10 Best Pre-MCU Superhero Films
8. Superman
Richard Donner's first Superman picture is arguably the best outing the Man of Steel has had in his long cinematic history. It strikes the balance of tone excellently, giving us a truly wholesome and virtuous Superman (and a far cry from the regrettably lacklustre outings Kal-El has had since).
Based on a story writer Mario Puzo developed from the comics (yes, the very same Mario Puzo of The Godfather fame), this blockbuster foray into the superhero genre was at one time the most expensive film ever made. It's all here: the origin story, showing Jor-El (Marlon Brando) send his son Kal-El (played as an adult by Christopher Reeve) to Earth, whereupon he grows up in Kansas and of course ends up with his double life as Clark Kent and Superman, battling Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor as he tries to detonate a missile in the San Andreas Fault.
It's fun, it's big, it's bold. In short, it's everything a Superman film should be. And yes, the 'flying around the world so fast time goes backwards' ending is nonsense, but it's fun nonsense, so it gets a free pass.