Every ‘Superman’ Movie, Ranked by IMDb
Which Superman movie is the best? Does James Gunn's new addition have a chance? Here's what IMDb ratings are telling us.
As James Gunn's fresh take on the Man of Steel continues to win fans worldwide, right now it is the perfect time to look back at other Superman movies.
From Christopher Reeve to Henry Cavill, Superman has been around for decades. So join us as we fly through every Superman film ever made.
10. ‘Superman IV: The Quest for Peace’ (1987)
IMDb score: 3.7/10.
Superman: Christopher Reeve.
Even Christopher Reeve's charm couldn't save Superman IV. Superman decides to rid the world of nuclear weapons, but Lex Luthor responds by creating Nuclear Man, a villain with perhaps the most ridiculous mullet in superhero movie history.
9. ‘Superman III’ (1983)
IMDb score: 5.0/10.
Superman: Christopher Reeve.
This is where things got weird for Superman. The film tried to balance comedy with action by adding Richard Pryor to the mix. It's mainly remembered for the junkyard fight where Superman battles his dark self, which was actually pretty cool.
8. ‘Justice League’ (2017)
IMDb score: 6.0/10.
Superman: Henry Cavill.
Superman returns in Justice League. While fans were divided on the film's quality (especially with Joss Whedon taking over from Zack Snyder), Henry Cavill's Superman was one of the bright spots.
7. ‘Superman Returns’ (2006)
IMDb score: 6.1/10.
Superman: Brandon Routh.
Though Superman Returns was visually stunning with some memorable sequences, many felt it was too reverent to the past and lacked action.
6. ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ (2016)
IMDb score: 6.4/10.
Superman: Henry Cavill.
Zack Snyder's ambitious film pitted the Dark Knight against the Man of Steel. While controversial among critics, many fans appreciated the darker take on Superman and the epic Batman showdown.
5. ‘Superman II’ (1980)
IMDb score: 6.8/10.
Superman: Christopher Reeve.
Often considered the best of the Christopher Reeve era, Superman II featured the iconic villain General Zod. The film balanced action, romance, and humor perfectly.
4. ‘Man of Steel’ (2013)
IMDb score: 7.1/10.
Superman: Henry Cavill.
Zack Snyder's gritty reboot successfully modernized Superman for a new generation. Henry Cavill's performance and Hans Zimmer's score were widely praised.
3. ‘Superman: The Movie’ (1978)
IMDb score: 7.4/10.
Superman: Christopher Reeve.
Richard Donner's film convinced audiences that a man could fly, and Christopher Reeve's portrayal remains the gold standard for many.
2. ‘Superman’ (2025)
IMDb score: 7.6/10.
Superman: David Corenswet.
James Gunn's reboot brought a fresh perspective to the character while honoring his comic book roots.
1. ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ (2021)
IMDb score: 7.9/10.
Superman: Henry Cavill.
The director's cut of Justice League gave fans what they wanted with a more coherent story and expanded character arcs.
