Summary
- DC's animated films showcase different qualities of Superman, appealing to both comic book fans and newcomers.
- Movies like Superman: Red Son explore alternate concepts, adding unique twists to well-known characters.
- Films like Superman/Batman: Public Enemies highlight the strong partnership and friendship between Superman and Batman.
For decades, DC’s Superman has impacted live-action cinema and television, with iconic portrayals by Christopher Reeve, Tyler Hoechlin, and the upcoming David Corenswet. However, Superman has also had a significant presence in the animated side of DC’s history, from the original Max Fleischer animated serial to the various DC animated movies featuring the character.
8 Best DC Animated Series, Ranked
DC Comics has been prominent in movies and games, but their animated shows are where they really stand out amongst the rest.
The animated films tend to be inspired by or directly translated from various comics, but fortunately, anyone from hardcore comic book fans to newcomers can enjoy them. They are often standalone films, each showcasing the different qualities of Superman, including his value for life and his willingness to confront powerful villains despite nearly impossible odds.
10 Superman: Doomsday
Superman Fights Himself In This Adaptation Of An Iconic Story
Superman: Doomsday
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- September 18, 2007
- Runtime
- 75 minutes
- Director
- Lauren Montgomery, Bruce W. Timm, Brandon Vietti
The first time DC adapted the famous Death Of Superman storyline in movie form was in the animated film Superman: Doomsday, made by the creators of the DC Animated Universe. It has many of the same plot points, even if the movie feels more like an abridged version of the story at times, with Superman being killed in action by the villain Doomsday.
Superman: Doomsday has a darker tone thanks to being a straight-to-video movie, allowing for a brutal fight with Doomsday and the climactic fight against the new threat. Rather than Cyborg Superman, the resurrected Superman has to contend with an evil clone who seeks to rule Metropolis with an iron fist.
9 Superman: Red Son
What If Superman Was Raised In Soviet Russia?
Superman: Red Son
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- February 24, 2020
- Runtime
- 84 minutes
- Director
- Sam Liu
Instead of the prime DC Universe, Elseworld stories are a fun way to explore different concepts with familiar characters, with Superman: Red Son, based on the graphic novel of the same name, being a prime example. It shows a world where Superman landed and was raised in Soviet Russia instead of small-town Kansas and becomes the country’s personal protector.
The concept results in a story that mixes superhero action with Cold War political drama that makes several changes from the novel, with some arguably being superior. From Superman’s contentious relationship with Joseph Stalin to Batman being a zealous terrorist out for revenge, it remains a unique Superman movie compared to the rest.
8 Superman/Batman: Apocalypse
Darkseid Is Superman's Greatest Enemies For A Reason
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- September 28, 2010
- Runtime
- 78 Minutes
- Director
- Lauren Montgomery
- Main Genre
- Science Fiction
- Studio(s)
- Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Animation, DC Comics
Tim Daly and Kevin Conroy, the legendary voice actors of the DC Animated Universe, return to their respective roles as Superman and Batman for Superman/Batman: Apocalypse. As Supergirl arrives on Earth, the two heroes have to work together to not only help her adjust to Earth customs but also her newfound powers.
Wonder Woman and Big Barda also play a big part in the journey, especially when Darkseid arrives as the big villain, alongside a few twists that may surprise viewers. Batman has a few moments to shine, but in the end, it is mainly a Superman and Supergirl story and that results in a memorable final fight with Darkseid that is worth checking out the movie for alone.
7 Superman: Unbound
Matt Bomer Proved To Be A Great Superman
Superman Unbound
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- May 7, 2013
- Director
- James Tucker
- Writers
- Geoff Johns, Bob Goodman, Gary Frank
Superman: Unbound is an often-forgotten DC animated film, heavily inspired by the Superman: Brainiac comic, featuring a darker storyline that is balanced out by Superman’s unfaltering love for Earth. Matt Bomer portrays Superman, and it demonstrates what he would have brought to the character in Man Of Steel, as he competed with Henry Cavill for the role.
Best Superman Movie Trailers, Ranked
From the original Christopher Reeve to the new David Corenswet, the Superman movies have used well-made trailers to draw audiences to theaters.
The story is rather straightforward in Superman: Unbound; Brainiac is invading Earth, and it’s up to Superman and Supergirl to stop him from adding Earth to his private collection. It’s action-packed from almost start to finish with Brainiac proving to be one of Superman’s greatest threats and part of that is due to a sinister performance by John Noble.
6 Superman: Man Of Tomorrow
Superman Kickstarted A New DC Animated Universe
Superman: Man of Tomorrow
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget endCast
-
Darren Criss -
Zachary Quinto -
Ike Amadi -
Eugene Byrd
- Release Date
- August 23, 2020
- Runtime
- 87 minutes
After the DC Animated Movie Universe ended with Justice League Dark: Apokolips War, Superman: Man Of Tomorrow came along to start a new universe of DC animated movies. It was a new modernized version of the origin story, putting little twists on the story as well as familiar ones to create a strong Superman story that all ages could enjoy.
