Few roles in cinema and television come with the weight of expectation quite like Superman. Both an alien god and the ultimate symbol of human decency, the Man of Steel is a deceptively complex character to portray. The role has historically demanded that each actor connect with audiences by portraying the humanity and vulnerability of a superbeing growing up on Earth, as well as convincingly embody a symbol of pure kindness and hope.
Over the decades, many actors have stepped into the iconic role, each donning the cape and boots while leaving their own unique mark. Now, with Superman (2025) soaring in cinemas, star David Corenswet aims to reintroduce the character with renewed purpose, promising a version that reconnects audiences with the heart, optimism, and wonder that define the Last Son of Krypton. But will this new take soar like the best, or stir debate like some before it?
This ranking considers performance quality, the interpretation of both Superman and Clark Kent, and how well each actor captured the heart of a timeless symbol.
8. Dean Cain (1993-97)
Dean Cain’s portrayal is often viewed as the least of the Superman portrayals. He led four seasons of the otherwise well-received show, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. The series, which currently holds an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, was praised for its focus on the romantic and interpersonal dynamics between Lois Lane (Teri Hatcher) and Clark Kent, rather than traditional superhero spectacle.
However, this came at the cost of shelving Cain’s Superman and potentially epic superhero spectacle for the ongoing will-they-won’t-they romance. This was due to Lois & Clark arriving during a period when Hollywood was still hesitant to fully embrace superhero stories. As a result, the show leaned heavily on established television genres, like romantic comedy and workplace drama, to broaden appeal. Such was the case for fellow superhero shows like The Incredible Hulk (1978–1982), which functioned more like a fugitive drama with the odd touch of sci-fi, or The Flash (1990), which borrowed heavily from police soap operas to ground its narrative.
Cain was also the first major Superman portrayal following Christopher Reeve, which was no easy feat. However, fans often glance over his time in the trunks and cape, given the lack of skyline heroics from his iteration.
7. Brandon Routh (2006 & 2019)
Brandon Routh stepped into an impossible task: succeeding Christopher Reeve in Superman Returns (2006), a spiritual sequel to the original films. Routh channelled the Reeve archetype as best he could. His Clark Kent was endearing, wide-eyed, and awkward in a way that felt refreshingly sincere. As Superman, however, his performance was more uneven. Routh’s higher-pitched voice and hesitant delivery lacked the natural authority and gravitas expected from the Last Son of Krypton. He seemed like someone acting the part of a superhero rather than embodying it.
While his sincerity was never in doubt, critics found the film itself lacking in energy and innovation. Yet years later, Routh’s return on Crisis on Infinite Earths (2019) on The CW’s Arrowverse crossover earned widespread praise. This finally allowed him to showcase a more assured, commanding version of the character that many wished he had played all along.
6. George Reeves (1952-58)
In the 1950s, George Reeves became the first widely recognised live-action Superman in Adventures of Superman. Before CGI-induced spectacle and superheroes were brooding antiheroes, George Reeves gave audiences a Superman who smiled.
With his square jaw, steady voice, and kindly demeanour, he played Superman less like a demigod and more like an everyday dependable paternal figure that was firm, fair, and unfailingly good. His performance was perfectly in tune with the postwar appetite for moral clarity, and critics of the time praised his unshakable presence and quiet authority.
Viewed through today’s lens, Reeves’ Superman can seem one-dimensional, a relic of a more innocent pop culture landscape. But his influence is undeniable. He helped define what a live-action superhero could be, visible proof that comic book characters could leap from page to screen and win over mainstream audiences. Though later portrayals would bring more complexity and emotional nuance, Reeves laid the groundwork. George Reeves very much walked so that Christopher Reeve could run… or more so hover so that Reeve could soar.
5. Henry Cavill (2013-21)
The Superman of the last attempt at a DC Cinematic Universe (2013–2023) remains one of the character’s most divisive incarnations. Introduced in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel (2013), Henry Cavill’s Superman was a brooding, burdened figure who grappled with alienation, moral uncertainty, and the weight of godlike power.
