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Summary
As one of DC ’s flagship characters , Supermanhas had a wide sort of animated films , some of which submit the Man of Steel better than others . Superman ’s unrecorded - activity films may be well known , but his animated filmography present some report that can contend with the best of the hero ’s traditional cinema menu , if not surpass it . While Superman might not be able to concur a candle toBatman ’s 29 liven film , having only 13 projects to his name , he has just as vainglorious of a gulf in quality from his best movies to his uncollectible ones .
DC has always outdone Marvel in the enliven film department , with franchises like the DCAMU and the Tomorrowverse producing some astral content . Indeed , many of Superman ’s moving-picture show fall into the reach of these animate continuities , with Superman featuring to a great extent as a focal character inanimated Justice League movies . Otherwise , Superman has a healthy number of one - off animated taradiddle that replicate the pages of some of the theatrical role ’s most far-famed laughable storylines , to varying degrees of succeeder .
Superman has had 8 live - action appearance throughout the DCEU , but some motion picture have execute importantly better than others at the box office .
13Superman: Doomsday Fumbled The Death Of Superman
Released In 2007
Cast
Long before the DCEU clumsily tacked on the infamousDeath of Supermanstoryline into its already in use squad - up movie , Batman v Superman : Dawn of Justice , an animated film brought the plot line to film for the first time . have the fearsome Doomsday , the original comic cue the world of Superman ’s importance by kill him , a daring move that re - invigorated public interest in the character . Unfortunately , the first animation to tackle the same story get some central elements wrong .
He epic weight unit of Superman and Doomsday ’s fight was utterly lose in the translation to the screen .
Beyond an awkward - looking graphics style , the moving picture wander consultation outlook by killing Superman off so betimes in the moving picture , bequeath Lois Lane and an overly - underscore grandness on Lex Luthor ’s cybernetic replacement to fill the nullity . The heroic system of weights of Superman and Doomsday ’s battle was perfectly lose in the translation to the screen door , entrust fans eager to see the iconic story represent in other medium for the first clock time bitterly disappointed . While the moving picture is able to confuse a handful of decent action scenes the audience ’s room , it misses the gull in undertake an adaptation of such an important Superman account .
12Superman: Brainiac Attacks Failed To Eclipse The Animated Series
Released In 2006
Despite more than a few surface - level similarities to the DCAU , including a similar art style and the returning outspoken talents of Tim Daly as Superman himself , Superman : Brainiac Attacksis entirely remove from the glorify toon continuity . At just 77 minutes long , the film is basically an extra - longepisode ofSuperman : The Animated Seriesanyway , though fails to catch the character ’s charm quite as well . The plot rotate around the appearance of Superman ’s hyper - levelheaded foreign nemesis , Brainiac , eclipsing Lex Luthor as a threat .
Beyond the airfoil - level terror of Brainiac , the film follows Clark ’s hesitancy to reveal his true identity to Lois , stake the emotional crux on the film on a well - worn undercover personal identity crisis . Though a passing travail with clear fondness behind it , the ultimate experience ofSuperman : Brainiac Attacksis somewhat empty , offer nothing other Superman metier had n’t done easily at the time , let alone well-nigh 20 years later . Despite snappy life cell , excellent vocal performances and a passing story , Superman : Brainiac Attacksis a painfully forgettable experience .
11Superman/Shazam: Return Of Black Adam Is Muddled By Superman’s Presence
Released In 2010
Superman / Shazam ! : The Return of Black Adam is a little animated film where young Billy Batson translate into Captain Marvel to confront the nefarious Black Adam . team up up with Superman , they present threats against humanity while exploring themes of justice versus revenge , as Batson assumes his office as Earth ’s guardian .
One of many DC Showcases that endeavor to team Superman up with other prominent DC characters , Superman / Shazam : Return of Black Adamsees Superman stepping into the ring with the charming side of DC ’s mythology . take on Black Adam alongside the adolescent hero Billy Batson long before the DCEU prove their hand at both construct , the 2010 motion picture is laudable for the spotlight it sheds on what was then a lesser - known DC hero . However , the lack of self-confidence DC had in the success of a solo Shazam / Black Adam film is distressingly obvious due to Superman ’s shoehorned - in inclusion .
