As the flagship superhero of DC Comics, Superman is second only to Batman for his number of live-action appearances in television and film across his 85-year history.
From Christopher Reeve’s iconic portrayal of the superhero across four films to his prominent role in the DC Extended Universe, Superman is present in virtually every central live-action depiction of a shared DC Universe, in addition to his numerous standalone projects. And with over two dozen live-action film and television appearances, it’s easy to lose track of where to begin watching Superman’s adventures, either in release or chronological order.
Fortunately, Popverse is here to help with a comprehensive guide to Superman’s entire live-action filmography, whether returning to the movie serials of the ‘40s and ‘50s or catching his multiple television series on the CW.
Here are all the live-action appearances of Superman, how they’re connected, and what we can expect next from the Man of Steel in television and film.
Superman movies and TV shows in release order
Superman has had live-action depictions for 75 years, dating back to Kirk Alyn starring in a 1948 movie serial titled Superman. After a second Alyn-starring sequel, George Reeves took on the mantle of the Man of Steel for the 1951 feature film Superman and the Mole Men, which led to the successful Adventures of Superman television series the following year.
After Reeves’ death and the end of the series, Superman’s live-action legacy lay dormant for nearly 20 years.
After the television broadcast of the admittedly bizarre musical It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman in 1975, starring David Wilson as Superman; Christopher Reeve claims the role for a series of four films starting in 1978. Universally praised for his performance, Reeve steps away from the role in 1987, with Superman’s live-action projects shifting to television for nearly…