Superman has been on screen for nearly a century, and the “right” watch order depends on what you want: a simple release-date marathon, or a storyline-focused run that follows each era of the character. The tricky part is that Superman movies aren’t one continuous timeline—there are distinct versions, including the classic Christopher Reeve films, the later Superman Returns continuation, the Henry Cavill era tied to the wider DC superhero universe, and the newest reboot.
Below is an easy guide to watching the Superman movies in order, listed by title and release year, so you can follow the character’s on-screen history from the earliest appearances to the most recent big-screen take.
Superman (1948)
The first onscreen Superman appeared in a 15-episode movie serial starring Kirk Alyn. These black-and-white chapter play films were shown in theaters before TV became popular, and they mark the very beginning of Superman on screen.
Atom Man vs. Superman (1950)
Next came another serial sequel where Superman battles the villainous Atom Man. Like the 1948 serial, it’s short, old-school, and fun as a piece of Superman history.
Superman and the Mole Men (1951)
This film is considered the first feature-length Superman movie. George Reeves stars as Superman facing off against mysterious underground creatures. It also served as a bridge to the 1950s Adventures of Superman TV series.
Superman: The Movie (1978)
Starring Christopher Reeve, this is the first big blockbuster Superman film most people remember. It introduced a generation to the Man of Steel and set a template for superhero movies that followed.
Superman II (1980)
The first sequel continues Clark Kent and Superman’s adventures as new Kryptonian enemies arrive on Earth.
Superman III (1983)
Christopher Reeve returns for a third chapter, this time involving a tech villain and a darker look at a corrupted Superman.
Supergirl (1984)
Although Supergirl focuses on Superman’s cousin Kara Zor-El, it’s set in the same universe as Reeve’s films. Fans often include it when watching this era of Superman movies.
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
The final Reeve-era film deals with Superman trying to rid the world of nuclear weapons, but it’s known more for its mixed reception.
Superman Returns (2006)
After a long gap, Brandon Routh starred as Superman in this Bryan Singer film. It acts as a sort of sequel to Superman II, bringing the character back to Earth after an absence.
Man of Steel (2013)
Henry Cavill took over the role in Man of Steel, a reboot that retold Superman’s origin in a modern style and launched a new era of DC movies.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
This film expands Cavill’s Superman into a shared universe, pairing him with Batman and setting up future team-up movies.
Justice League (2017) and Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Superman joins other heroes like Wonder Woman and Aquaman in Justice League. There are two versions worth watching: the original theatrical cut and the longer director’s cut (Zack Snyder’s Justice League), which gives a fuller story.
Black Adam (2022) (optional)
While not a Superman film, Cavill’s Superman makes a brief cameo in Black Adam, so some fans include it when watching everything with Cavill.
Superman (2025)
This is the latest big-screen Superman, launching a fresh DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran with David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman.
How to Watch
If you’re watching for story continuity, start with the oldest serials for historical context, then the 1978 Reeve era, followed by Superman Returns, then the modern Cavill arc through Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, Justice League (both cuts), and finally the 2025 reboot.
