This weekend is particularly exciting for Superman enthusiasts as James Gunn’s innovative interpretation of the Man of Steel debuts in theaters, and early indications suggest it is poised to achieve significant success at the box office. As one of the most beloved and iconic comic book characters in the history of pop culture, the performance delivered by David Corenswet is receiving a chorus of positive reviews. Just yesterday, we published our Superman Actors Ranked list, where our expert Tyler Nichols placed Corenswet near the top, reflecting the high expectations and excitement surrounding this new portrayal.
This week, as part of our ongoing engagement with fans at JoBlo, I contemplated converting Tyler’s rankings into a poll. However, I quickly realized it would be rather predictable; nearly everyone seems to agree that Christopher Reeve remains the definitive Superman. Given that the consensus is overwhelmingly in his favor, I opted instead to delve deeper into the extensive filmography of this iconic character rather than conducting a poll where the outcome would be largely one-sided. Exploring the various cinematic adaptations of Superman offers a richer understanding of his legacy.
It may come as a surprise to many that there are currently over a dozen Superman movies in existence. While it’s true that two of these films—Superman II: The Donner Cut and Zack Snyder’s Justice League—represent alternate versions of previously released films, they are significantly distinct cuts that illustrate the intricate and often contentious history of Superman on screen. This complexity only adds to the fascination and conversation surrounding the character’s cinematic legacy.
The Superman series has witnessed remarkable peaks, such as the groundbreaking Superman: The Movie, which not only achieved impressive box office numbers but also left a lasting cultural imprint. Conversely, it has experienced dismal lows, particularly with the fourth installment, The Quest for Peace, which has been frequently cited as among the poorest films ever made. This stark contrast in quality raises the question: has any other franchise experienced such extreme variations in cinematic excellence?
With all this in mind, we present our latest poll to the community. I am eager to see how fans perceive the Donner films in comparison to the Snyder movies, which have garnered a dedicated cult following among our readers, alongside Gunn’s ambitious new release. Participate in our poll and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section regarding the overall trajectory and quality of the Superman franchise as a whole.
