The Ultimate Ranking of Live-Action Superman TV Shows: Which is the Greatest?

Summary

Superman has been adapted into multiple live-action TV shows, each approaching the character from a different angle and focusing on different aspects of his story.

Older TV shows such as Superboy and Adventures of Superman had limitations in terms of special effects and storytelling, yet they remain significant in the history of Superman's live-action adventures.

In contrast, the more recent shows like Krypton and Superman & Lois have surpassed boundaries by delving into fresh aspects of Superman's mythology and presenting action scenes that rival those seen on the big screen.

Superman has been featured in numerous live-action adaptations, spanning across television shows, video games, animated productions, and movies. Despite the recent return of the iconic character in Superman: Legacy within the new DC Universe, Clark Kent's heroic persona has already made appearances in various media forms.

Throughout its existence, Superman has played a significant role on television, appearing in multiple live-action series that have explored different aspects of the Last Son of Krypton's story. These shows have presented various perspectives, including an in-depth exploration of Superman's origin story or showcasing him as a married father. Additionally, some series have focused on supporting characters within Superman's mythology, with the hero himself taking a secondary role.

Now, let's take a closer look at the seven live-action Superman TV shows, ranked from best to worst.

7 Superboy (1988-1992)

The Superboy TV series is based on the early adventures of the Last Son of Krypton. Clark Kent, as a young hero, protects Smallville during his teenage years. Unlike other adaptations, Superboy features two actors, John Haymes Newton in season 1 and Gerrard Christopher for the remaining three seasons, portraying Clark. Although the show is energetic and ambitious, it is also outdated.

Newton and Christopher do a commendable job portraying Clark, but the show struggles to showcase the true power of its Kryptonian hero due to the limitations of its late '80s and early '90s TV budget. The green screen work in the flying scenes of young Kal-El is particularly noticeable and sometimes hinders the portrayal. Superboy also introduces some peculiar versions of Superman's enemies, such as Bizarro and Metallo. However, the series' unique quirkiness and the performances of Newton and Christopher make it worth revisiting for a complete understanding of Superman's live-action adventures.

6 Adventures of Superman (1952-1958)

George Reeves came to define the iconic superhero Superman in the popular 1950s TV series, Adventures of Superman. The show, which ran for six seasons until Reeves's untimely death in 1958, showcased his impressive portrayal of both the heroic Superman and the humble Clark Kent. However, due to technological limitations at the time, the show was unable to fully showcase the extent of Superman's powers, resulting in some shortcomings that are evident even today, decades after its conclusion.

Adventures of Superman heavily relied on scenes of bullets bouncing harmlessly off Superman's chest and his effortless defeat of low-level criminals. This perpetuated the misconception that Superman was a one-dimensional character who faced no real challenges. Although this aspect may be hard to ignore when revisiting the show, Reeves's enthusiastic performance and the positive role model he became for young viewers make Adventures of Superman an important piece of the character's history. Additionally, considering its 1950s origins, the flying scenes in Adventures of Superman, along with Reeves's energetic takeoff into the skies, have surprisingly stood the test of time.

5 Krypton (2018-2019)

The Syfy channel's Superman prequel series, Krypton, offers an enthralling exploration of Superman's home planet before its destruction. Focusing on Superman's grandfather, Seg-El, the show delves into his mission to restore honor to the House of El. Krypton draws inspiration from political feuds and scientific debates within Kryptonian society, reminiscent of Game of Thrones. And while it occasionally feels detached from the core Superman mythos, the presence of iconic villains like Doomsday, Lobo, Brainiac, and General Zod adds an exciting element. The visual effects and sets effectively bring the alien world of Krypton to life, although the show could delve deeper into the planet's pre-destruction narrative. Nonetheless, as a journey into the origins of the Man of Steel's home, Krypton is a captivating experience.

4 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-1997)

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman prioritizes the workplace romance between Clark Kent and Lois Lane. This unique approach to Superman's story resulted in a successful four-season run on ABC. The show's influence even extended to the comic book world, with the show's producers requesting DC Comics to delay the marriage of Lois and Clark, leading to The Death of Superman storyline.