Despite his voice player getting top billing , Superman / Shazam : restitution of Black Adamis very much not a Superman cinema , with the Man of Steel being more of a supporting character . Instead , the outcome of the film function more as an origin story of Billy Batson ’s Captain Marvel , back when he was still admit to be refer to as such , and Black Adam . While a great Shazam picture show , Superman ’s awkwardly wedge - in mien appears at the detriment to both his own reference and a fib that very clearly did n’t need to have him in it .
proceed the events ofSuperman / Batman : Public Enemies , Superman / Batman : Apocalypsefurther rise the kinship of DC ’s two most famous wedge with a healthy dose of Darkseid . pepper Supergirl , Wonder Woman and Big Barda alongside the swelled two , the film is more of a crossing consequence than a standalone Superman film , as the heroic cosmic stakes of Darkseid ’s threat are reiterated . Kevin Conroy as Batmanis once again a welcome pairing with Tim Daly ’s Superman , making the film worth watching for their outspoken chemistry alone .
As outstanding a job as the flick does at limn Superman and Batman ’s buddy bull human relationship , it for sure has its failings . The plot of ground is improbably busy , mash in entirely too many moving parts in a single renovate picture show . While this might be a conceit of the mirthful story the film is conform , it does n’t make for a graceful animate translation . The fight scenes are excellent , but cringeworthy moments like Supergirl ’s makeover collage apply the moving-picture show back . For all ofSuperman / Batman : Apocalypse ’s ambition , 12 - hour Green Arrow animated short packaged with the film do to outdo it .
9Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Is A Fun Buddy Underdog Story
Released In 2009
debut the premature yr , Superman / Batman : Public Enemiesis the superior photographic film in the brief duology contain it and Superman / Batman : Apocalypse . With narrower stakes and a tighter focus , the film describes Lex Luthor ’s advantageous political maneuvering in the viewing of an economic depression and a reality - ending meteor , as well as the debut of his own cell of government - backed superheroes . It ’s up to Superman and Batman , the only two grinder not to fall for Luthor ’s wiles , to barricade the meteoroid and save Superman ’s public perceptual experience .
Pressure - forging Superman and Batman ’s bond by having them as the only two heroes outside the system secret to Luthor ’s true goal is an incredibly smart ploy that allows the span to meet off one another in a fantastic direction . Granted , their fantastic bond is muddled by an avalanche of cameos by other DC characters , eager to reap the rewards of diehard fans ' name acknowledgment . The living also is n’t as strong as other Superman projects , even if it does transmit a clever floor that feature the best of Superman and Batman playing off of one another ’s strengths and personality .
8All-Star Superman Adapts One Of The Most Impactful Superman Stories
Released In 2011
Just like the comedian , the story revolve around Superman ’s fate following a deadly dosage of solar radiation that drastically ameliorate his powers at the cost of act like a terminal disease .
key out after the same Supermancomic that inspired James Gunn ’s upcomingSuperman , All - champion Supermanis when the Man of Steel ’s animated films start to become truly smashing . Just like the comic , the story revolve around Superman ’s fate following a lethal dosage of solar radiation that drastically improves his business leader at the monetary value of act as like a terminal disease . This compelling premiss is n’t needfully the easiest or most bombastic DC narrative to adapt , but as the last task of the big writer Dwayne McDuffie , know forBen Ten : Alien ForceandStatic electrical shock , All - Star Supermanwas in great hands .
Beyond successfully adapting a intoxicating and philosophical Superman story that a less cartoonist could easily fumble , All - Star Supermanboasts some breathtaking art good manners of Warner Bros. Animation . Admittedly , the plot suffers from the same comic - accurate overload of ideas asSuperman / Batman : Apocalypse , and some key changes to Superman ’s choice put his characterization in the motion-picture show in risk . However , seeingAll - Star Supermanput earnestly into movement is special enough to be worth kudos .
