Superman: Every Henry Cavill DC movie ranked worst to best

What can we say about the DCEU that hasn't been said already? It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, and one of those best of times was the world being introduced to the man who will go down in history as one of the greatest Superman to ever appear in live-action. Cavill brought something fresh to the table and, with the help of Zack Snyder, his Superman gave us a modern, gritty take on the iconic hero that fans had been craving.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to truly experience all that the great Henry Cavill had to offer. We didn’t really get to see him flourish as Clark Kent, and while he had his fair share of movies (five in total), we never got the true Man of Steel sequel he deserved. Cavill was primed for a franchise—a set of films that would explore the Superman mythos in depth—but WB couldn't seem to get out of its own way.

With that said, let's dive into Cavill's Superman appearances, ranking each of the movies from worst to best.

5. Justice League (2017)

Ah, Justice League—the movie that tried to be everything and ended up being, well, not much of anything. The troubled production, the awkward tone shifts, and that infamous CGI mustache removal. Yeah, we can't forget that one. Cavill’s Superman felt... different, and not in a good way. From in jokes that didn’t land to the way in which it disregarded the serious tone of the prior DCEU movies, this film felt like the movie was trying way too hard to replicate the Marvel formula, but fell flat on its face.

Cavill did what he could with the material, but the tragic CGI work made Superman look more like a video game character than the Man of Steel. The movie was an all-around rough experience for fans who were excited to see the Justice League come together on the big screen.

Sadly, this film sits at the bottom of the list, as it failed to give Cavill’s Superman the gravitas he deserved.

4. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice had ambition—maybe a bit too much of it. The film tried to juggle the epic clash between Batman and Superman, the introduction of Wonder Woman, the emergence of Doomsday, and setting up the future of the DCEU all at once. With so much going on, it’s no wonder it felt overstuffed and disjointed.

Cavill’s Superman was solid, but he often got lost in the mix of everything happening around him. The movie focused more on spectacle than substance, and that’s where it faltered. Instead of honing in on the intense rivalry between Bruce and Clark or the looming threat of Doomsday, the film tried to do it all, and it didn’t quite stick the landing.

And then there was the infamous "Martha" scene - a moment meant to humanize both heroes but instead left fans fuming. The idea that Batman would suddenly ease up on Superman because their moms shared the same name felt forced and it undermined the tension that had been building between the two characters.

Despite its flaws, Cavill’s portrayal of a conflicted Superman trying to balance his god-like powers with his humanity was pretty amazing. If only the film around him had been more focused, we might have had a more satisfying experience.

3. Black Adam (2022)

Black Adam was a film that had its moments but didn’t quite hit the mark. Sure, The Rock hyped it up to be a game-changer for the DCEU, but in the end, it felt more like a missed opportunity. Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room—Shazam was essentially bypassed for Superman because The Great One wanted Black Adam to face the Man of Steel. It’s a bit laughable when you think about it. Shazam and Black Adam are natural rivals in the comics, but The Rock’s vision was clearly laser-focused on getting that epic showdown with Superman.

But let’s be honest, the real highlight was the post-credits scene that had fans screaming in theaters—Henry Cavill’s Superman making a surprise appearance. The moment was brief, but it was electrifying. After years of speculation and rumors about whether Cavill would ever don the cape again, seeing him return was a breath of fresh air.

While Black Adam didn’t break new ground in the superhero genre, Cavill’s cameo reminded everyone why his Superman was so beloved. It was a glimmer of hope in an otherwise average film, leaving fans yearning for more and wondering what could have been if WB had fully committed to giving Cavill the Superman franchise he truly deserved.

2. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

#ReleaseTheSnyderCut became more than just a hashtag—it was a battle cry that united fans in a collective push for justice, no pun intended. For years, whispers and rumors about Zack Snyder’s original vision for Justice League swirled around the internet, fuelling a fan-driven movement that refused to be silenced. When Warner Bros. finally caved and released Snyder's four-hour epic, it was a monumental win for the fandom and a momentous occasion in superhero cinema.

The Snyder Cut was everything the theatrical version wasn’t: coherent, compelling, and visually stunning. Gone were the awkward tonal shifts and questionable CGI (we’re looking at you, mustache). Instead, we got a Superman who felt fully realized—his resurrection was earned, and his return as the beacon of hope was exactly what the story needed. Cavill’s portrayal of Superman in this version was more fleshed out, allowing him to shine in moments of darkness.

But let’s not forget the epic twist that left fans buzzing—Martian Manhunter’s reveal. Whether you believe fans predicted it or Snyder was just super slick with his storytelling, it was a jaw-dropping moment that added another layer of depth to the film. Sure, some character choices—like the rumored storyline about Lois being pregnant with Bruce’s child—felt a little off, but overall, Snyder’s Justice League was a massive improvement over the original. It’s a testament to the power of fan dedication and the importance of a director’s vision. Cavill’s Superman was, without a doubt, one of the brightest highlights of this long-awaited cut.

1. Man of Steel (2013)

Man of Steel was Henry Cavill’s debut as Superman, and what a debut it was. The film took some risks, giving us a grittier, more grounded take on Superman’s origin story. It was polarizing for some, but for others, it was a fresh take that breathed new life into the character. Cavill’s portrayal of a Superman who’s still trying to find his place in the world was simply, amazing.

There was no shortage of action and emotional depth. What a lot of true fanatics loved was that Man of Steel was packed with Easter Eggs and foreshadowing that teased a larger Superman universe. Remember that mysterious open pod on the Kryptonian ship? Fans speculated that it was a nod to Kara Zor-El, a.k.a. Supergirl. The idea that Kara could be out there, lost in space, trying to make her way to Earth, set the stage for a potential space-opera journey that could have expanded the Superman mythos in a bold, new direction.

Imagine a storyline where Kara’s journey intersects with Kal-El’s, bringing a cosmic dimension to the DCEU. The possibilities were endless, from exploring Kryptonian heritage to diving into intergalactic conflicts. Unfortunately, we never got to see these storylines unfold, but Man of Steel remains a high point in Cavill’s career, leaving us wondering what could have been in a fully realized Superman saga.