Dean Cain's portrayal of Clark Kent is more convincing than his portrayal of Superman. The chemistry between Cain and Teri Hatcher is what truly brings the show to life. The emphasis on romance rather than action proves to be the show's strength. However, Lois & Clark still incorporates plenty of action scenes, although some of the characters may differ from their comic book counterparts.

Overall, Lois & Clark's romance-centric approach from the '90s remains one of the best live-action Superman TV shows.

3 Supergirl (2015-2021)

Following the first season of Supergirl, Superman's Kryptonian cousin Kara Zor-El made a transition from CBS to the Arrowverse, resulting in the show becoming one of the most popular modern superhero television adventures. Melissa Benoist's captivating portrayal of Kara and her chemistry with the Arrowverse's other heroes, particularly Grant Gustin's Barry Allen on The Flash, played a significant role in this success. The introduction of Tyler Hoechlin as Superman in Supergirl marked a notable debut, although it did not have the strongest start.

Despite being a secondary character in the Arrowverse, Hoechlin's Superman had comparatively fewer opportunities to shine as compared to other actors who have played the iconic role. Additionally, the presence of cape clips on his Supergirl suit proved to be an unnecessary distraction. Ultimately, Superman himself turned out to be the weakest aspect of Supergirl. However, the show as a whole excelled with its intense action scenes and Benoist's exceptional portrayal of Kara. Unfortunately, the conclusion of the Arrowverse left fans disappointed as the anticipated joining of Kara and Superman with the Justice League during Crisis On Infinite Earths remained unfulfilled.

2 Smallville (2001 - 2011)

Smallville started in 2001 with a strict rule - "No tights, no flights." This rule played a vital role in telling one of the most relatable Superman stories ever. Over its ten-year run, Smallville is a true coming-of-age tale, where Clark gradually discovers and develops his Kryptonian abilities. Despite its superhero action and sometimes lacking CGI, Smallville's strength lies in its depiction of Clark's relationships, particularly his romances with Lana Lang and Lois Lane, his partnership with Oliver Queen, and the eventual formation of the Justice League.

However, Smallville's core lies in Clark's ill-fated friendship with Lex Luthor, portrayed by Michael Rosenbaum. Rosenbaum gives a poignant and humanized portrayal of the character, making him arguably the most tragic rival ever seen in Superman's story. Technically, Smallville does have its shortcomings, such as its clumsy version of Doomsday and the lack of a full view of Tom Welling's Superman in the final scene. Nevertheless, Smallville and Welling himself perfectly capture the essence of Superman, making the show a timeless joy to revisit.

1 Superman & Lois (2021-)

Tyler Hoechlin's portrayal of Man of Steel takes center stage in his own series, Superman & Lois. Unlike the Arrowverse, this show reveals that it exists on a different Earth. Upon its debut in 2021, it quickly proved to be one of the most impressive surprises in the superhero TV genre. Superman & Lois follows Clark Kent (played by Hoechlin) and his wife Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch) as they relocate to Smallville, Clark's hometown, in order to raise their teenage sons. The show focuses on the challenges Clark faces as both a superhero and a father, exploring aspects of Superman's mythology never before seen in live-action TV shows.

These new elements include Clark's alliance with John Henry Irons (Wolé Parks) and a variety of formidable villains, ranging from the lesser-known Parasite (Rya Kihlstedt) to the more rugged version of Lex Luthor (Michael Cudlitz). Additionally, Superman & Lois delves into the story of Clark's son Jordan (Alex Garfin) as he discovers and develops his own superpowers, placing Superman in the unique role of a mentor. The show also pays heartfelt homage to various Superman adaptations, including Smallville, the Christopher Reeve Superman movies, and Zack Snyder's Man of Steel.

Not only does Superman & Lois deliver impressive, big-screen-worthy action sequences, but it also accomplishes everything one would expect from a Superman TV show with near perfection. As a result, it stands as the greatest live-action portrayal of Superman on television.