Review of Superman Movies
🗂️ Superman Across Media: Movies, TV Shows, and Comics
Audio CLip
Cosmos Movies TV Programs 2024 List
Review of Superman Movies
Review of Superman Movies
🗂️ Superman Across Media: Movies, TV Shows, and Comics
Audio CLip
Cosmos Movies TV Programs 2024 List
I’ve been a big Superman fan since childhood. I’ve seen all the Superman movies and TV shows, and read the comics as a kid. I’m looking forward to seeing the latest Superman film today, and I’ll update this with my reflections afterward. But first, I wanted to share my thoughts on the latest right-wing freak-out: the horror of Superman being portrayed as “woke,” and—brace yourself—an illegal immigrant!
Critics are melting down over a fictional alien from another planet who, by definition, would’ve entered Earth illegally. After all, there were no U.S. embassies on Krypton to process his visa—and even if there had been, what immigrant category could possibly fit? There’s no superhero visa (although there is a supermodel category—thanks, Melania Trump). The closest might be the “extraordinary ability” visa, which, to be fair, Superman would certainly qualify for.
📽️ Live-Action Films (Selected Highlights):
Bold indicates I have seen it
- Superman (1978) – Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman
- Superman II (1980) – Reeve, Kidder, Terence Stamp
- Superman III (1983), Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
- Superman Returns (2006) – Brandon Routh, Kevin Spacey
- Man of Steel (2013) – Henry Cavill, Amy Adams
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Justice League (2017)
- Superman (2025) – David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult
📺 TV Shows:
- Adventures of Superman (1952–1958) – George Reeves
- Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993–1997) – Dean Cain
- Smallville (2001–2011) – Tom Welling
- Supergirl (2015–2021) – Melissa Benoist
- Superman & Lois (2021–2024) – Tyler Hoechlin
- My Adventures with Superman (2023–present) – Jack Quaid (voice)
📚 Comics:
- First appearance: Action Comics #1 (1938) by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
- Notable arcs: All-Star Superman, Superman: Red Son, Superman: Birthright, The Death of Superman, Superman: Year One
🗣️ Iconic Quotes from Superman Lore
- “It’s not an S. On my world, it means hope.” – Man of Steel
- “I’m here to fight for truth and justice.” – Superman (1978)
- “You will give the people an ideal to strive towards.” – Jor-El, Man of Steel
- “They can be a great people, Kal-El. They only lack the light to show the way.” – Jor-El, Superman (1978)
- “I feel like I live in a world made of cardboard…” – Justice League Unlimited
More quotes and analysis:
- https://www.thenarratologist.com/best-superman-movie-quotes/
- https://collider.com/superman-movies-quotes-ranked/
- https://lingopie.com/blog/superman-2025-20-iconic-quotes-that-still-hit-hard/
📚 Literary Reputation
Superman is widely regarded as the archetype of the American superhero—an immigrant, a moral compass, and a symbol of hope. Created by Jewish immigrants during the rise of fascism in Europe, his story has always carried political undertones. Scholars and critics have long interpreted Superman as a metaphor for assimilation, resistance, and idealism.
🔥 2025 Controversy: “Superwoke” Superman?
The latest Superman film directed by James Gunn has sparked backlash from right-wing commentators who accuse it of being “too woke.” Key points of contention:
- Gunn described Superman as “an immigrant,” which critics like Fox News and Ben Shapiro interpreted as political messaging.
- The film features Superman intervening in a fictional war between Boravia and Jarhanpur, which some viewers saw as a metaphor for Israel and Gaza.
- Fox News labeled the film “Superwoke,” with Kellyanne Conway saying audiences don’t want to be “lectured.”
- Gunn and cast members defended the film’s themes of kindness, morality, and inclusion.
