villainous Lex Luthor. Its hopeful tone and impressive special effects for the time made it a classic that is still loved by many fans and critics.

Man of Steel (2013) – 7.1/10

This film rebooted the Superman story with a more modern and serious tone. It retold Superman’s origin, showing his struggles to find his place in a world that might fear him. Henry Cavill took on the role of Superman, bringing a new physical presence to the character. The movie featured intense action sequences as Superman battled General Zod, another survivor from Krypton.

“Man of Steel” was the first film in what would become the DC Extended Universe. It showed a different side of the hero, focusing on the weight of his powers and the difficult choices he has to make. While some viewers found the darker take and destructive battles controversial, the film was a box office success and has a strong fan following.

Superman II (1980) – 6.8/10

The sequel to the 1978 hit continued the story of Christopher Reeve’s Superman. In this film, three Kryptonian criminals with the same powers as Superman arrive on Earth, led by the ruthless General Zod. This created a major threat that forced Superman to his limits. At the same time, the movie developed the romance between Clark Kent and Lois Lane, who discovers his secret identity.

“Superman II” is remembered for its exciting action scenes and the emotional story of Superman giving up his powers for love. The film had a complicated production, with a change of directors, but it remains a fan favorite. It successfully built on the world of the first movie and gave its hero a powerful set of villains to overcome.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) – 6.4/10

This movie brought two of the most famous superheroes together on the big screen for the first time. Following the events of “Man of Steel,” it explored the world’s reaction to Superman and whether he could be trusted. Ben Affleck’s Batman sees Superman as a potential threat to humanity and decides to challenge him. The film also introduced Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman.

“Batman v Superman” was a visually dark film that set the stage for the “Justice League” movie. It was a huge financial success but received mixed reviews from fans and critics. Many debates among fans focused on its serious tone and its interpretation of the classic characters.

Superman Returns (2006) – 6.1/10

This film served as a soft reboot and a tribute to the Christopher Reeve movies. Brandon Routh played Superman, who returns to Earth after a five-year absence to find that the world has learned to live without him. He must also face Lex Luthor, who has a new plan to destroy him and create a new continent.

Directed by Bryan Singer, “Superman Returns” tried to capture the magic of the original 1978 film. It paid homage to the classic style and music while using modern special effects. However, the movie received mixed reviews for its slow pace and lack of action compared to other superhero films of the time.

Superman III (1983) – 5.0/10

The third film in the Christopher Reeve series took a turn towards comedy. The story involved a bumbling computer genius, played by comedian Richard Pryor, who is hired by a villain to create synthetic Kryptonite. The fake Kryptonite has a strange effect on Superman, splitting him into his good and evil selves, leading to a memorable junkyard fight.

“Superman III” moved away from the more serious tone of the first two films. While it has some fans who enjoy its lighter approach, it was generally seen as a step down for the series. The focus on comedy and a less threatening villain resulted in a lower rating from audiences compared to its predecessors.

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) – 3.7/10

This was Christopher Reeve’s final movie as the Man of Steel. In this film, Superman decides to rid the world of all nuclear weapons to ensure peace. In response, Lex Luthor creates a new villain called Nuclear Man, who is powered by the sun and proves to be a match for Superman.

“Superman IV” is widely considered the worst of the original Superman films. It suffered from a low budget, which resulted in poor special effects and a less compelling story. The film was a critical and commercial failure, and it marked the end of that era of Superman movies.

Superman (2025) – Not Yet Rated

The next chapter for the hero is James Gunn’s “Superman,” scheduled for later today. This film will be the first movie in the new DC Universe and will feature David Corenswet as the new Superman. The movie is one of the most anticipated films of the year, according to IMDb data based on user interest.

Because the movie has not been released, it does not have an IMDb score. Fans are eager to see this new version of the character, which is promised to be a story about kindness and compassion. How it will rank among the other Superman films will only be known after it arrives in theaters and audiences have their say.