This was not the sunny beacon of hope from earlier decades, but a conflicted outsider reluctant to step into the role of saviour. Cavill’s imposing build and stoic intensity gave the character a mythic presence, but divided critics on whether his Superman ever truly connected on an emotional level. His Clark Kent, meanwhile, felt more like an extension of the cape than a distinct identity, with little of the clumsy charm or human nuance that once defined the alter ego.
While Cavill was praised for his dedication and striking screen presence, some felt his version lacked the warmth and relatability that make Superman feel inspirational. Still, he amassed a loyal fanbase that fervently campaigned for his return. In hindsight, many now view his performance with greater appreciation, recognising the emotional weight he brought to the role, even if the vision around him was never fully realised.
4. Tom Welling (2001-11)
Tom Welling’s decade-long run on Smallville understood the essence of Superman without the actor ever even donning the cape, giving viewers an intimate, lengthy exploration of Clark Kent. Welling made the conscious choice never to play Superman in the traditional sense; his Clark Kent was a reluctant hero, someone deeply affected by his emotions, insecurities, and responsibilities.
Welling’s strength lay in his naturalism. He portrayed Clark’s cosmic responsibilities with grounded humanity. Initially met with scepticism for adopting a “No Tights, No Flights” method, Smallville swiftly amassed considerable acclaim, with Welling’s performance at the centre. His portrayal helped reframe Superman as a character defined by growth and moral conflict rather than perfection.
3. Tyler Hoechlin (2019-24)
Hoechlin’s portrayal is perhaps the most unsung, but he has, nevertheless, quietly earned his place among the greats through his steady, heartfelt work in Superman & Lois. Rather than focusing on Superman’s origins like Welling or his godlike powers like Cavill, Hoechlin’s version emphasises his humanity, largely through the theme of family. He plays Clark as a devoted father and husband who is as interested in raising his sons right as he is in saving the planet.
His Superman doesn’t overwhelm with sheer might, but rather connects through empathy. Critics have praised his grounded performance, with TVLine calling him “the most emotionally accessible Superman in years.” Hoechlin may not have had the cinematic spotlight, but his balanced, nuanced portrayal has resonated with a loyal audience and earned the respect of longtime fans.
2. David Corenswet (2025-present)
Barely a month into his tenure as Superman, David Corenswet has already left a striking impression. Stepping into the cape after the collapse of the previous DC Universe was no small feat, especially for a relatively unknown actor like Corenswet, but he has risen to the occasion with beguiling charm and intensity.
General reactions to his performance have been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising it as a return to a more traditional, morally upright hero in a modern world. In partnership with writer-director James Gunn, Corenswet embraces a brighter, more hopeful take, echoing the earnest idealism of the character’s Golden Age roots that is a sharp departure from Cavill’s brooding, conflicted version. His version radiates a sincere, almost old-fashioned sense of decency, making him not just likeable, but deeply inspiring.
The film’s message, “Kindness is the New Punk Rock,” serves as a bold counterpoint to the gritty deconstruction of superheroes that has dominated recent cinema. In a world saturated with anti-heroes and moral ambiguity, Corenswet’s Superman stands out as something radical: a genuinely good man, unafraid to risk everything for the sake of others. And in doing so, he reminds us why Superman still matters.
1. Christopher Reeve (1978-87)
Christopher Reeve’s portrayal remains the benchmark against which all others are measured. When Superman: The Movie premiered in 1978, it did more than launch a blockbuster franchise; it redefined what a superhero performance could be. Reeve accomplished the extraordinary by making Clark Kent and Superman feel like two completely separate people; not through makeup or costume changes, but through subtle shifts in posture, voice, and presence. In one unforgettable scene, as he transitions between both personas during an interview with Margot Kidder’s Lois Lane, the transformation is so seamless and powerful that it feels almost magical.
As Clark, Reeve was awkward and endearingly shy, yet never a caricature. As Superman, he exuded calm authority, moral clarity, and a deeply human warmth. Critics immediately recognised the strength of his performance, with The New York Times praising the “touching sincerity” he brought to the role. In the years since, Reeve’s interpretation has only grown more admired. His quintessence of Superman’s idealism and quiet strength continues to resonate in a genre now saturated with darker, more conflicted heroes.
Reeve didn’t just wear the cape; he gave it soul, and something a little out of this world…
Words by Joseph Jenkinson
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