Every Live Action Superman Series Ranked

Where Will Superman & Lois end up?

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a live action Superman TV Show.

As we near the beginning of The CW's Superman and Lois, it is time to look back on all that came before. Not only is this show going to be a part of the ever expanding Arrowverse, but a part of the Superman legacy, and a series of both animated and live action shows that strech all the way back to when things really were just as simple as black and white.

The CW / Via youtube.com

These are the live action Superman shows whose ranks Superman and Lois will be joining.

5. Superboy (1988 - 1992)

Syndication

The series premiered October 8th 1988 and ended on May 17th 1992. The story follows the college years of Clark Kent, a journalism student by day and superhero at night, who still manages to find time for Lana Lang.

Starring John Haymes Newton as Clark Kent / Superboy, Stacy Haiduk as Lana Lang, Jim Calvert as T.J. White, Scott James Wells as Lex Luthor, Stuart Whitman and Salome Jens as Jonathan and Martha Kent.

4. Supergirl (2015 -

The CW

Although technically not a Superman show, Supergirl is a part of the Superman franchise since the show marks the first time the Man of Steel appears in the Arrowverse. In 2016, Tyler Hoechlin (Teen Wolf) made his first appearance as Superman in the second season of the CW series Supergirl officially joining a long line of Superman actors that includes Christopher Reeves, Henry Cavill, Brandon Routh and many more.

3. Adventures of Superman (1952 - 1958)

Warner Brothers

Adventures of Superman was the first television series to feature Superman. The series premiered September 19th 1952 in black and white and ended April 28th 1958. The story followed Superman as he battles crooks, gangsters, and other villains in the fictional city of Metropolis while masquerading "off duty" as Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent. Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, Clark's colleagues often find themselves in dangerous situations that only Superman can resolve. This was one of the most comically accurate Superman series.

The show stars George Reeves as Clark Kent / Superman, Jack Larson as Jimmy Olsen, John Hamilton as Perry White and Phyllis Coates and Noel Neill as Lois Lane.

2. Smallville (2001 - 2011)

©warner Bros / ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

The series premiered on October 16th 2001 and ended May 13th 2011. This iteration of Superman depicted Clark Kent in his teenage years before he donned the cape. The show follows his many different adventures as he struggles to find his place in the world while learning to harness his alien powers for good and dealing with the typical troubles of teenage life in Smallville, Kansas, and then, Metropolis. This action series blends realism, adventure and emotion. Despite it's many differences from the comics, the show gained a massive fan base for its modern retelling of the Superman mythology,

Tom Welling stars as Clark Kent, Kristin Kreuk as Lana Lang, Erica Durance as Lois Lane, Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor, Justin Hartley as Green Arrow and Aaron Ashmore as Jimmy Olsen.

1. Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993 - 1997)

George Spigot, ABC

The series premiered on September 12th 1993 and ended June 14th 1997. This sleek, sexy, 1990s take on the story of Superman in Metropolis and follows the complicated relationship of Lois an Clark. In addition to fighting evil, Superman has a burning romance with Lois Lane in both of his identities. The series focused mainly on the Clark's life as a journalist at the Daily Planet while also being the cities savior Superman on the side, as well as struggling with keeping all of this a secret from Lois Lane. The series was nominated for 5 Emmy's. Dean Cain stars as Clark Kent / Superman alongside Teri Hatcher who stars as Lois Lane.

Superman & Lois (2021 -

The CW

This version of Superman will be a little different, the world's most famous super hero and most famous journalist have faced it all together, now comes their newest adventure. Being parents of teenagers. The show will follow Lois and Clark as they deal with all the stress, pressures, and complexities that come with being working parents in today's society. Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch will bring Clark and Lois to life in this iteration of Superman for a whole new series unlike any other we've seen before.

Man of Steel and Smallville vibes, its safe to say we are in for something special with Superman and Lois. Now the only question that remains is, where will Superman and Lois end up in the ranks of Superman Live Action Shows?

Superman & Lois premieres on The CW on February 23, 2021.