‘Superman’ Actors Ranked: The 10 Best Performances as the DC Comics Superhero

Star in: “Superman: The Animated Series” (1996-2000), “Justice League” (2001-2004)

Though this list focuses on live-action productions, it’s worth giving an honorable mention to Daly and Newbern, whose iconic voice performances further defined the public’s concept of Superman. Remember: the first off-page adaptation of “Superman” was on a radio show. True, the actors didn’t take on the physical demands for the role — though anyone who has been locked in a recording booth repeating the same lines for hours will argue with that. It’s ironic that the medium of animation allows even more dimensions to a character, stripped of those physical expectations or the limits of special effects, and both actors were allowed to shine, playing a Superman who was both stoic leader and warm humanitarian.

Stars in: “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” (1993-1997)

The ABC series has been largely forgotten to time as newer iterations have appeared, but a huge part of its success while airing hinged on the casting of its two leads. Teri Hatcher would go on to further acclaim thanks to “Desperate Housewives,” and she shares crackling chemistry with Cain, a relative newcomer at the time, with guest spots on “A Different World” and “Beverly Hills 90210” to his credit. They were fresh new faces announcing a new kind of Superman where Lois Lane was every bit his equal. There was a Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy quality to their banter, and Cain made a charming leading man with just the right amount of gravitas and humor.

Stars in: “Superman Returns” (2006)

Though the film was such a financial disappointment that plans for a sequel were cancelled, no one ever blamed Routh. The actor jumped into the role gamely, believable as both a hero and an affable, aw-shucks Clark Kent. It’s not his fault he was stuck with a script about Lex Luthor trying to grow a new landmass in the Atlantic Ocean (or something like that.) It’s a shame he didn’t get another shot at the role on film, though he did get a second opportunity in 2019’s “Crisis on Infinite Earth” TV crossover event, which united various CW DC Universe shows, and proved he was always a worthy heir to the cape.

Stars in: “Smallville” (2001-2011)

Though he doesn’t actually wear the suit until the Season 10 finale, it’s about more than the costume. Thanks to Welling’s perfectly calibrated turn, we literally saw Clark Kent as he struggled from his teen years — which are rough enough for anyone, let alone an alien hiding his powers from the world — into the man who would become the icon. Welling beautifully captured the angst of youth and the pressure of his powers while also dropping hints as to what his future held. It was a delicate balancing act, and it says a lot that Christopher Reeve himself approved of his performance, appearing in two episodes of the series.

Stars in: “Adventures of Superman” (1952-1958)

Technically Reeves made his debut in 1951’s unofficial pilot “Superman and the Mole Men,” but it was on television that he cemented his place in our minds as the “original” superhero. To the modern eye, the show can be viewed as cheesy, with its visible strings and stilted dialogue, but what still shines is Reeves’ commitment to the role. He embodies strength and kindness in a simpler time, and Reeves took that seriously, even giving up cigarettes in real life so children wouldn’t see Superman smoking. There’s something charming about how analog the early Superman is — no padding or special effects — and it helps you appreciate the actor even more.

Stars in: “Superman & Lois” (2021-2024)

Maybe the most underrated Superman, Hoechlin came to the role as a utility player — first appearing in the series “Supergirl” before reprising the role in other CW shows, then graduating to his own series. It gave the actor, always a charming presence in shows like “7th Heaven” and “Teen Wolf” a chance to ease into the role with the audience coming to know and love him over the years. As a result, he was never introduced to us as either a perfect Boy Scout or a nerdy, bumbling reporter, but allowed the opportunity to become a fully-fledged (super)human being — reporter, hero, husband and even a father — in front of our eyes. And it made him a welcoming presence in homes for the last decade.

Stars in: “Man of Steel” (2013), “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016), “Justice League” (2017), “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” (2021)

Love or hate the Zack Snyder DC films, Cavill understood the assignment he was given, bringing a darker, more brooding Superman to the big screen. No film version had focused as much on the isolation and sacrifice of his destiny, even allowing his adopted father to perish rather than risk exposing his identity. Never had the pull of humanity weighed so heavy on the character, nor was he ever put through quite as much — literally dying in 2016’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” When he returned in 2017’s “Justice League,” it was without his memory and Superman never felt more like a genuine threat, wreaking destruction in his path until the moment he’s reunited with Lois Lane — a stunning moment that Cavill pulls off wordlessly.

Stars in: “Superman” (2025)

(SPOILER: This discusses the plot of “Superman,” now playing in theaters)

Corenswet came to the franchise with full knowledge of the source material, from the comics to the films — and it shows. Which is not to say that his star-making turn is slavish fan service but that he embodies all the best qualities of the character. He’s noble to a fault — how do you not love a guy who will put himself in mortal danger just to find a dog?  But while his Superman is still an idealist, he’s also a realist. When he fights a creature rampaging the city, he also wants to save it, while the metahumans in the Justice Gang just want to kill it. There’s a moment of regret and angst, but he moves on, knowing when to pick his battles. He’s both invincible and vulnerable — you have no trouble buying him defeating an entire army with ease, but also believe he would be agitated by mean internet comments calling him names. And he’s funny — Corenswet has expert comic timing and balances the high stakes with a smart humor, particularly in his scenes as Clark. Here, Clark is allowed to be savvy and sexy instead of just a bumbling fool, while also differentiating the character completely from Superman.

Stars in: “Superman” (1978), “Superman II” (1989), “Superman III” (1983), “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” (1987)

I’ll say it again: sometimes the obvious answer is also the correct one. Reeve made such a lasting impression that he’s become the gold standard, synonymous with the character itself. His first film was marketed with the tag line “You will believe a man can fly” and it’s easy to forget about the level of difficulty the actor had to pull off — at that point there hadn’t been a big-budget, splashy color adaptation of the character (or really any iconic superhero) on the big screen. It could have been comical (in the bad way), but instead Reeve brought the comic to life. He pulled off the suit and the flying but, more importantly, the essence of humanity that has always been the character’s real superpower. And he was an excellent Clark Kent — just bumbling enough to mask his secret, but also competent enough to go head-to-head with Lois Lane at the Daily Planet. But it’s not just about appearances. Kudos to original director Richard Donner and the producers for choosing a deeply committed actor, having trained at Juilliard and appeared on Broadway. The powers that be treated the comic like serious art — rightfully so, as superheroes are modern-day mythology. There’s a reason that for people of so many generations, Reeve will always be their Superman.