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Summary
The manySupermanmovies have had variegate degrees of achiever at the box part , but how do they order among one another when adjusted for rising prices ? Thebox federal agency performance ofSupermanmovieshas often been at the forefront of superhero cinema . Richard Donner’sSupermanarguably kickstarted the so - called Golden Age of superhero movies , while franchises like the DCEU positioned the Man of Steel at the snapper of a sprawling franchise .
Evenupcoming DC movieswill have Superman be incredibly significant , with James Gunn ’s 2025Supermanhopefully perform well commercially to sincerely kickstart the new franchise . Regardless of howSupermanmovies have been rankedconcerning quality , box office staff performance has always been studied . Interestingly , though , corner position receipts are rarely adjusted for inflation , begging the doubt of how eachSupermanmovie do comparatively when placed on an even playing champaign .
The following tilt lie only of live - natural action Superman film from Richard Donner ’s 1978 Superman and forward .
With so many pic in his back - catalog , here is how to watch every Superman movie in chronological order and in society of their release dates .
6Superman IV: The Quest for Peace - 1987
The Fourth Christopher Reeve Superman Film Is The Lowest-Grossing When Adjusted For Inflation
Directed By
Sidney J. Furie
Worldwide Box Office
$ 30,281,020
Worldwide Box Office Adjusted For Inflation
$ 83,745,945
The lowest - grossingSupermanmovie in story isSuperman IV : The Quest for Peace . The picture was critically pan upon release , which likely contributed to its poor box office execution . As per numbers amass byBox Office Mojo , Superman IV : The Quest for Peacegarnered a measly $ 15 million gross domestically . When mix with a further $ 14 million from overseas , Superman IVslumped to a lowly ecumenical sum of just over $ 30 million upon its dismission in 1987 .
Even when aline for ostentatiousness , Superman IVremains the lowest - grossingSupermanmovie . The rate of ostentation between 1987 and 2024 meansSuperman IVgrossed an adjusted global total of $ 83 million . This falls little of the many other live - actionSupermanmovies issue both before and afterThe Quest for Peace , make it the lowest ranking among its franchise peers both commercially and critically .
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Cast
Superman IV : The Quest for Peace stars Christopher Reeve as the iconic superhero who takes on the global terror of nuclear weapons . direct by Sidney J. Furie , the film features Gene Hackman repeat his function as Lex Luthor , who creates a unexampled adversary for Superman in an attempt to accomplish world mastery . The movie canvass themes of peace and conflict in the backdrop of Cold War tenseness , remain the legacy of the Superman franchise .
Christopher Reeve ’s portrayal of Superman is widely hold dear , but 1987 ’s Superman IV : The Quest for Peace is still see as the big Superman motion picture .
5Superman III - 1983
Christopher Reeve’s Third Superman Appearance Ranks Higher Than Its Successor
Richard Lester
$ 80,250,623
$ 253,139,954
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace stars Christopher Reeve as the iconic superhero who takes on the global threat of nuclear weapons. Directed by Sidney J. Furie, the film features Gene Hackman reprising his role as Lex Luthor, who creates a new adversary for Superman in an attempt to achieve world domination. The movie examines themes of peace and conflict in the backdrop of Cold War tensions, continuing the legacy of the Superman franchise.
Superman IIIwas released four years beforeSuperman IV : The Quest for Peacein 1983 . While not as pan off as its replacement , Superman IIIwas still poorly receive by fans and critics alike . This also realize dwindling returns at the box office from its predecessors , range as the second - lowestSupermanmovie at the worldwide box place . The poor reception criticize the film for its silliness , slapstick humour , and retrograde of plot point from its two predecessors , which likely kick in to its poor commercial run .
That being said , Superman IIIstill earned almost double whatSuperman IVwould go on to garner . A domestic sum of just under $ 60 million and an overseas haulage of $ 20 million sawSuperman IIIearn a world-wide total of $ 80 million in 1983 . Given that it come out beforeSuperman IV , the inflation rate forSuperman III ’s lucre is gravid . This means that , once correct to match 2024,Superman III ’s world-wide aggregate is over $ 250 million , over three times the adjusted aggregate forSuperman IV : The Quest for Peace .
