Ranking Every DC Comic Book Movie - From Worst to Best

4. Superman II (1980)

Infamously shot back-to-back with the original Superman in one of the most troubled productions in Hollywood history, Richard Donner had shot almost three-quarters of the sequel before he was unceremoniously replaced by Richard Lester. Remarkably, Superman II lived up to the high standards of its predecessor despite the behind-the-scenes problems and delivered a superhero sequel that comfortably lived up to the hype. There are some jarring tonal inconsistencies in the movie, which is to be expected given the changes made in the director's chair. Lester's penchant for comedy sits uneasily with Donner's more serious take on the material, and some of the slapstick exchanges are painfully unfunny and seem like they belong in a different movie. Similarly, many of the plot points feel like retreads from the original but the performances and special effects manage to offset the familiarity. The highlight of the movie is undoubtedly Terrence Stamp's General Zod, one of the most iconic villains in movie history. Providing a greater threat to Superman than he had faced in the original, the showdown between the Man of Steel and the Phantom Zone escapees is the movie's standout action sequence. Christopher Reeve again brings warmth and heart to the dual role of Superman and Clark Kent, with his character's arc allowing the actor to deliver an emotionally complex performance as he struggles with his duality. Superman II balances action, heart, suspense and humor much better than such a troubled project has any right to, with the end result being two hours of enjoyable entertainment.