Live-action movies and series from 1978-present (2025)
Breakdown:
Starring Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman:
Superman: The Movie (1978) directed by Richard Donner
Superman II (1980) directed by Richard Donner and Richard Lester
Superman I and II were filmed together, with Donner being replaced before the completion of movie 2. Lester was hired, refilmed many scenes, shot new ones, and left others out.
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006) directed by Richard Donner
Donner’s cut was put together in 2006 after footage was recovered for Superman Returns
Superman III (1983) directed by Richard Lester
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) directed by Sidney J. Furie
Main cast includes Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor (I, II, IV), Terence Stamp as General Zod (II)
Related film: Supergirl (1984) directed by Jeannot Szwarc, starring Helen Slater as Kara Zor-El/Linda Lee/Supergirl.
Starring John Haymes Newton (Season 1) and Gerard Christopher (Seasons 2-4) as Clark Kent/Superboy:
Superboy (1988-1992) developed by Ilya and Alexander Salkind
Mais cast includes Stacy Haiduk as Lana Lang, among others. On season 3 the series was renamed “The Adventures of Superboy”. The Salkinds were producers for the first 3 Reeve films and also Supergirl.
Starring Dean Cain as Clark Kent/Superman and Teri Hatcher as Lois Lane:
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-97) developed by Deborah Joy LeVine. 4 Seasons.
Starring Tom Welling as Clark Kent:
Smallville (2001-2011) developed by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. 10 seasons.
Main cast includes Erica Durance as Lois Lane (introduced in season 4), Kristin Kreuk as Lana Lang, Michael Ronsembaum as Lex Luthor, Annette O'Toole as Martha Kent, John Schneider as Jonathan Kent, Aaron Ashmore as Jimmy Olsen (introduced in season 6), Justin Hartley as Oliver Queen/Green Arrow (introduced in season 6)
Starring Brandon Routh as Clark Kent/Superman:
Superman Returns (2006) directed by Bryan Singer
The movie is a homage sequel to Superman II
Main cast includes Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane, Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor.
Starring Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman:
Man of Steel (2013) directed by Zack Snyder
Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) directed by Zack Snyder
Justice League (2017) directed by Zack Snyder and Joss Whedon
Snyder was the director during principal photography, having been replaced in post-production. Whedon was hired, refilmed some scenes, shot additional ones and left much footage out.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) directed by Zack Snyder
Also known as The Snyder Cut (of the 2017 movie).
Main cast includes Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Michael Shannon as General Zod (MoS), Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor (BvS), Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman (BvS, JL), Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman (BvS, JL), Ray Fisher as Victor Stone/Cyborg (JL)
These movies are part of the DC Extended Universe movie series. General Zod and Kara Zor-El/Supergirl (played by Sasha Calle) can be seen in The Flash (2023).
Starring Tyler Hoechlin as Clark Kent/Superman and Elizabeth Tulloch as Lois Lane:
Superman & Lois (2021-24) developed by Todd Helbing and Greg Berlanti. 4 Seasons.
Main cast includes Jordan Elsass (Seasons 1-2) and Michael Bishop (S3-4) as Jonathan Kent, Alex Garfin as Jordan Kent, Emmanuelle Chriqui as Lana Lang, Wolé Parks as John Henry Irons/Steel
Hoechlin made his debut as Superman in 2016 during the second season of Supergirl (2015-2021), starring Mellisa Bennoist as Kara Zor-El/Kara Danvers/Supergirl. He later reappeared in a few episodes of two crossover events of the series in the Arrowverse, side by side with Tulloch’s Lois, who first appeared in 2018, before they got their own series set in a new continuity.
Starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman:
Superman (2025) directed by James Gunn
Main cast includes Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt / Mister Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason / Metamorpho, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner / Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher
David Corenswet (Superman), Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), and Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor) photographed for Entertainment Weekly (feat. writer/director James Gunn).