Custom Image by Yeider Chacon
7Batman And Superman: Battle Of The Super Sons Is Surprisingly Well-Done
Released In 2022
Despite the mouthful of a title , Batman and Superman : struggle of the Super Sonsmanages to prove that DC animation has n’t lose their step in late years . Focusing on the next generation of Superman and Batman ’s bequest , Jonathan Kent and Damian Wayne , the film is a dual - pronged coming of age story detail two boy ' struggle to live up to their fathers ' grand legacy against the backcloth of the alien threat of Starro . In truth , Jon and Damian are the stars of the show , with both Superman and Batman taking a backseat to their son ' struggle .
The pairing of the naive Jon and the overstrung Damian slowly gaining regard for one another is a moral force that work , and the films ' vision of Starro is well-nigh more menacing than James Gunn ’s depiction of the creature inThe Suicide Squad . The CGI aliveness divided audiences on a affair of preference , and the tone of the plastic film can be passably inconsistent , but neither element is too distracting to interrupt the efficacy of the pith dyad ’s arcs . Delivering on both excited and action fronts , Batman and Superman : Battle of the Super Sonsis better than it may seem at first coup d’oeil .
6Reign Of The Supermen Explores The Importance Of Clark Kent
Released In 2019
Releasing shortly after companion filmThe Death of Superman , Reign of the Supermanexplores a variety of copycat heroes set about to fill the vacuum of Superman ’s absence seizure follow his destruction at the script of Doomsday . nominee include the cloned Kryptonian Superboy , the self - made wedge Steel , the duplicitous cyborg Superman , and the mystical Eradicator . All the would - be Supermen vie for supremacy as the humans , peculiarly Lois Lane , grapples with the loss of the real deal .
Each of the various Supermen are able to have their own moments to gleam , with understandably - defined motive and personality , even if Superboy ’s father - son moral force with Lex Luthor slip the show . The failing of each shape evidence how Clark Kent is the necessary beating heart of the Superman persona , dedicated to justice even when depowered , as the film is well-chosen to show off . Somehow , Reign of the Supermenis still overshadowed by its older film , and skin to equilibrize a bell - beater Darkseid visual aspect towards the end .
5The Death Of Superman Did Doomsday Better
Released In 2018
While both the first animated film to undertake Superman ’s death andthe DCEU ’s black Doomsday appearancefell short of the promise of the iconic storyline , The Death of Supermandid far more justness to the comic of the same name . This time around , Doomsday feels like a truly Earth - judder menace , closely bolt down Wonder Woman with his first appearance . The factual battle with Superman and the beast actually is break far more room to breathe , as well , rather than being crammed into the first act .
Yet the relationship between Superman and Lois Lane is given just as much exercising weight as the monstrous Doomsday , the film not afraid to center the emotional fallout on Lois ' complicated relationship with Clark Kent . In this interpretation of consequence , the Kyrptonian ’s death actually feel like a tremendous absence seizure open up up in the world . have him go out attempting to hold open his worst foeman , Lex Luthor , only further prove the film ’s understanding of Superman ’s character .
4Superman: Red Son Provides A Fascinating Alternate History
Released In 2020
By the advanced age , the novelty of an evil Superman has more than worn off , with shows likeInvincibleandThe Boysthriving on the idea . However , Superman : Red Sonmaintains machination with the idea of a Superman that is n’t of necessity evil , but have got values differing from the traditional American ideals broil into most interlingual rendition of the Man of Steel . loony toons : Red Sonexplores a world in which Superman ’s vessel crash in the Soviet Union rather than Kansas , utterly re - determine macrocosm consequence due to Superman ’s young Russian identity .
if nothing else , the film ’s striking animation and clever melodic theme of worldbuilding keep things interesting , with Superman ’s office enlarge far beyond the bounds of Soviet control . The question of nature vs fosterage makes for a fascinating exploration of the Kents ' true influence on Clark , and the moving-picture show ’s often brutal tone helps sell the bleak world of a Soviet Superman . As great as it is , the movie ’s legacy is somewhat sully by a crisp Russian receipt , which largely objected to the film ’s portraiture of the cultivation .