Superman III have Christopher Reeve reprising his role as the iconic superhero . In this third installment , Superman faces challenges from a affluent executive and a genius programmer tasked with developing synthetic kryptonite , leading to unlooked-for complications . Alongside these struggles , he reconnects with a preceding love and combats a unnerving supercomputer .
4Superman Returns - 2006
Brandon Routh’s First Outing As The Son Of Krypton Is A Middling Box Office Entry
Bryan Singer
$ 391,081,192
$ 609,463,955
After the unsatisfying box spot reappearance ofSuperman IIIand especiallySuperman IV , the Man of Steel undergo a hot - activeness abatement . This hiatus lasted almost two decades until 2006 when Bryan Singer revived the enfranchisement amid the increase popularity of superhero cinema . In term of overall box federal agency , Superman Returns- which starred Brandon Routh in the titular role - is the second - highest - grossingSupermanmovie of all timewith a domestic total of just over $ 200 million , which combined with an overseas total of $ 191 million for a worldwide haulage of $ 391 million .
When matter Batman vs. Superman : Dawn of Justice , Superman Returns is the third - highest - gross Superman movie of all metre .
give thatSuperman Returnsis the 2d most recent live - actionSupermanmovie , its adjustment for rising prices is not quite as drastic as some early iteration . This explains why the second - highest - grossingSupermanfilm in history is only the fourth - highest when line up for ostentatiousness . The ostentatiousness changes between 2006 and 2024 see the adjusted worldwide full forSuperman Returnssitting at just over $ 600 million , over double the total for 1983’sSupermanIII .
Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns follows the events surrounding the hero’s return to Earth after a five-year absence. When Superman (Brandon Routh) arrives back on Earth, he discovers that Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) has developed a plan to use kryptonite crystals to establish a new landmass that he intends to sell off to the highest bidder. With Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) now married with a child, Superman must come to terms with everything he left behind in order to stop Luthor’s villainous scheme.
Bryan Singer ’s Superman Returns follows the events surrounding the fighter ’s return to Earth after a five - year absence seizure . When Superman ( Brandon Routh ) arrives back on Earth , he discovers that Lex Luthor ( Kevin Spacey ) has developed a plan to employ kryptonite watch crystal to establish a Modern landmass that he intends to sell off to the high bidder . With Lois Lane ( Kate Bosworth ) now married with a child , Superman must make out to term with everything he leave behind so as to stop Luthor ’s villainous scheme .
3Superman II - 1980
The Second Christopher Reeve Superman Performed Well At The Box Office
$ 216,385,706
$ 825,036,155
The second picture starring Christopher Reeve as Superman wasSuperman II , release in 1980 . Like the first movie , Superman IIis often consider one of the better soloSupermanmovies in chronicle , before the third and fourth installment pretty soured the franchise . Due to the impregnable release reception of the picture show , Superman IIwas a commercial-grade winner , gross just beneath $ 110 million both domestically and overseas for a $ 216 worldwide haul , as perBox Office Mojo .
Superman II polemically changed directors during production , replacing Richard Donner with Lester , direct to the late release of Superman II : The Richard Donner Cut .
When this amount is align for inflation , Superman IIbecomes the third - eminent - grossingSupermanmovie of all time . The picture show almost gained 2nd berth due to the unattackable inflation between 1980 and 2024 , but could not subdue a more recent , more successfulSupermaniteration . Regardless , Superman II ’s box office aggregate after inflation is take into chronicle stands at $ 825 million , prove how well the photographic film was received in 1980 .
Superman II ( 1980 ) visit Christopher Reeve reprise his theatrical role as the Man of Steel , battle General Zod ( Terence Stamp ) and his follower , who lam from the Phantom Zone and threaten Earth . Meanwhile , Superman must grapple with his feelings for Lois Lane ( Margot Kidder ) and the loss of his powers . Directed by Richard Lester , the photographic film combines constituent of action at law , Romance language , and moral dilemmas , continuing the narrative of the iconic superhero .
