Due to the character's strength and ideologies, Clark Kent, aka Superman, is one of DC Comic's iconic superheroes. The year 1978 saw his debut on the big screen with Superman: The Movie. Although it had flaws that became more apparent over time, audiences still considered it an ideal adaptation.

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However, subsequent movie adaptations never reached that same level. While not all of them were considered poor quality, like Superman (1978), they possessed significant flaws that kept them from being considered the perfect version. Although every big screen incarnation of the character had potential, there were always factors hindering them.

10 Superman Turning Back Time Raises Several Questions

Superman Turns Back Time in the climax of Superman (1978)

In the climax of Superman (1978), Superman (Christopher Reeve) is tasked with stopping two missiles headed in opposite directions. He can't prevent both, which results in a disaster that causes the death of his love interest, Lois Lane (Margot Kidder).

Heartbroken, Superman decides to travel back in time to prevent Lois' demise and the rest of the damage caused by the missile that killed her. Superman had never previously used this power, and his reasoning for not doing so and the logic behind the time travel never received a concrete explanation.

9 Replacing Donner With Lester Was A Step Backwards

Directors Richard Donner and Richard Lester of Superman (1978) and Superman II

While filming Superman (1978), director Richard Donner filmed Superman II back-to-back. This decision worried the producers, who thought it'd be for naught if the former was a flop. Fortunately, Superman (1978) became a success, but tensions between Donner and producers rose too high.

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Thus, Donner was fired and replaced with director Richard Lester for Superman II. Lester re-shot much of Donner's work and sadly inserted a lot of comedic antics that didn't fit the movie. This only worsened in Superman III. Some actors also left the production in support of Donner. While Donner released his cut, both versions were incomplete halves of what could have been a great sequel.

8 Superman II Made Up Superman's Powers On The Spot

Superman wipes Lois' memories at the end of Superman II

Superman (1978) more or less defined the titular character's powers, and most were ripped straight out of the comics. However, Superman II gave the character some odd abilities, such as the ability to attack foes using his suit's logo.

Another example of the film's strange Superman powers was his ability to wipe Lois' memories with a kiss, which he used in the end. Nothing in either this movie or its predecessor implies he has these powers, and like the time travel at the end of the first film, there are no rules regarding it. Fans have even joked about Superman using this power on villains.

7 Gus Gorman Didn't Make An Engaging Lead In Superman III

Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman

Superman III put more focus on comedy than on compelling adventure. To this end, the film introduced Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman in a leading role alongside Reeve as Superman, all while discarding many of the characters and plot lines from the previous Superman movies.

At this point, Pryor was well-known for being incredibly funny in his stand-up acts and other movies. Unfortunately, his comedic chops failed to shine and make an endearing character in Superman III, and sadly his character takes up most of the movie's runtime. Luckily, Reeve's consistent efforts in portraying Superman balanced it out and prevented the film from being a complete failure.

6 The Special Effects Of Superman IV Came Up Short

Superman IV: Recycled Shot of Superman flying

While the special effects of Superman (1978) don't always hold up, they were acceptable for the period. Although VX often improves with time, the quality dipped with Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, which ended up being well below the franchise's standards.

Throughout the movie, audiences can easily see people hanging from invisible wires (a far cry from the ones used in the first film), visible black curtains when the characters are in outer space, and shoddy blue screen effects. These aspects meant the film's special effects were nominated for a Razzie in 1987.

5 Superman IV Had Too Many Plot Lines

Superman IV Speech at the United Nations

Although Superman IV's effects weren't anything to write home about, like any movie, a well-founded story could make up for any shortcomings. Unfortunately, the film's narrative was as muddled as its effects.

From the impending war, a schoolboy writing to Superman to do something, Superman's decision to rid the world of nuclear weapons (which the world's nations incredulously unanimously agree to), Lex Luthor's (Gene Hackman) scheme, and the Daily Planet undergoing a takeover, Superman IV had an array of storylines with little buildup. They went nowhere due to several scenes remaining on the cutting room floor. Although Reeve, Kidder, and Hackman gave solid performances, they couldn't compensate for the writing.

4 Superman Returns Failed To Offer A New Take On The Character

Brandon Routh as Superman and Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane in Superman Returns

Viewers received Superman Returns 19 years after Superman IV seemingly ended Reeve's incarnation. Despite having a different cast, the story treated them as the same characters from Superman (1978) and Superman II while ignoring the events of Superman III and IV.

Although the new actors were well cast (for the most part), the narrative mostly recycled beats viewers were already familiar with from previous films. While they weren't poor ideas for Superman to explore, the film's premise posed engaging opportunities for covering new ground; however, most of the matters were treated as afterthoughts. As a result, it was a small movie for a significant superhero.

3 Superman Returns Put A Smudge On Superman's Likability

Clark Kent and his son Jason in Superman Returns

The premise for Superman Returns is that Superman (Brandon Routh) left Earth for five years after learning of possible life on his home planet, Krypton. Upon finding nothing, he returned to Earth where life had moved on without him.

Superman's decision in this film goes against his vow to never let the people down again at the end of Superman II. Moreover, he fathered a child with his love interest, Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth), who he abandoned for years, despite the movie trying to establish a loving relationship between the two. There's a lot of depth regarding these matters that Superman Returns didn't examine.

2 Man Of Steel Did Wrong By Jonathan Kent

Jonathan Kent Dies in Man Of Steel

Superman may have superhuman abilities, but he's human at heart due to the wholesome values his adoptive parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent instilled in him. Whenever Superman feels blue, they're always around to help their son however they can, even if they don't understand everything about him.

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Man of Steel goes against a significant part of Jonathan Kent's (Kevin Costner) character. He encourages Clark to keep his powers a secret at all costs. He later meets his demise in a tornado due to not wanting Clark to save him, despite Clark's willingness and ability to do so.

1 Man Of Steel's Destruction Went Off The Charts

Man Of Steel Destruction After the Climax

Man of Steel's climax has Superman (Henry Cavill) fighting General Zod (Michael Shannon) throughout Metropolis. In the process, the two heavily ravage the city.

Due to Zod's refusal to stop killing Earth's people, Superman is eventually left with no choice but to kill him. While the decision didn't feel too out of line, one couldn't say the same for the aftermath. Most people accept Superman as a hero despite the surrounding damage, and although Superman cares little for the havoc, it was only in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice that the matter finally received attention – a whole three years later.

NEXT: 8 Things About Superman: The Movie That Make No Sense