Superman is arguably the most recognizable superhero of all time, and he’s been portrayed in countless ways over the decades – from cartoons to live-action films, and as both a young hero and an established family man. There’s a version of Superman for every fan, and we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best Superman moments from television history.
10. Crisis on Infinite Earths: Kingdom Come Superman
As a longtime follower of the Arrowverse, I have to say the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover was a fantastic send-off. It really delivered for both dedicated fans of these shows and comic book readers in general. One moment, in particular, blew me away: seeing Brandon Routh return as Superman! But this wasn’t just any Superman – he was playing the version from the beloved Kingdom Come storyline, and it was a truly special treat.
Brandon Routh famously played Superman in Superman Returns, but he didn’t get to play the role again until the Crisis on Infinite Earths TV event. Though all his scenes in the crossover were memorable, the one with Lois Lane and The Monitor is particularly impactful. Routh powerfully conveys his character’s desperate desire to save people and prevent the tragedy that befell his own world. His explanation of the meaning behind his Superman crest – and why he chose red and black – is deeply moving and makes you root for him.
9. Crisis on Infinite Earths: Return to Smallville
Beyond all the great moments in Crisis on Infinite Earths, one scene particularly resonated with fans of Smallville. The crossover event revisited the world of Smallville, bringing back Tom Welling for a face-to-face meeting with the CW’s version of Lex Luthor.
A standout scene happens when Lex Luthor attempts to harm Clark with Kryptonite, but Clark surprisingly catches the substance without any pain and casually tosses it away. He explains that it doesn’t affect him anymore because he willingly gave up his superpowers, which finally makes Lex understand that Clark now has a family and children.
Lex taunts Clark and throws a punch, but Clark easily catches it and counters with a blow of his own, remarking that he’s still the stronger one. The scene is completed by the return of Erica Durance as Lois, and it felt like a fitting farewell to Smallville, perfectly capturing what fans would expect from the show’s version of Clark Kent.
8. Superman & Lois – Superman Reveals His Identity
Let’s talk about the CW’s show, Superman & Lois, which is really good but doesn’t get enough attention. This scene happens after Emmitt finds out Clark Kent is actually Superman. Still upset about being embarrassed by Clark before, Emmitt goes to the diner with a gun and shoots him, leading to a really powerful and well-done sequence.
Time seemed to stop as Clark watched the bullet hurtle toward him. Fear gripped everyone in the diner, but Clark remained calm, considering his options. He glanced at Lois, then dramatically removed his glasses and ripped open his shirt, exposing the iconic S-shield. The bullet harmlessly bounced off his chest. As time resumed its normal pace, everyone stared in astonishment as Superman stood in Clark’s place, revealing his true identity. It was a breathtaking moment, and one that will stay with us for a long time.
7. Superman: The Animated Series: Apokolips Now
The animated series Superman featured many memorable scenes, and a lot of the best ones involved the villain Darkseid. One particularly striking storyline was Apokoplis Now, where Darkseid nearly conquered Earth after successfully capturing Superman.
This episode beautifully highlights the deep connection between Superman and the people of Metropolis, and how much the city loves him in return. Seeing Darkseid parade Superman around like a prize is shocking, but it’s this act that inspires the citizens to fight back and help him escape. This leads to a particularly heartbreaking moment when Superman is unable to save Dan Turpin from Darkseid, creating one of the series’ most vulnerable scenes. Superman’s powerful display of emotion and anger is rare, and this moment will likely stay with viewers long after the episode ends.
6. Smallville: Clark Tells Lois He’s The Blur
A touching moment occurs in Smallville after Lois realizes Clark is actually The Blur. This happens following an episode where he seemingly sacrifices himself to beat Zod. Lois then playfully tries to confirm her suspicions by testing his powers, and later, by subtly probing him while he’s treating a wound.