There is a hefty focus on Superman’s human side in Superman: Man Of Tomorrow, showing how much he wants to be accepted in a world filled with bigotry and prejudice. Showing Clark Kent crying at movies about aliens or bonding with the Martian Manhunter creates a more grounded Superman while still showing him as a beacon of hope who fights the likes of Lobo and Parasite.
5 Superman Vs. The Elite
Superman Is The Purest Hero And That's A Good Thing
Superman vs. The Elite
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- June 12, 2012
- Runtime
- 76 Minutes
- Director
- Michael Chang
A movie that embodies everything that Superman stands for is Superman Vs. The Elite, has become more famous for its big third-act twist more than anything, but that doesn’t diminish the film itself. In a world that is seemingly obsessed with turning Superman into a villain, Superman Vs. The Elite showcases why Superman, being the ultimate good person, is a good thing.
The Elite are a new team of metahumans who prove to be capable superheroes, but they murder anyone who gets in their way without any quarter given. This leads to them conflicting with Superman and initiating a battle that displays how much control Superman has over his powers and leaves the viewer grateful that Superman doesn't turn evil like in the Injustice universe.
4 Superman/Batman: Public Enemies
The Power Of Their Friendship Saves The World
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- September 29, 2009
- Runtime
- 67 minutes
- Director
- Sam Liu
Two heroes can be better than one and Superman/Batman: Public Enemies showcases the friendship between the two titular heroes and how well they work together as partners. As a pairing, Superman and Batman can take on any foe, from supervillains to fellow members of the Justice League, while also bickering like a couple of brothers.
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The most iconic DC hero of all time has been voiced by some great talent over the decades, and here's a defining ranking of them.
Lex Luthor is the new President of the United States, and he turns both Superman and Batman into criminals that have to work together to prove that the new commander-in-chief is evil. It is yet another reunion of Kevin Conroy as Batman and Tim Daly as Superman; their chemistry carries most of the film, feeling almost like a buddy-cop movie at times, but
3 The Death Of Superman
A World Without Superman Is A Sad One
The Death Of Superman
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- July 24, 2018
- Runtime
- 81 minutes
- Director
- Sam Liu
Rather than compress a story like The Death Of Superman into one film, the DC Animated Movie Universe made it the first part of a duology of films that showcases the darkness of a world without Superman. The movie begins by showcasing how much the world has come to love Superman after his many years as a hero, including his fellow Justice League members.
The tension is palpable since, before Superman fights Doomsday, the villain is shown just how powerful he is by fighting the Justice League, with people like Aquaman and Wonder Woman failing to have an impact. So, when Superman dies at the end of the story, it feels on par with the ending of Avengers: Infinity War. It was the same feeling that readers felt all those years ago when Superman died in the comic.
2 Reign Of The Supermen
Superman Returns In The Most Climactic Way
Reign Of The Supermen
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- January 13, 2019
- Runtime
- 87 minutes
- Director
- Sam Liu
The second chapter of The Death Of Superman is Reign Of The Supermen, focusing on the world dealing with the aftermath of Superman's death, with people like Lois Lane and Bibbo Bibbowski struggling in a world without him. Even the Justice League’s various reactions to Superman’s death can be tear-jerking.
It even introduces potential Superman replacements like Cyborg Superman, Steel, and The Eradicator, building up to the eventual return of Superman. Suddenly, the world that had become so cynical and dark fills up with light and hope, despite Superman wearing a darker suit. The fights between the Supermen are a great highlight, especially the climactic showdown between Superman and Cyborg Superman, which has a twist that some fans might not expect.
1 All-Star Superman
The Final Days Of Superman Are Fun And Heartwarming
All Star Superman
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- February 22, 2011
- Runtime
- 76 minutes
- Director
- Sam Liu
Instead of depicting Superman battling aliens and beings from other dimensions, All-Star Superman offers a more introspective look at the superhero as he spends his final months of life. After absorbing too much solar radiation, Superman is now terminally ill, so he uses his remaining time with Lois Lane to accomplish as much as he can.
All-Star Superman is regarded as an important comic by DC fans because it showcases Superman at his strongest and most vulnerable simultaneously. Ultimately, Superman is simply a good and humble man striving to improve the world for those in it, which defines All-Star Superman and is faithfully adapted in the movie.
DC: 10 Best Superman Symbols, Ranked
From the classic symbol to Kingdom Come, the iconic House Of El symbol Superman wears on his chest has seen many variations, inspiring hope.