The James Gunn takeover is finally turning into reality, as Superman is all set to be back in a new fight. The teaser trailer has created quite a buzz and left behind a trail of excitement from fans. From his humble beginnings in the 1978 classic to his most recent portrayals, Superman has flown through a wide range of stories, styles, and performances. With his unyielding sense of justice, incredible strength, and ability to fly, he stands as a beacon of hope for fans worldwide.

As this fan-favorite superhero suits up for another fight, it is the perfect time to look at the highs lows, and all the movies that cemented Superman as a hero you all know and love. 

Superman: The Movie is a statement to the fact that nothing beats the original. The release of this film pushed it to the ranks among all other superhero films, creating a benchmark all while honoring the legacy of the original comic book. Christopher Reeve's acting as both the heroic Superman and his alter ego, the clumsy reporter Clark Kent, left a lasting impression on audiences, pushing him into the spotlight. Margot Kidder's Lois Lane added wit and charm, while Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor exuded a playful menace that made his performance unforgettable.

This movie, the one that started it all, still stands strong in its top place in the franchise. Fans still talk about its storylines, strong performances, and stunning special effects, making it one of those timeless classics in the superhero genre. 

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Superman II sat pretty well with the fans, despite its struggles behind the production lines, with Richard Donner starting as director but Richard Lester completing the production of the project. This little mix-up behind the screens did lead to a mix of tones in the story as well, but it was not given much of a thought by the audience who were quite taken by the film, making way for future projects. 

Superman II, the direct sequel to the famous Superman: The Movie, remains a loved chapter in Superman's cinematic journey, offering a combination of action, romance, and humor that makes it a pleasing view. Also, with Christopher Reeves offering his bang-on performance, this film left quite the mark!

It was with Man of Steel that Henry Cavill entered the Superman scene, and he did so with a bang, serving a visually stunning and action-packed watch. It was the film's breathtaking action sequences, particularly the intense battles between Superman and General Zod, that had fans hooked. 

Man of Steel came as quite a commercial success, making it a successful film for the film-makers as well. But here is the catch with this film. It also sparked debates about its darker tone and its different angle from the traditional Superman portrayals.

Superman III came as quite a shift from the past movies. Here, Superman was all set to take on this powerful supercomputer created by an eccentric, tech-savvy genius. What got people talking about this film was the mix of action with humor that ran throughout the film. Thanks to the introduction of Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman, whose comedic energy gave the movie a very playful tone, with his moments of slapstick and lighthearted banter. This film has had some mixed thoughts from fans, while some enjoyed this lighter take on the Superman saga, others felt the humor clouded the action sequences of the Superman saga that fans had come to expect.

When it comes to Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, the film seems to have fallen off the wagon, because of significant reductions in the budget. The budget's impact was reflected in the special effects and visuals of the movie, making it rank lower on the scale of the Superman movies. With Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, it was not only the visuals but also the narrative which felt quite disconnected. 

In this season, Christopher Reeve returned to his role loyally, taking on the mission to eliminate nuclear missions from the face of Earth to bring peace. Despite these efforts, the film struggled to match up with its predecessors, resulting in a chapter that many fans considered a low point in the Superman saga. 

With Superman Returns, director Bryan Singer was looking for that perfect blend of nostalgia brought back with a fresh narrative. This time around it was Brandon Routh who wore the iconic cape, with a mission to bring his place back in the world after a long absence of five years. 

The film's nostalgic take does sound good, but it took its fair share of hits. Its pacing and too much spotlight on emotional depth over action left some fans missing the high-flying heroics they had come to expect from Superman movies. All in all, Superman’s cinematic journey is something that is not to be missed. From thrilling battles to heartfelt moments, every movie has added something special to Superman's legacy, and seems that it will continue to do so as to heat amps up for James Gunn's Superman which is set to hit theaters in 2025.

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Which Superman movie ranks the highest in your heart? Do you agree with our picks, or does your favorite deserve a higher spot?