2Man of Steel - 2013
The DCEU’s Reboot Of Superman Holds A Strong Box Office Total
Zack Snyder
$ 670,145,518
$ 903,784,681
Superman II (1980) sees Christopher Reeve reprise his role as the Man of Steel, battling General Zod (Terence Stamp) and his followers, who escape from the Phantom Zone and threaten Earth. Meanwhile, Superman must grapple with his feelings for Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) and the loss of his powers. Directed by Richard Lester, the film combines elements of action, romance, and moral dilemmas, continuing the narrative of the iconic superhero.
Despite a reboot of Superman being expel in 2006 , Warner Bros. decide to do so again to match the success of Marvel Studios . The MCU start short afterSuperman Returns , making share comic book movie universes the next big thing in Hollywood . DC did not want to be left behind , leading to the DC Extended Universe that began with 2013’sMan of Steel . Recasting Henry Cavill as the titular hero sandwich , Man of Steelwas a satisfying if somewhat dissentious entry into the franchise , beginning theDCEU ’s movie timeline .
dissentious elements aside , Man of Steelwas a commercial-grade success upon its loss in 2013 . With a worldwide sum of $ 670 million , Man of Steelis the fifth - highest - gross DCEU movie , despite 14 installments coming after it . As the highest - grossingSupermanmovie in chronicle , Man of Steel ’s ostentatiousness - adjusted box office total stands at around $ 903 million , just edging outSuperman II.Man of Steel ’s success should arguably have led to more adventures for Cavill ’s character , butJames Gunn ’s DCU Supermanis take over as of 2025 .
Man of Steel is a 2013 reboot of the Superman franchise , aim by Zack Snyder . Henry Cavill asterisk as Clark Kent , who discovers his extraterrestrial origins and extraordinary powers .
Man of Steel is a 2013 reboot of the Superman franchise, directed by Zack Snyder. Henry Cavill stars as Clark Kent, who discovers his extraterrestrial origins and extraordinary powers.
Henry Cavill was ab initio slated to return to his iconic role as Superman in Man of Steel 2 , but the sequel was eventually canceled by DC Studios .
1Superman - 1978
The Superman Movie That Began It All Is The Biggest Box Office Success
Richard Donner
$ 300,478,449
$ 1,447,895,961
When adjusting for inflation , the most successfulSupermanmovie in box office history is the 1978 original . Despite only being the third - highest - grossingSupermanmovie with an original worldwide sum of $ 300 million , Supermanis also the most dated release in the franchise . As such , the pomposity rate is much steeper , putting into setting just how successful the first Christopher Reeve , Richard Donner - directedSupermanmoviewas . Superman ’s box office run see it accumulate a domesticated total of over $ 130 million , with an overseas haul of just over $ 165 million total the aforementioned $ 300 million gross .
No otherSupermanmovie has a boxwood office aggregate Second Earl of Guilford of $ 1 billion when conform for puffiness , try out the true success of 1978’sSuperman …
When adjust for ostentation , this $ 300 million total becomes a astonishing $ 1.4 billion . No otherSupermanmovie has a box berth total north of $ 1 billion when adjusted for inflation , try out the reliable succeeder of 1978’sSuperman . If anything , 1978’sSupermanbeing the highest - grossing picture starring the DC picture after inflation show that Superman involve more success on the great screen . James Gunn will be hoping to rectify this whenSupermanopens in theaters in July 2025 , kickstarting the DCU and hopefully a fresh long time of theatrical dominance for the Last Son of Krypton .
Superman , direct by Richard Donner , stars Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent , an unknown from the planet Krypton last on Earth who adopts the character of Superman to protect humanity . secrete in 1978 , the cinema features Gene Hackman as the baddie Lex Luthor , who create a plan that imperil zillion of living . Margot Kidder co - stars as Lois Lane , a journalist at the Daily Planet and Clark Kent ’s co-worker .
Superman, directed by Richard Donner, stars Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent, an alien from the planet Krypton living on Earth who adopts the persona of Superman to protect humanity. Released in 1978, the film features Gene Hackman as the villain Lex Luthor, who creates a plan that threatens millions of lives. Margot Kidder co-stars as Lois Lane, a journalist at the Daily Planet and Clark Kent’s colleague.
