Superman Returns

Look up in the sky!

RELEASED 28 Jun 20062h 34m★ 5.8 TMDB

Superman returns to discover his 5-year absence has allowed Lex Luthor to walk free, and that those he was closest to felt abandoned and have moved on. Luthor plots his ultimate revenge that could see millions killed and change the face of the planet forever, as well as ridding himself of the Man of Steel.

WATCH NOTE

An alternate continuation of Superman and Superman II, rather than a sequel to Superman IV.

Why it matters in DC

Superman's absence has altered his relationships before he returns to confront Lex Luthor. That makes belonging and responsibility central to this continuation. For viewing order, its connection is to the first two classic Superman films, not a requirement to follow Superman IV.

Watch these first

2 titles to watch before Superman Returns — 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 Returns is title 6 of 6 in our Classic Superman viewing sequence. Superman Returns takes its useful background from the first two classic Superman films. Superman III and Superman IV are not prerequisites for this continuation. Its place in the catalogue is therefore a branch from the early sequence, not a fifth consecutive adventure incorporating every event from the preceding four releases.

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