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Ranking Superman Films

Superman movies have fewer entries than the ones starring Batman, and overall they are of a lesser quality. There are some pretty good movies on this list, but there are some horrible ones even. It is unfortunate that such an iconic superhero did not get a better filmography. Ranking these movies was very easy for me as there are clear best and clear worst ones so here we go.

7. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace

By far at the bottom has to be Superman IV. Yes, this movie is just as bad as everybody keeps saying it is. The action is hilariously bad as are the characters who are horribly misused in entirety. The story is also unfortunately uninspired, and the film even looks terrible with bad special effects. It ended the franchise in 1987 on such an atrocious note.

6. Superman III

Superman III has a strong Christopher Reeve performance and the romantic parts worked, but everything else is so objectively bad. The villain is horrible, the Richard Pryor character is so unbelievable and the entire storyline is ridiculously campy, implausible and filled with stupid slapstick scenes that go on forever instead of action or any superheroics really.

5. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Now is the point where we get to the good stuff. Well, at least the solid stuff. Batman v Superman is an unfortunately derided movie that is actually overall quite solid and bold in its impressively mature storytelling. However, Batman is better treated here than Superman who got an overall weaker, less developed storyline.

4. Man of Steel

Man of Steel was ruined by that bombastic, very annoying third act which was spectacle over any substance, but before that the movie was actually a commendably mature, more modernized take on the Superman mythos with a particularly strong, very memorable first act. It’s a harshly judged movie that is flawed, but overall respectable in what it set out to do.

3. Superman Returns

Superman Returns is also annoyingly judged by the so-called “fans of the franchise” when in actuality it is the only movie made after the original franchise that was reminiscent to it, especially the first movie. That meant it was sillier of course, but it was also a very well scored and made movie with a great emphasis on character development instead of action.

2. Superman

The original Superman gets the second spot on my list. It is very silly at times and overall its bloated runtime was unnecessary, but it is an inspired film for its time, especially in its groundbreaking VFX and such an amazing, unforgettable score from the great John Williams. The movie is too silly in some plot points, but it is so charming and wonderful in its central romance which is to me the highlight of this feature.

1. Superman II

And the first spot goes to Superman II which actually trumps its predecessor. Yes, it is still silly in many scenes, but undeniably endearing in its silliness, and so incredibly entertaining from beginning to end. It has some terrific villains, and a couple of very good fights as well. I also really appreciated the continued romance between Clark and Lois that was here again the standout element of the picture. Consequently, it’s the only Superman movie that is very good across the board and a clear choice for my number one.