Superman is one of the most iconic superheroes in the world. Over the decades, several films featuring the character have been released, each with a different financial outcome. In this article, we will rank all major Superman movies by their worldwide box office collection up to 2025 and look at how each film performed financially. This list makes it easy for both casual viewers and fans to see which Superman movies achieved the biggest success.
1. Man of Steel (2013)
Worldwide Box Office: $668 million
“Man of Steel” reintroduced Superman to modern audiences and became one of the franchise’s biggest hits. The film showed Clark Kent’s journey from his early struggles to becoming Earth’s hero. Strong action sequences and updated storytelling helped it achieve blockbuster status.
2. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Worldwide Box Office: $873 million
This movie attracted massive attention as it brought Superman and Batman together on the big screen for the first time. While opinions on the story were mixed, the film was a financial success and proved that superhero crossover films can generate global appeal.
3. Superman (2025)
Worldwide Box Office: $608 million
Directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet, this film marked a new beginning for the Superman franchise. Despite tough competition, it performed strongly at the box office, highlighting renewed audience interest and offering a promising future for the character.
4. Superman (1978)
Worldwide Box Office: $300 million
Starring Christopher Reeve, the 1978 “Superman” was groundbreaking for its time. It set the stage for modern superhero films and became a cultural milestone. Its strong earnings reflected the audience’s enthusiasm for seeing Superman on screen for the first time in a major Hollywood production.
5. Superman II (1980)
Worldwide Box Office: $190 million
The sequel continued the story with more action and higher stakes. Fans enjoyed seeing Superman face new challenges, and the movie’s earnings demonstrated that the character had strong staying power in cinema.
6. Superman Returns (2006)
Worldwide Box Office: $391 million
After a long gap, Superman returned in this film starring Brandon Routh. Although it received mixed reviews, the movie did well financially, proving that nostalgia for the character could still draw audiences to theaters.
7. Superman III (1983)
Worldwide Box Office: $80 million
This film took a lighter approach, mixing humor with superhero action. While it earned less than its predecessors, it still found an audience, particularly among fans who enjoyed its more playful tone.
8. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
Worldwide Box Office: $36 million
The fourth entry in the series struggled both critically and commercially. Despite its poor performance, the movie carried an important message about peace and responsibility, which remains memorable to some fans.
9. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Worldwide Box Office & Streaming: $185 million (plus digital revenue)
Although not a solo Superman film, this version of “Justice League” featured him in a key role. Released on streaming alongside limited theatrical runs, it gained popularity and financial recognition, showing continued audience interest in the DC Universe.
Conclusion
From the groundbreaking classic in 1978 to the latest reboot in 2025, Superman films have had a mixed but fascinating box office journey. Some titles became global blockbusters, while others struggled financially. Together, these movies reflect the lasting popularity of Superman and his importance in shaping the superhero movie genre.