It’s been said before that Superman is a love story, and throughout the Man of Steel’s many iterations, this rings true. A Clark Kent usually has his Lois Lane, who inspires and/or challenges him. The newest Superman film stars David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan as the iconic couple, joining a legacy that stretches all the way back to 1948.

Lois is a beloved character in her own right, as an ambitious journalist with an atтιтude that challenges Clark’s farm boy upbringing. Her basic character traits have persisted throughout the years, with each actress who played her bringing something different to the table but not always in a way that is accurate to the comics.

As such, here are all nine live-action versions of Lois Lane ranked by comic accuracy:

9

Kate Bosworth

First Appeared In Superman Returns (2006)

After a nearly 20-year absence from the big screen, Superman Returns brought the Man of Steel back. Alongside Brandon Routh’s Superman, Kate Bosworth took on the role of Lois. The biggest issue here is that Bosworth’s Lois was meant to be the same iteration as Margot Kidder’s but older. Meanwhile, the actress was only 23 years old.

Coupling this with her storyline as a mother to Superman’s son, this casting choice is confusing at best. Moreover, Routh was also only in his 20s, yet her other love interest, James Marsden, was 10 years her senior. All of these factors play into Lois looking and acting visibly younger.

Aside from Bosworth’s casting, this Lois was relegated to more of a damsel in distress role, with her primary function in the film as an unattainable love interest for Clark and a mother. Her performance is nothing to write home about and does little to recall the fiery Lois, but not all of that is Bosworth’s fault.

8

Noel Neill

First Appeared In Superman (1948)

The very first live-action Lois Lane, Noel Neill, was a softer take on the journalist. She was gentler than the later characterization that was popularized by Phyllis Coates and Margot Kidder. Nonetheless, she was a dedicated journalist with a strong inclination to pursue justice.

A big standout moment for Neill’s Lois was when the character wrote an editorial to encourage high voter turnout. Her take on Lois was particularly popular, especially with young female fans.

Interestingly, she played Lois in the 1948 film serial Superman and its sequel, Atom Man Vs. Superman, before later taking over the role in Adventures of Superman from its second season onwards after Coates declined to return. Her legacy was honored through cameos in both Superman: The Movie in 1978 and Superman Returns in 2006.

7

Phyllis Coates

First Appeared In Superman and the Mole Men (1951)

Before Neill took over as George Reeves’ Lois Lane, Coates filled the role in Superman and the Mole Men and Adventures of Superman’s first season. She was more of a go-getter than Neill’s version, often attempting to outdo Clark in reporting big news stories. Coates’ Lois is more similar to how she is portrayed in modern versions.

Her reckless nature did often land her in trouble, leading Superman to swoop in and save the day, but this actually lends itself to a more accurate depiction relative to the comics. Sadly, Coates ultimately chose not to renew her contract in order to pursue other projects and avoid typecasting.

Coates went into semi-retirement for a while to raise her children. However, she did eventually return to Superman media. In 1994, she starred as Lois’ mother in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.

6

Amy Adams

First Appeared In Man of Steel (2013)

Amy Adams is an extremely talented actress. However, her version of Lois in the DC Extended Universe ultimately didn’t strike a chord in the same way as prior portrayals. She debuted in Man of Steel as a journalist investigating a Kryptonian ship who gets caught up in the conflict between Superman and General Zod.

Decidedly less feisty, Adams retains the character’s ambition and drive to put herself in harm’s way to get a story. Unfortunately, as the DCEU progressed, Lois became decreasingly relevant aside from being a love interest. She is brave, but this comes across less as grit and determination than dedication to Superman.

While this is somewhat accurate to the comics, modern Lois is typically more involved as a result of her own career instead of solely to aid Clark. Even with some of the worst elements of her characterization, Adams is a solid performer who puts in the work every time, and that sets her apart.

5

Bitsie Tulloch

First Appeared In Supergirl (2015)

First appearing in Supergirl then becoming a co-lead in Superman & Lois, Bitsie Tulloch has a unique niche among Lois actresses. She is the only live-action version of the character to significantly explore the character once she is married to Clark and has teenage children.

