Christopher Reeve’s Superman came out nearly two decades before I was born, but for me, and I’m sure many others, it still holds a special place as one of the most important superhero films of all time. Long before the DCU attempted to bring the Man of Steel back to the skies, the 1978 Superman movie set the gold standard.

Before this movie, there were several serial stories that were shown in theaters, and a handful of films trying to to capture the magic of comic books, but Superman was the first real success, and in my opinion, the start of great superhero movies in cinema.

From the incredible cinematography, the spectacular special effects, and the way the film captures the essence of the character, Superman proved that comic book movies could be a powerful and meaningful part of the cinematic landscape.

Superman Has Had A Lot Of Successful Movies Over The Years

Superman Has Been Adapted Plenty Of Times

Superman is arguably one of the oldest superheroes ever created. He first appeared in comics back in 1938, and since then, the character has become a global icon that is universally celebrated. And his story has been adapted and translated many times.

From an early radio show that introduced some of the most prolific Superman characters, like Perry White, the editor of the Daily Planet, and Jimmy Olsen, Superman’s best friend, to cinematic serials, Superman became a staple of pop culture.

And when cinema evolved, Superman evolved right alongside it. Since 1978, there have been plenty of Superman movies, with multiple sequels to Reeve’s original, Superman Returns, and the DCEU’s iconic opening film, Man of Steel.

All of these movies have enjoyed varying levels of success, but looking back, the 1978 movie set the bar, and it has yet to be overtaken.

I Don’t Think Any Other Superman Movie Has Matched The Classic Superman Comics As Well As The 1978 Film

Christopher Reeve Is Still The Gold Standard For Superman

The thing is, with such a long and elaborate history as Superman has, it’s hard to capture the character correctly. But 1978’s Superman did just that. Not only was Reeve the perfect man for the part, but the movie leaned into the goofiness and over-the-top story from the comics.

It was emotional, and it featured the tragic end of Krypton, but it also saw Lex Luthor being a somewhat comedic character. And Superman displayed a variety of powers that went beyond the usual heat vision, super strength, flight, and freeze breath. All of this is important to a character like Superman, who means so many things to so many people.

While other movies have attempted to put a new twist on the character, or explore a darker tone, the magic of Superman remains with that original 1978 film. And this can be seen strongly in the way that that first movie put so much attention to making the impossible possible.

Christopher Reeve’s Superman Is The Blueprint Of How To Get The DC Hero Right On-Screen

Superman Has A Lot Of Layers As A Character

One of the biggest challenges that Superman faced in 1978 was making it appear that a man could fly. Before a lot of special effects were being applied in films, and moviemakers relied heavily on practical tricks, director Richard Donner understood how important seeing the hero fly would be for the movie.

This focus on making one impossible element feel real, and capturing the magic of the hero gave the audience something to cling on to. And that’s why the tagline for the movie became “You’ll believe a man can fly.” The movie was more than a fun comic book story; it was a symbol of hope which perfectly encapsulated the feelings of the comic.

The movie, just like the comics, was able to evoke childlike wonder in the audience. Christopher Reeve also had this stunning ability to transform before the audience’s eyes, with his demeanor and voice changing any time he removed the Clark Kent glᴀsses.

But just because the 1978 Superman managed to get so much right, doesn’t mean this magic can’t be rekindled by the upcoming DCU release, which also appears to be on the same track with their tagline “Look Up!” James Gunn’s Superman could be the best chance to repeat that success since the original movie came out.

I Love The Other Superman Movies, But For Different Reasons To The 1978 Film Classic

Superman Movies Highlight Different Sides To The Character

Of course, none of this is to say that the other Superman movies have not been worthwhile. It takes a lot to bring this hero to life on the big screen, and I have immense respect for any actor who has tackled the part. To play essentially two characters in one, and to become an icon, it takes a lot of work.

However, the reasons why I connect with these other Superman movies appear to be vastly different to the original starring Christopher Reeve. In Brandon Routh’s Superman Returns, I loved the way they create a legacy and legend around the character. And Routh feels like a perfect casting choice in my opinion, though the film was not the best.

In the DCEU, Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel took a closer look at a very different side to the character, one that put more of a focus on his differences from humanity. Clark and his adoptive parents were anxious about revealing his true idenтιтy, and slow to trust that the world would accept him despite his status as an alien on their planet.

I genuinely think this is one of the most emotional and inspirational versions of the character, with a compelling series of events and action that is out of this world. I also don’t mind the darker tone, though admittedly it makes it feel like a story about a very different character to the Superman I know and love from comics.

Later on, when Superman shows up in movies like Black Adam, you can see more of the boyish charm and arrogance that I believe embodies the character from comics, and I wish I saw more of Henry Cavill’s interpretation of the character in this light. However, it seems like the new Superman is leaning more in this direction.

It’s been a long road to seeing Superman become a fully realized character on the big screen, but the fact that so much was done right in 1978 is a testament to that stunning production.

Superman sometimes gets overcomplicated, but the truth is, he’s a simple character. Going back to basics and capturing the charm of the 1978 Superman is the key to pulling off the perfect Superman story, and I hope it’s not the last time the character is so perfectly portrayed.