Superman - Watch Order: Classic Films

1978 - 20065 Films9h 58m3.2 Average

The definitive Christopher Reeve era represents the golden age of Superman cinema, anchored by Richard Donner's masterful vision and Reeve's perfect embodiment of both Clark Kent and the Man of Steel. This watch order uses The Richard Donner Cut of Superman II to maintain narrative consistency with the first film's tone and character development.

Supergirl is included as it takes place in the same universe, though it functions more as an optional spin-off since Superman himself doesn't appear.

1
Superman poster

Superman

19782h 23m4.1
Director: Richard Donner
Cast: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Ned Beatty

Mild-mannered Clark Kent works as a reporter at the Daily Planet alongside his crush, Lois Lane. Clark must summon his superhero alter-ego when the nefarious Lex Luthor launches a plan to take over the world.

Science FictionActionAdventure
2
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut poster

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

20061h 56m4.3
Director: Richard Donner
Cast: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Ned Beatty

Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.

Science FictionActionAdventure
3
Superman III poster

Superman III

19832h 5m2.8
Director: Richard Lester
Cast: Christopher Reeve, Richard Pryor, Jackie Cooper, Marc McClure, Annette O'Toole

Aiming to defeat the Man of Steel, wealthy executive Ross Webster hires bumbling but brilliant Gus Gorman to develop synthetic kryptonite, which yields some unexpected psychological effects. Between rekindling romance with his high school sweetheart and saving himself, Superman must contend with a powerful supercomputer.

ComedyScience FictionActionAdventure
4
Supergirl poster

Supergirl

19842h 4m2.7
Director: Jeannot Szwarc
Cast: Faye Dunaway, Helen Slater, Peter O'Toole, Mia Farrow, Brenda Vaccaro

After losing a powerful orb, Kara, Superman's cousin, comes to Earth to retrieve it and instead finds herself up against a wicked witch.

AdventureFantasyActionScience Fiction
5
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace poster

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace

19871h 30m2.1
Director: Sidney J. Furie
Cast: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Mariel Hemingway, Jackie Cooper

With global superpowers engaged in an increasingly hostile arms race, Superman leads a crusade to rid the world of nuclear weapons. But Lex Luthor, recently sprung from jail, is declaring war on the Man of Steel and his quest to save the planet. Using a strand of Superman's hair, Luthor synthesizes a powerful ally known as Nuclear Man and ignites an epic battle spanning Earth and space.

ActionAdventureScience Fiction