Superman III

If the world's most powerful computer can control even Superman...no one on earth is safe.

RELEASED 17 Jun 19832h 5m★ 5.5 TMDB

Aiming to defeat the Man of Steel, wealthy executive Ross Webster hires bumbling but brilliant Gus Gorman to develop synthetic kryptonite, which yields some unexpected psychological effects. Between rekindling romance with his high school sweetheart and saving himself, Superman must contend with a powerful supercomputer.

Why it matters in DC

Synthetic kryptonite creates a threat to Superman's behaviour as well as his physical safety. That change gives this sequel a distinct place in the classic run, asking what happens when the figure normally trusted to protect others becomes divided against himself.

Watch these first

2 titles to watch before Superman III — 4h 31m in total.

SupermanStory prerequisite2h 24m★ 7.2
Superman IIStory prerequisite2h 7m★ 6.8+1 before this

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How these titles are selected

Story prerequisites are curated. Likely prerequisites are inferred from sequel numbering or explicit synopsis references. Recommendations are earlier stories in the same continuity; background picks are separate adaptations. Series lists cover whole shows, not an episode-by-episode watch order.

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Where it fits in the DC universe

Superman III is title 3 of 6 in our Classic Superman viewing sequence. Superman III follows the first two films in the original classic sequel run, with Superman IV coming afterwards. It is not necessary background for Superman Returns, which takes a different route from the early films. Keep that branch distinction in mind when using the wider classic Superman collection as a watch order.

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