DC Comics' Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in June 1938, has featured in various films. He debuted in cinemas in a series of animated shorts beginning in 1941 and was the protagonist of two movie serials in 1948 and 1950. An independent studio, Lippert Pictures, released the first Superman feature film, Superman and the Mole Men, starring George Reeves, in 1951. In 1973, the film rights to the Superman character were purchased by Ilya Salkind, Alexander Salkind, and Pierre Spengler. After multiple scripts and several years in development, Richard Donner was hired as director, and he shot two films, Superman (1978) (marketed as Superman: The Movie), and Superman II (1980), at the same time, both starring Christopher Reeve. Donner had filmed 75 percent of Superman II before it was decided to suspend shooting on the first film. The Salkinds fired Donner after Superman was released and commissioned Richard Lester as the director to finish Superman II. Lester returned to direct Superman III (1983). The Salkinds also produced the spin-off Supergirl (1984). They then sold the rights to Cannon Films, which produced the poorly reviewed Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987). Ilya Salkind commissioned a fifth Superman script before Warner Bros. acquired the rights in 1993.
Over the course of 11 years, Warner Bros. developed and canceled three projects: Tim Burton's Superman Lives, which would have starred Nicolas Cage; Wolfgang Petersen's Batman vs. Superman; and the J. J. Abrams-scripted Superman: Flyby which went between directors Joseph "McG" Nichols and Brett Ratner. In 2004, the studio hired Bryan Singer and released Superman Returns in 2006, starring Brandon Routh. Donner's director's cut for Superman II was also released that year. Despite positive reviews, Warner Bros. was disappointed with the financial performance of Superman Returns and canceled a sequel, which would have been released in 2009. The studio nearly started production of a Justice League film with George Miller directing and D. J. Cotrona as Superman for a 2009 release, but it was shelved in 2008.
The film series was rebooted in 2013 with Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder with Henry Cavill starring as Superman. Man of Steel launched what became known as the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Cavill next appeared as Superman in the DCEU films Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017) (both again directed by Snyder), and in the director's cut of Justice League, Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021); he then made a cameo appearance in the mid-credits scene of Black Adam (2022). The Flash (2023) featured Superman cameos portrayed by Henry Cavill, Nicolas Cage, George Reeves, and Christopher Reeve. Sasha Calle, along with Helen Slater, appeared as Supergirl in the film.
The series was once again rebooted with Superman (2025), with David Corenswet as Superman. The film was written and directed by James Gunn and is the first film of the DC Universe (DCU). Milly Alcock portrayed Supergirl in the film, and reprised the role in Supergirl (2026).
List of films Film U.S. release date Director Lead Story by Screenplay by Produced by Music by Distributor Early films Superman serial Spencer Gordon Bennet and Thomas Carr Kirk Alyn Lewis Clay, Royal K. Cole, Arthur Hoerl, George H. Plympton and Joseph F. Poland Sam Katzman Mischa Bakaleinikoff Columbia Pictures Atom Man vs. Superman serial Spencer Gordon Bennet David Mathews, George H. Plympton, and Joseph F. Poland Superman and the Mole Men Lee Sholem George Reeves Robert J. Maxwell and Whitney Ellsworth (collectively credited under the pseudonym "Richard Fielding") Barney A. Sarecky Darrell Calker Lippert Pictures 1978–2006 film series Superman Richard Donner Christopher Reeve Mario Puzo Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman and Robert Benton Pierre Spengler John Williams Warner Bros. Columbia-EMI-Warner Distributors Superman II Richard Donner and Richard Lester Mario Puzo, David Newman, and Leslie Newman Ken Thorne Superman III Richard Lester David Newman and Leslie Newman Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler Supergirl Jeannot Szwarc Helen Slater David Odell Timothy Burrill Jerry Goldsmith Tri-Star Pictures Columbia-EMI-Warner Distributors Superman IV:The Quest for Peace Sidney J. Furie Christopher Reeve Lawrence Konner, Mark Rosenthal and Christopher Reeve Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus John WilliamsAlexander Courage Warner Bros. Columbia-Cannon-Warner Distributors Superman Returns Bryan Singer Brandon Routh Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris and Bryan Singer Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris Jon Peters, Bryan Singer and Gilbert Adler John Ottman Warner Bros. Superman II:The Richard Donner Cut Richard Donner Christopher Reeve Mario Puzo, David Newman, and Leslie Newman Mario Puzo Pierre Spengler John Williams DC Extended Universe films Man of Steel Zack Snyder Henry Cavill David S. Goyer and Christopher Nolan David S. Goyer Christopher Nolan, Charles Roven, Emma Thomas and Deborah Snyder Hans Zimmer Warner Bros. Batman v Superman:Dawn of Justice Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder Hans ZimmerJunkie XL Justice League Zack Snyder and Joss Whedon Zack Snyder & Chris Terrio Chris Terrio and Joss Whedon Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Jon Berg, and Geoff Johns Danny Elfman Zack Snyder'sJustice League Zack Snyder Zack Snyder, Chris Terrio and Will Beall Chris Terrio Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder Junkie XL HBO MaxDC Universe filmsSuperman James Gunn David Corenswet James Gunn James Gunn and Peter Safran John MurphyDavid FlemingWarner Bros.Supergirl Craig Gillespie Milly Alcock Ana Nogueira Claudia SarneMan of Tomorrow James Gunn David Corenswet James Gunn David Fleming
Direct-to-video, cameos, and others 1954: Stamp Day for Superman — a short film produced for the U.S. Treasury to promote "Stamp Day", featuring George Reeves as Superman and Noel Neill as Lois Lane. 1992: Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation – direct-to-video, featuring Jonathan Winters as Superman. 2006: Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut — the director's cut of Superman II, featuring around 80% new footage originally shot by director Richard Donner, including material featuring Marlon Brando. 2006: Superman: Brainiac Attacks — direct-to-video film utilizing character designs from Superman: The Animated Series; starring Tim Daly and Dana Delany. 2017: DC Super Heroes vs. Eagle Talon — animated film in which Superman is voiced by Kenichi Suzumura. 2018: Teen Titans Go! To the Movies — animated film in which Superman is voiced by Nicolas Cage. 2019: Shazam! — part of the DC Extended Universe in which Superman cameos, portrayed using Ryan Hadley as a stand-in for Henry Cavill. Superman was also seen controlling a crowd of fans who wanted to have their pictures taken with Aquaman and arm-wrestling with Shazam in the film's animated end credits sequence. 2020: Superman: Red Son, where he lands in Ukraine and accepts Soviet values. 2022: DC League of Super-Pets — animated film in which Superman is voiced by John Krasinski. 2022: Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons – direct-to-video film in which Superman is voiced by Travis Willingham. 2022: Black Adam — part of the DC Extended Universe in which Superman cameos, played by Henry Cavill. 2023: The Flash — Superman cameos are portrayed by Henry Cavill, Nicolas Cage, Christopher Reeve, and George Reeves. Sasha Calle stars as Supergirl along with a cameo by Helen Slater.
