Few characters in pop-culture history have been reimagined as often — or as passionately — as Superman. Since his screen debut in the 1940s, the Man of Steel has been embodied by a long line of actors whose performances reflect the eras that shaped them. As new actors continue to step into the cape, the role has become less of a single legacy and more of a cultural prism, revealing how each generation envisions hope, heroism and humanity.
- Man of Steel (2013)
- Batman v Superman (2016)
- Justice League (2017)
- Justice League (2021)
There is much to be said about Henry Cavill’s divisive portrayal of the iconic character. His journey, beginning in Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel,” set a new dark precedent for the newly created DC Extended Universe. The lighter tones and bright colors associated with Superman’s character and costume are exchanged for navy blue and dark red. Visually and thematically, Cavill’s Superman takes a dark turn.
Superman is renowned for his unwavering love for humanity and dedication to doing the right thing, even in the most challenging of situations. In 2016’s “Batman v Superman,” we conversely see a dark and bleak portrayal of Superman, who has lost his place in the world and inevitably is put up against his comic-book pal Batman. A similarly gloomy feeling is continued in Cavill’s last leading role as Superman in the fiasco that was the “Justice League.”
Cavill’s Superman marked an interesting period for the character, in the same sense that John Mulaney’s Peter Porker in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is a sort of backwards reinterpretation of a classic character. Unfortunately for Cavill, he can’t be written off as a wacky character from an alternate universe. His final moment on screen was fittingly a post-credit scene in the box-office and critical disaster film that was “Black Adam” in 2022.
- Superman Returns (2006)
In a world before cinematic universes took hold of the superhero genre, there was the solo film: “Superman Returns,” directed by Bryan Singer, the man behind the X-Men films. This truly fascinating film re-casts Superman with Brandon Routh, yet still exists within the universe of the classic Reeve films and even re-uses archive footage of Marlon Brando’s Jor-el.
Despite other shortcomings in the movie, Routh’s performance is a standout. He has the charm and looks of Superman and makes for a believable Clark Kent. He nails both sides of the (super)man in a particularly convincing way, making the whole film feel like a true “Superman movie.”
The real tragedy of Routh’s run is that he never quite got the longevity to live in the character. With Reeve’s impressive five-film run spanning nearly a decade and Corenswet’s future film in the coming years, Routh remains the only one-off Superman actor.
- Superman (2025)
In classic James Gunn style, Superman returned with a punch of saturated colors and charisma played by the self-proclaimed movie and comic nerd David Corenswet. He felt like the comic book version of the character, with the depth, confusion, humor and empathy that are synonymous with Superman.
In a polar opposite style switch from the DCEU Superman films, “Superman” (2025) is an explosion of color and comic-accurate characters. Superman is seen as he should be in Corenswet and Gunn’s adaptation: humble, wearing an infectious smile and yet always willing to put it all on the line for humanity, not to mention his electric chemistry with co-star Rachel Brosnahan, who plays Lois Lane.
In a world full of ever-bleak color grading, “Superman” is bringing in a new wave of superhero movies that pop on screen. After years of reinterpretations and reimaginings, it’s refreshing to see a return to form — a return to good vs. evil and beautifully brilliant costumes that mark our heroes and villains. This is not to say that Corenswet’s Superman lacks nuance and depth, but is rather a modern-day visualization that would make the original artists proud.
- Superman (1978)
- Superman II (1980)
- Superman III (1983)
- Superman IV (1987)
Just as music would not be the same without The Beatles, Superman would not be Superman without Christopher Reeve. His Superman is, quite simply, the gold standard. He defined the character for a generation and set a template that still echoes in the portrayals of the Man of Steel today. Reeve brought an effortless charm, warmth and moral clarity to Superman, perfectly balancing the superhero’s near-godlike power with Clark Kent’s humility and vulnerability.
Reeve’s Superman was timeless because it captured the ideal without irony. The films were colorful, imaginative and full of joy, from the soaring flight sequences to John Williams’ memorable score which has become synonymous with heroism itself. Yet Reeve never played the role as a caricature; his Superman was approachable, compassionate and emotionally resonant. He made the audience believe that this was a hero who could love, falter and inspire all at once.
Equally as important was Reeve’s Clark Kent, whom he portrayed with subtle humor and an endearing awkwardness that contrasted beautifully with Superman’s commanding presence. Both identities felt lived-in, human and superhuman. Even decades later, the power of his performance lies in its clarity and purity; he gave us a Superman who is both ideal and relatable, aspirational yet grounded.
Christopher Reeve’s legacy is permanent. He didn’t just play Superman; he became the definitive symbol of hope and heroism. His interpretation remains the benchmark against which every Superman is measured, a luminous reminder that some portrayals transcend time and continue to inspire generations of fans and actors alike.
While the four actors above were only actors of feature films, Superman has been played a multitude of times in both live-action and animated TV shows. Although the likes of Kirk Alyn from the original show from the 1950s may be the most influential, it is in the subsequent theatrical releases that Superman leaped off the pages of the comics into the pop culture hall of fame (except for Cavill, who will definitely be omitted from said hall).
Nevertheless, it is with a hopeful mindset that Corenswet reimagines Superman as Reeve once did, forever bringing the character we know and love to the big screen in all of his glory.
This article was edited by Alfie Pritchard, Jessica Ackerman, and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Avery Grossman, Ryan Sieve and Jaden Maitland Anderson.
