Superman
Movie, 1978, Christopher Reeve, Set in Krypton & Metropolis
Superman is #3 of 11 in release order and #3 of 11 in chronological order in the Superman.
The story
Mild-mannered Clark Kent works as a reporter at the Daily Planet alongside his crush, Lois Lane. Clark must summon his superhero alter-ego when the nefarious Lex Luthor launches a plan to take over the world.
Superman recap
On the planet Krypton, the scientist Jor-El sentences the rebel General Zod to the Phantom Zone, then warns that the planet is about to explode. No one believes him, so he sends his baby son Kal-El to Earth in a small ship. The baby lands near Smallville, Kansas, and is raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent, who name him Clark. As a teenager, Clark hides his strength, and after Jonathan dies, a glowing crystal leads him north, where he builds the Fortress of Solitude and learns his history from recordings of his father. Years later, Clark joins the Daily Planet in Metropolis and falls for reporter Lois Lane. He saves her from a helicopter crash as Superman, and gives her an interview and a flight over the city. Lex Luthor plans to fire stolen nuclear missiles into the San Andreas fault to sink California and make his desert land valuable.
Superman ending explained
Lex traps Superman with kryptonite, but his assistant Eve frees him after he promises to stop the missile heading for her mother's town first. The second missile triggers an earthquake, and Superman saves much of California, but Lois dies when her car is buried. In grief, Superman flies around the Earth so fast he turns back time and saves her. He delivers Lex and Otis to prison.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Superman
Superman is streaming on YouTube TV and HBO Max in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.4/10, Rotten Tomatoes 87%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Adventures of Superman, before Superman II.
- Chronological order: after Adventures of Superman, before Superman II.
What to watch before Superman
Nothing. Superman (1978) doesn't continue an earlier version, so it stands on its own.
Cast
- Christopher Reeve as Superman / Clark Kent
- Margot Kidder as Lois Lane
- Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor
- Marlon Brando as Jor-El
- Ned Beatty as Otis
- Jackie Cooper as Perry White
- Glenn Ford as Pa Kent
- Trevor Howard as 1st Elder
- Jack O'Halloran as Non
- Valerie Perrine as Eve Teschmacher
- Maria Schell as Vond-Ah
- Terence Stamp as General Zod
Directed by Richard Donner.