Coverage and Analysis:
- https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/superman-movie-james-gunn-slammed-as-woke-rcna217653
- https://www.wgbh.org/culture/2025-07-18/despite-massive-success-new-superman-movie-derided-as-super-woke-by-right-wing-pundits
- https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/superman-woke-true-origins-10130194/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2025/07/08/supermans-an-immigrant-director-james-gunn-faces-right-wing-backlash-for-claim/
- https://collider.com/superman-2025-woke-criticism-expert-response/
I’ve been a big Superman fan since childhood. I’ve seen all the Superman movies and TV shows, and read the comics as a kid. I’m looking forward to seeing the latest Superman film today, and I’ll update this with my reflections afterward. But first, I wanted to share my thoughts on the latest right-wing freak-out: the horror of Superman being portrayed as “woke,” and—brace yourself—an illegal immigrant!
Critics are melting down over a fictional alien from another planet who, by definition, would’ve entered Earth illegally. After all, there were no U.S. embassies on Krypton to process his visa—and even if there had been, what immigrant category could possibly fit? There’s no superhero visa (although there is a supermodel category—thanks, Melania Trump). The closest might be the “extraordinary ability” visa, which, to be fair, Superman would certainly qualify for.
📽️ Live-Action Films (Selected Highlights):
Bold indicates I have seen it
- Superman (1978) – Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman
- Superman II (1980) – Reeve, Kidder, Terence Stamp
- Superman III (1983), Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
- Superman Returns (2006) – Brandon Routh, Kevin Spacey
- Man of Steel (2013) – Henry Cavill, Amy Adams
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Justice League (2017)
- Superman (2025) – David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult
📺 TV Shows:
- Adventures of Superman (1952–1958) – George Reeves
- Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993–1997) – Dean Cain
- Smallville (2001–2011) – Tom Welling
- Supergirl (2015–2021) – Melissa Benoist
- Superman & Lois (2021–2024) – Tyler Hoechlin
- My Adventures with Superman (2023–present) – Jack Quaid (voice)
📚 Comics:
- First appearance: Action Comics #1 (1938) by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
- Notable arcs: All-Star Superman, Superman: Red Son, Superman: Birthright, The Death of Superman, Superman: Year One
🗣️ Iconic Quotes from Superman Lore
- “It’s not an S. On my world, it means hope.” – Man of Steel
- “I’m here to fight for truth and justice.” – Superman (1978)
- “You will give the people an ideal to strive towards.” – Jor-El, Man of Steel
- “They can be a great people, Kal-El. They only lack the light to show the way.” – Jor-El, Superman (1978)
- “I feel like I live in a world made of cardboard…” – Justice League Unlimited
More quotes and analysis:
- https://www.thenarratologist.com/best-superman-movie-quotes/
- https://collider.com/superman-movies-quotes-ranked/
- https://lingopie.com/blog/superman-2025-20-iconic-quotes-that-still-hit-hard/
📚 Literary Reputation
Superman is widely regarded as the archetype of the American superhero—an immigrant, a moral compass, and a symbol of hope. Created by Jewish immigrants during the rise of fascism in Europe, his story has always carried political undertones. Scholars and critics have long interpreted Superman as a metaphor for assimilation, resistance, and idealism.
🔥 2025 Controversy: “Superwoke” Superman?
The latest Superman film directed by James Gunn has sparked backlash from right-wing commentators who accuse it of being “too woke.” Key points of contention:
- Gunn described Superman as “an immigrant,” which critics like Fox News and Ben Shapiro interpreted as political messaging.
- The film features Superman intervening in a fictional war between Boravia and Jarhanpur, which some viewers saw as a metaphor for Israel and Gaza.
- Fox News labeled the film “Superwoke,” with Kellyanne Conway saying audiences don’t want to be “lectured.”
- Gunn and cast members defended the film’s themes of kindness, morality, and inclusion.
Coverage and Analysis:
- https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/superman-movie-james-gunn-slammed-as-woke-rcna217653
- https://www.wgbh.org/culture/2025-07-18/despite-massive-success-new-superman-movie-derided-as-super-woke-by-right-wing-pundits
- https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/superman-woke-true-origins-10130194/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2025/07/08/supermans-an-immigrant-director-james-gunn-faces-right-wing-backlash-for-claim/
- https://collider.com/superman-2025-woke-criticism-expert-response/