Every Live-Action Superman Movie & TV Show Ranked

A sequel to the first two original films, Superman Returns was an interesting way for the Man of Steel to make his return to the big screen. With no live action films since Superman IV, Superman Returns attempted to capture the magic of the original Richard Donner films. And to an extent, it succeeded.

Brandon Routh makes a great Superman. Routh embodies Christopher Reeve’s Superman, capturing the gentle persona that the character is known for. The story itself is interesting as well, with Superman returning from a quest to discover Krypton (a scene that was sadly cut from the film).

While the film is not heavy on action, it does feature a terrific action set piece involving a plane crash. Aside from the scene, the film centres more on the melodrama aspects revolving around Superman’s five-year absence and the progression of both Superman and Lois Lane’s lives.

Overall, the film is not a soaring success, but it is one of the more under-appreciated outings in Superman’s filmography.