Additionally, Superman & Lois takes the interesting direction of moving her career from the Daily Planet to the Smallville Gazette. Her journalism remains a driving force of the show’s conflict, though a lot of her storylines instead revolve around motherhood and the struggles of married life.

Tulloch’s Lois lacks the edge of some versions, but she is a believable evolution of an older Lois. Even so, her personality is more muted compared to the spirited Lois of the comics, leaving something to be desired in terms of her wit and fiery nature.

4

Teri Hatcher

First Appeared In Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman (1993)

Another unique portrayal of Lois, Teri Hatcher is the first iteration to lean very far into the romantic comedy aspect of the Superman story. Despite the tonal differences between Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and many other adaptations of the character, she navigates both the comedic and emotional beats.

Hatcher’s Lois is abrasive, cocky, and determined. She has a self-important air about her that stems from her drive to get the story no matter the cost, making her a strong foil for Dean Cain’s more kind Clark. She later grows an infatuation with Superman that transfers to Clark once she learns of his secret idenтιтy.

Hatcher is a very accurate Lois, right down to maintaining the old-school love triangle between Lois, Superman, and Clark. However, her portrayal is comparatively modern and romance-focused in an attempt to make the character more appealing to a 1990s audience.

3

Erica Durance

First Appeared In Smallville (2001)

When discussing the best actresses to play Lois, Smallville’s Erica Durance is a popular choice to take the top spot, and for good reason. She’s strong-willed, ambitious, and willing to dive headfirst into trouble. Her chemistry with Tom Welling’s Clark is electric as they go from an antagonistic relationship to an actual partnership.

Durance’s Lois is an interesting case because she starts off drastically different from her comic version. Because Lois shows up in season four of Smallville, Clark is still in the thick of his relationship with Lana Lang. Lois is then romantically paired off with various other characters, such as Oliver Queen/Green Arrow and Arthur Curry/Aquaman.

Lois did not become a journalist until the latter half of her tenure on Smallville because the role of resident reporter was filled by her cousin Chloe Sullivan. Once she began transitioning into a reporter and falling in love with both Clark and the Blur, Durance became a comic-accurate Lois, but the series took her in quite a few different directions first.

Durance’s portrayal is great, and she captures Lois’ spitfire energy. However, those early deviations separate her significantly from the typical Lois that other actresses capture.

2

Rachel Brosnahan

First Appeared In Superman (2025)

Brosnahan is the latest actress to tackle playing the intrepid reporter, and she managed to hold her own amongst a roster of talented performers. As opposed to most Lois depictions on this list, Brosnahan’s Lois knows that Clark is Superman. However, they are still early in their relationship, and she is unsure if she can make it work with the hero.

This take on Lois delves more into her psychology and struggle to connect with people, which feeds into her dry, sarcastic demeanor. Despite her commitment issues, Lois isn’t afraid to dive headfirst into trouble to help Clark and later to expose Lex. As a result, she interacts with the other DC heroes in a manner similar to how modern DC Comics include her.

The standout moment for Brosnahan is when she interviews Clark in his Superman persona, and it devolves into an argument as she asks him hard-hitting questions that call out his naive yet well-intentioned worldview. Her cynicism and commitment to truth over relationships are classic Lois. With time, Brosnahan has the potential to become the definite Lois as the DCU progresses.

1

Margot Kidder

First Appeared In Superman: The Movie (1978)

If any Lois gives the impression of a comic come to life, it’s Kidder’s. She first played the sᴀssy reporter in 1978’s Superman: The Movie before reprising the role in its three sequels. This Lois is brash, rude, and completely focused on work to the extent that she doesn’t give Clark the time of day.

Despite her commitment to journalism, she is knocked off of her axis after being saved by Superman. She then has an iconic interview scene with Reeve’s Man of Steel that both builds their relationship and sets up the rest of the film. Without these moments, so many of the other Lois portrayals either would not exist or would look totally different.

Factoring out legacy, Kidder’s Lois is perhaps the most intense when it comes to proving herself right about Clark. She trusts her journalistic instincts enough to jump into a river and fire a blank at Clark in Superman II just to confirm he and the hero are the same man.

This bold, fast-talking Lois who completely loses herself in her crush on Superman is exactly the character from comics of that era. As such, Kidder remains the Lois who comes the closest to recreating the source material, in addition to influencing the future development of the character.