Lois simply wants Clark to confide in her, and the audience is eagerly hoping he will. Just when it seems he won’t, he finally opens up and shares his secret. This is immediately followed by a joyful Lois running to embrace him, and as they fall together, it’s impossible not to smile at her happiness. Clark is surprised to learn she already knew, and this moment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the beloved couple.
5. Smallville: Justice – Justice League Assembles
Even though Smallville has ended, we’re revisiting the story, now centering on the superhero team, the Justice League. Throughout the series, each League member will be introduced separately. In one particular episode, ‘Justice,’ the hero known as The Blur teams up with Green Arrow, Aquaman (Arthur Curry), Cyborg (Victor Stone), and Kid Flash (Bart Allen) to dismantle a hidden laboratory belonging to Lex Luthor.
Calling this team-up epic doesn’t even begin to cover it, particularly when it first happened. Each member had their own strengths, and it was amazing to see how effective they were as a team. Plus, the final shot of them walking away from the exploding lab was iconic – it really hurt Lex Luthor and paved the way for future stories.
4. Superman: The Animated Series – World’s Finest
If you enjoyed Batman: The Animated Series, you probably hoped to see a team-up with Superman: The Animated Series. That wish came true with the fantastic episode, “World’s Finest.” The story featured Batman arriving in Superman’s city, and Superman wasn’t thrilled about a vigilante operating there – or with Batman’s crime-fighting style.
This sets up an intense scene where Superman uses his X-ray vision to try and identify the person behind Batman’s mask. However, Batman cleverly escapes using kryptonite. Back at his apartment, Superman discovers someone has secretly placed a tracker on his cape. Looking out the window, he spots Batman watching him from a rooftop, confirming that Batman now knows his secret identity. It’s a brilliantly executed first encounter and remains one of the most memorable animated moments in DC history.
3. Smallville: Clark Finally Wears The Superman Suit
Throughout the run of Smallville, viewers anticipated the final season would finally show Clark Kent become Superman, though it wasn’t always certain to happen. The show delivered on that expectation in the series and season 10 finale, featuring both the famous Daily Planet newsroom and Clark’s first appearance as Superman.
Seeing Clark and Lois working together at the Daily Planet, a crisis quickly pulls Clark away. He rushes to the roof, and with the familiar Superman theme music swelling, he dramatically reveals his suit before soaring into the sky. It was a moment Smallville fans had been anticipating for a long time, and it definitely delivered.
2. Superman & Lois – Superman 2nd, Father 1st
One of my favorite Superman moments ever happens in Superman & Lois, before the scene at number 8 on our list. Earlier in the episode, a man attacked Clark’s son and threatened Lois with a gun. When Clark learns about it, he tells Lois he’s going to respond not as Superman, but as a father.
This scene is important because it’s one of the few times we see Clark acting as a protective parent while also using his superpowers. Any parent would be upset by Emmitt’s actions, and Clark’s response is exactly what a parent would do. He doesn’t budge when Emmitt shoves him, then firmly puts Emmitt down, warning him to never hurt his family again. This moment really highlights Clark’s humanity, which is a big part of why audiences connect with him.
1. Superman: The Animated Series: Legacy
Okay, so let’s talk about a fantastic scene from Superman: The Animated Series. This one picks up after the ‘Apokolips Now’ episode, and it’s the big showdown! Superman finally goes toe-to-toe with Darkseid on Apokolips, and it’s just a raw, physical fight. They’re pretty evenly matched, but honestly, Superman is really getting beat up.
Darkseid makes a critical error by responding to Superman’s mention of Dan Turpin with a dismissive “who?” He then mocks Superman and threatens widespread destruction, prompting him to fire his Omega Beams. In a surprising move, Superman grabs Darkseid’s head, and the beams end up destroying Darkseid’s vision. It’s unusual to see Darkseid harmed, let alone defeated, but Superman isn’t finished. He lifts Darkseid’s body and throws him down to the crowd below, allowing them to finally exact their revenge – a clear demonstration of how far Darkseid had provoked the Man of Steel.
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2026-02-05 07:42