Every Live-Action Version of Superman Ranked From Worst to Best

by

On the 18th of April, 1938, Action Comics issue #1 was released to the public. Inside, a new character named Superman, created by writers Jerry Siegel and artists Joe Shuster, made his debut. His incredible powers quickly captured people’s hearts, and it wasn’t long before he soared not just over tall buildings but into other realms of popular culture. Radio dramas in the 1940s and Superman cartoons produced by Fleischer Studios demonstrated that this hero had a lasting impact beyond the comic book world.

Ever since, numerous actors have taken on the role of Superman/Clark Kent in live-action movies and TV shows. Not every performance has been universally loved by Superman fans or etched into pop culture history overnight. Yet, when evaluating them from the least favorite to the most admired, it’s evident that they’ve all left an indelible mark on global audiences. Superman isn’t isolated, and neither are the actors who’ve played him in live-action productions.

8) Henry Cavill

Issues with Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Superman were widespread, not due to debates about comic book authenticity. The characterization fell flat from head to toe, starting with his unappealing super suit. The texture on this outfit was visually displeasing, and the decision to remove the red trunks was a misstep. A single contrasting piece of clothing saved the standard Superman attire from being an overpowering mass of continuous blue. Furthermore, Cavill found it challenging to convincingly portray either the enjoyable or dramatically engaging aspects of the Clark Kent and Superman characters.

The performance of Henry Cavill as Superman wasn’t particularly captivating, which was a disadvantage that negatively impacted other films like Argylle and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. His absence of a strong presence in the role turned Superman into a personality vacuum. To put it simply, watching this version of Superman across his appearances in the DC Extended Universe was not very engaging. Kudos to Cavill and the team for attempting something fresh with the character, but the execution was disappointingly dull. When even the Superman costume appears uninspired, you know things aren’t going well.

7) George Reeves

The intensity inherent in George Reeves’ portrayal of Superman is hard to ignore, be it his frequent collisions with walls or perhaps the fact that he seemed older than many other actors who’ve played the role. It might also be due to the similarity between Reeves and Henry Cavill in their struggle to distinguish Clark Kent from Superman. This portrayal of Superman, though considered one of the less effective live-action versions, deserves recognition for successfully demonstrating that this character could thrive in a long-running television series. Actors like Tom Welling, Dean Cain, and many others can attribute their careers to George Reeves’ pioneering work.

6) Dean Cain

Dean Cain’s portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman over four seasons in “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” is undeniably enjoyable, capturing the friendly vibe typical of ’90s genre TV shows on ABC. However, it’s clear that Teri Hatcher’s performance as Lois Lane garnered significantly more acclaim. Additionally, the limitations of the writing and depth that a show from this era could offer meant Cain’s Superman was often shallow. While there are brief moments of enjoyment with this Superman, they fail to leave a lasting impact.

5) Brandon Routh

I’m grateful for the Arrowverse, as without it, Brandon Routh’s portrayal of Superman might have been overlooked due to the reception of “Superman Returns.” In a world without the interconnected DC shows, Routh might not have ranked as highly as Cavill on this list. To be fair, “Superman Returns” was a rather gloomy film that burdened Routh with a one-dimensional Superman who seemed overly focused on emulating Christopher Reeve’s character. The melancholic mood and nostalgia-laden script of the movie didn’t leave much space for Routh to infuse his own personality into the role.

During the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” event in 2019, Rotuh resumed his role as Superman, portraying a character influenced by the Kingdom Come comics miniseries. This new interpretation provided Routh with a wealth of material to explore, particularly focusing on this Superman’s long-standing losses (such as Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen). The small screen offered Routh an opportunity for redemption that effectively erased the lingering bitterness of Superman Returns.

4) Tyler Hoechlin

Following his captivating performance as a standout supporting actor in “Everybody Wants Some!!”, it came as no shock that Tyler Hoechlin played an impressive Superman across multiple shows in the Arrowverse, including his self-titled series “Superman & Lois”. Hoechlin delivered a classic portrayal of the character, making his straightforward crusades for truth and justice compelling. Although not the most intricate interpretation of Superman, Hoechlin was still enjoyable to watch as he embodied a traditional version of this superhero.

3) Tom Welling

In most adaptations of Superman, the duality between Superman and Clark Kent is emphasized. However, in the TV series Smallville, it was Clark Kent who took center stage throughout the production. This lengthy portrayal of Superman’s origin allowed Tom Welling to convincingly show what it would be like to grow up as a teenager with superpowers. His exceptional chemistry with co-stars such as Kristen Kreuk and Erica Durance (particularly in their roles as Lana Lang and Lois Lane) further demonstrated Welling’s exceptional talent within the intimate settings of Smallville. Remarkably, Welling didn’t have to regularly wear a cape to become one of the outstanding live-action portrayals of Clark Kent/Superman.

2) David Corenswet

After all these years, I’ve come to realize that there’s another talented individual who can bring an exceptional Superman to life on the big screen, apart from Christopher Reeve. In his debut leading role in a film, David Corenswet truly excelled as Clark Kent/Superman in every aspect. For instance, he wholeheartedly embraced the role without a trace of sarcasm or irony. Lines that might have seemed cheesy in other performers’ hands instead became heartfelt and sincere expressions of Superman’s unwavering dedication to goodness.

Instead of Henry Cavill’s tank-like build giving off an unapproachable vibe, Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman (Corenswet) exudes warmth and friendliness, making him a lovable character for Metropolis citizens. He’s not just perfect for action scenes; he emanates optimism. The chemistry between Corenswet and the entire Superman cast (including Rachel Brosnahan, Nathan Fillion, and CG Krypto) adds to this charm. Unlike Cavill’s Superman who was more of a blank canvas and Routh’s Superman who seemed too fixated on the past, Corenswet’s portrayal offers a fresh, engaging take that leaves a lasting impression.

1) Christopher Reeve

Is there anyone else on Earth who could have surpassed this list? While Christopher Reeve wasn’t the initial live-action actor to portray Superman/Clark Kent in a movie (that title belongs to George Reeves), he is undoubtedly the standard that all subsequent live-action interpretations of the character, across any medium, will be measured against. Christopher Reeve’s Superman was an absolute delight, embodying a charming and endearing personality. He’s the type of gentle spirit you’d want by your side during difficult times. Moreover, his Superman costume remains unmatched; the vibrant colors and textures make it stand out among all other Superman suits.

Christopher Reeve excelled at seamlessly transitioning between the characters of Clark Kent and Superman, making it appear effortless even though many actors struggle to accomplish this feat. His exceptional ability to balance these roles was rarely matched, and it shone through in every Superman film, even those that were less successful critically. Reeve’s dedication and talent as Superman are unparalleled, and he truly embodied the character, earning numerous accolades as one of the standout performances in comic book adaptations.

Superman (2025) is now playing in theaters.

https://comicbook.com/comics/news/lex-luthor-most-comic-accurate-villain-ever-superman-james-gunn-nicholas-hoult/embed/#

Read More

2025-07-25 19:42