Lego DC Comics films 2013: Lego Batman: The Movie - DC Super Heroes Unite — Superman is voiced by Travis Willingham. 2014: The Lego Movie — Superman appears brieftly, voiced by Channing Tatum. 2014: Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Batman Be-Leaguered — TV special featuring Nolan North as Superman. 2015: Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League — direct-to-video with Superman voiced by Nolan North. 2015: Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom — direct-to-video with Nolan North reprising his role as Superman. 2016: Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Cosmic Clash – direct-to-video with Nolan North reprising his role. 2017: The Lego Batman Movie — animated film featuring Superman with Channing Tatum reprising his role. 2019: The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part — animated film featuring Superman with Channing Tatum reprising his role.
Unofficial adaptations and parodies 1960: Return of Mr. Superman — Indian Hindi-language retelling of Superman, with the title role played by Paidi Jairaj. 1979: The Return of Superman (Turkish: Süpermen Dönüyor; also known as "Turkish Superman") — a Turkish adaptation directed by Kunt Tulgar and starring Tayfun Demir as Superman. 1980: Superman — Indian Telugu-language film starring N. T. Rama Rao as Superman. 1987: Superman — Indian Hindi-language film with Puneet Issar as Superman. 2011: The Death and Return of Superman — short film released on YouTube by writer Max Landis.
Animated Original Movies universe The DC Universe Animated Original Movies is a direct-to-video animated film series that often features Superman in a leading or supporting role. +DC Universe Animated Original MoviesTitleRelease dateVoice actorNotes2007Superman: DoomsdayAdam BaldwinBased on "The Death of Superman".2008Justice League: The New FrontierKyle MacLachlanBased on DC: The New Frontier by Darwyn Cooke.2009Superman/Batman: Public EnemiesTim DalyBased on "Superman/Batman: Public Enemies" by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness.2010Justice League: Crisis on Two EarthsMark HarmonBased on JLA: Earth 2 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely.Superman/Batman: ApocalypseTim DalyBased on "Superman/Batman: The Supergirl from Krypton" by Jeph Loeb and Michael Turner.Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black AdamGeorge NewbernShort film2011All-Star SupermanJames DentonBased on All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely.2012Justice League: DoomTim DalyBased on "JLA: Tower of Babel" by Mark Waid.Superman vs. The EliteGeorge NewbernBased on "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?" by Joe Kelly.2013Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (Part 2)Mark ValleySuperman only appears in the second part of this two-part adaptation of the eponymous graphic novel by Frank Miller.Superman: UnboundMatt BomerBased on "Brainiac" by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank.Justice League: The Flashpoint ParadoxSam DalyBased on "Flashpoint" by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert.2014JLA Adventures: Trapped in TimePeter JessopJustice League: War Alan TudykBased on "Justice League: Origin" by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee.2015Justice League: Throne of AtlantisJerry O'ConnellBased on "Throne of Atlantis" by Geoff Johns.Justice League: Gods and MonstersBenjamin BrattFeatures a reimagined version of Superman who is the son of General Zod.Justice League vs. Teen TitansJerry O'Connell2017Justice League Dark2018The Death of SupermanBased on "The Death of Superman".2019Reign of the SupermenBased on "Reign of the Supermen".Batman: HushBased on "Batman: Hush" by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee.Justice League vs. the Fatal FiveGeorge Newbern2020Superman: Red SonJason IsaacsBased on Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar.Justice League Dark: Apokolips WarJerry O'ConnellSuperman: Man of Tomorrow Darren Criss2021Justice Society: World War IICriss portrays the same character from Superman: Man of Tomorrow and a parallel reality version nicknamed 'Shakespeare'.InjusticeJustin HartleyHartley also portrays the Earth-1 version of the character. Based on the 2013 video game Injustice: Gods Among Us.2022Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super SonsTravis Willingham2023Legion of Super Heroes Darren CrissJustice League: Warworld2024Justice League: Crisis on Infinite EarthsCriss also portrays the Earth-2 version of the character. Based on Crisis on Infinite Earths by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez.
Pre-Donner films (1941–1951) Superman (1941–1943)