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Every Superman TV show ever, ranked from worst to best

We've seen plenty of live-action and animated Superman TV shows, but which one is the most super of them all?

By Michael Patterson

Superman & Lois -- “Complications” -- Image Number: SML311a_0060r -- Pictured: Tyler Hoechlin as Superman -- Photo: Katie Yu/The CW -- © 2023 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Superman & Lois -- “Complications” -- Image Number: SML311a_0060r -- Pictured: Tyler Hoechlin as Superman -- Photo: Katie Yu/The CW -- © 2023 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved. /
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3. Superman: The Animated Series

The DC Animated Universe produced countless legendary shows and movies throughout the '90s and 2000s; Superman: The Animated Series was one of them. Coming just after the critically-acclaimed, Emmy-winning Batman: The Animated Series was no easy feat, but it pulled it off, flying onto TV screens in 1996 (and eventually encouraging a revival of Batman, too).

With the Batman creative team behind it, it should come as no surprise to learn that Superman: The Animated Series was an amazing show. Not only did it retell Kal-El's origin story for a modern, younger audience, it managed to do it in a mature, nuanced way; which made it clear that adults could enjoy this show. It wasn't a cartoon like the classic Superman shorts of the '40s, it was a complex series that just so happened to be animated.

The show was also renowned for highlighting the ongoing rivalry between the Man of Steel and Lex Luthor. It was a layered adaptation that showcased the complexities of it, Lex's obsession, and Superman's convictions. To this day, it's still regarded as one of the greatest portrayals of it.

Superman: The Animated Series still lives in the shadow of Batman, but that shouldn't take away from its own accomplishments. It was a compelling reinvention of the Man of Steel's journey, and Tim Daly, Dana Delany, and Clancy Brown all did remarkable jobs voicing Clark, Lois, and Lex respectively, and they all etched their names into the history books as some of the best to ever bring these characters to life.

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