Main Actors Who Have Played Superman in Theatrical and Streaming Films
Multiple actors have officially portrayed Superman in live-action feature films released by major studios. The most prominent portrayals include Christopher Reeve in the 1978–1987 Superman films produced by Warner Bros., Brandon Routh in Superman Returns (2006) under Warner Bros., Henry Cavill in Man of Steel (2013), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Justice League (2017), and The Flash (2023) under Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Studios, and David Corenswet in the upcoming Superman (2025) produced by DC Studios and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
In addition to the main theatrical Superman, other actors have played the character in supporting or alternate continuity films. Nicolas Cage portrayed a version of Superman in The Flash (2023), and several actors have voiced or portrayed alternate versions in animated and direct-to-video projects tied to the DC Extended Universe and the broader DC Universe. The DCU reboot led by James Gunn and Peter Safran positions David Corenswet as the current primary live-action Superman in the new franchise.
Superman Film Appearances by Actor and Studio
Christopher Reeve
Christopher Reeve played Superman in Superman (1978), Superman II (1980), Superman III (1983), and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987), all produced by Warner Bros. and ITC Entertainment. These films established the mainstream live-action Superman template and remain the longest-running theatrical Superman portrayals.
Brandon Routh
Brandon Routh portrayed Superman in Superman Returns (2006), produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures. The film was positioned as a soft reboot and sequel to the Reeve films, and it earned a worldwide gross of approximately $391 million according to box office tracking sources.
Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill played Superman in Man of Steel (2013), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (201