Every era of ‘Superman’: from Christopher Reeve’s charm to David Corenswet’s rise

There was a lot of grumbling when Tyler Hoechlin stepped into Big Blue’s red boots, but he has proven himself more than worthy of the cape. In a show that focuses on Clark and Lois’s family life—they are married with two teen boys—audiences see a different side of Superman. Hoechlin’s Superman still shoots lasers from his eyes and is faster than a locomotive, but he is more grounded, a family man living on a farm in Smallville.

The series—and Hoechlin’s performance—remains criminally underrated. In its final season and particularly the finale, audiences witness something rarely seen in a live-action Superman: the Man of Steel in his twilight years. Handled with grace and heart, his farewell feels worthy of both the character and his enduring legacy.

Henry Cavill—his dark curls, square jaw, impressive physique and piercing blue eyes making him look straight out of a Kryptonian lab—has won over Superman fans worldwide with his genuine love for the character and its lore.

Cavill’s Superman debuted in the wake of The Dark Knight trilogy, which reshaped the superhero genre with its darker, more brooding take on heroes. Filtered through the lens of the times and Zack Snyder’s vision, his Superman is darker and grittier than any of his predecessors. Cavill played the role with gravitas but also imbued his Superman with a lot of heart and warmth, especially in scenes as Clark Kent. A pivot in tone in later films saw him play the character in a lighter and more hopeful vein, showcasing what could have been had he been given the chance to explore other aspects of the character.

Largely seen as a legacy sequel to Superman and Superman II, the film paid homage to the originals, borrowing visual cues, the iconic soundtrack and even footage of Marlon Brando’s Jor-el. While some appreciated the reverence to the past, some argued that the film was too beholden to Richard Donner’s movies, that it failed to stand—or soar—on its own.

Brandon Routh, a relative newcomer, was tapped to fill Christopher Reeve’s red boots, and he brings the same quirky, mild-mannered charm as Clark Kent and noble dignity as Superman. Routh’s caped hero, although not dark or broody, was a touch too melancholic and, like the film, was weighed down by nostalgia. Later, Routh would join the CW’s Arrowverse as Ray Palmer, also known as the Atom, and would reprise his role as Superman during the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover event.

Smallville explored Clark Kent’s life long before he became Superman, with the show’s creators famously sticking to a “no tights, no flight” approach throughout its ten-season run. Kids who watched the series in the noughties were not so much raised by Smallville as grew up alongside it.

Audiences were introduced to a hunky, baby-faced Clark Kent along with characters from his childhood, including his first love, Lana Lang. Lex Luthor was also part of the show, retconned for the series as Clark’s childhood friend and eventual rival. As Clark, Tom Welling was a certified CW heartthrob playing an awkward, kind-hearted farm boy grappling with his secret powers. Charming and likeable, he would become the Clark Kent of a generation, and the show’s success would pave the way for more DC superhero shows on the CW, including Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.

More workplace romcom than straightforward superhero tale, Lois & Clark primarily explored the relationship between Lois Lane and Clark Kent. Here, Clark is the main identity and Superman is the alter ego, with the superheroics taking a backseat to the romance.

Dean Cain plays Clark Kent as charming, suave and confident—an even match for Teri Hatcher’s Lois Lane. Their chemistry, fuelled by flirty interactions, witty banter and will-they-won’t-they dynamics, was the greatest strength of the show and what kept fans coming back for more.

The granddaddy of cinematic superheroes, Christopher Reeve lived up to the film’s promise: “You’ll believe a man can fly”. Richard Donner’s Superman and Reeve’s performance still influence the superhero films you see today.

The tone of Donner’s Superman is bright, optimistic and hopeful, and the film attempts to truthfully convey what Superman symbolised: hope, truth and justice. Superman’s heroics ran the spectrum, from saving a kitten stuck up a tree to thwarting Lex Luthor’s dastardly plans.

And Reeve, a Juilliard graduate, turned in a performance that forever sets the bar. The scene of how he transforms from the sweet and bumbling Clark Kent to the regal and commanding Superman and back again during his date night with Lois Lane is a testament to his iconic, inimitable portrayal. In a role that could easily lean camp and comedic, his warmth and charisma had audiences emotionally invested in a character wearing blue tights, red trunks and a cape. He not only makes you believe in the goodness of Superman, he inspires you to be heroic too.

In the ’50s, George Reeves’s small-screen Superman stood for “truth, justice and the American way”. Still years away from fighting off extraterrestrial threats, inner turmoil and—gasp—Lex Luthor, his Superman was very much a product of his time, taking on mobsters, criminals and spies. He imbued his Man of Steel with a steady, almost paternal authority. His Clark Kent was far from mild-mannered. He was a competent, hard-hitting reporter who discreetly used his powers when needed. The series, which ran for six seasons, was a massive hit, became a cultural phenomenon and made Superman a mainstream icon. 

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