Comparing the Original Superman Film Series to the Original Batman Film Series

[The Overlord]

Which film series do you think was better, the original Superman film series (1978 to 1987) or the original Batman film series (1989 to 1997)?

 

[B]

Batman series for me, albeit barely.

Both Superman & Batman had 4 movies in each series, but both only had arguably 2 good movies in each. Superman had I/II & Batman had Batman & Batman Returns.

Superman III/IV & Batman Forever/Batman & Robin were the rotten apples of each series, the only reason Batman would take it is Batman Forever, while it's undoubtedly a bad movie, I didn't think it was as bad as Superman III. Both Batman & Robin & Superman IV were terribad.

 

[Rorschach2012]

Batman Forever is one of my all time favorite superhero movies, flaws and all. And Batman & Robin also has a number of redeeming qualities IMO, though I'm a minority in this.

Superman III and IV would be unwatchable without Reeve. Horrible writing and weak visuals.

Superman The Movie vs Batman
Winner: Batman
This is so tough, but I'm gonna go with Batman because of STM's time traveling and Hackman's campy Lex. Keaton and Nicholson absolutely killed it as Batman and Joker, and the visual style of Gotham is so perfect, it's the comics come to life.
Superman II vs Batman Returns
Winner: Batman Returns for me.
Burton was on fire for this one. DeVito and Pfeiffer turned in a couple of iconic performances that I don't think can be topped. General Zod was also very iconic, but I just think Batman Returns has the tighter, more engaging story.
Superman III vs Batman Forever
Winner: Batman Forever
I absolutely love Carrey's Riddler, and it's awesome seeing Robin's origin onscreen. Kilmer made a solid Batman as well. Superman III is only good because of the Smallville stuff and Reeve. They should've stuck with their original outline for this movie which featured Supergirl and Brainiac.
Superman IV vs Batman & Robin
Winner: Batman & Robin
I've never been able to finish IV, but B&R is a fun, campy movie despite being the worst in the series.

 

[Jochimus]

Eeesh...this is a pretty tough call.

I have to say Batman, but only by the slimmest of margins. Reeve is pretty much the main redeeming factor of the later Superman films, giving at least a consistent performance throughout and looking like he just stepped out of the comics (as opposed to having three different Batmen in the course of four films whose performances go to completely opposite ends of the spectrum and wearing Batsuits that range from honestly presenting themselves as the body armor they're supposed to be to looking like Frederic Wertham would have a field day with them), but the Batman movies at least made an effort to utilize the character's mythology and Rogues Gallery (as opposed to WB not letting the Salkinds touch Superman's with a ten-foot pole...seriously, it's 2017 now, WHERE THE **** IS BRAINIAC?!?!?!?).

 

[Rorschach2012]

So stupid that we never got a Reeve era Brainiac. SUCH a waste. Mxyzptlk would've worked so well in that universe too.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Superman wins this one, IMO. Superman '78 and Batman '89 are both great, but Superman II easily tops Batman Returns in my book and the other films in each series are garbage but at least the Superman films all had Reeve.

 

[hellblazer103]

As always, Batman > Superman.

 

[Rorschach2012]

This poll is so easy though. Superman III and IV are some of the worst in the genre. Reeve is pretty much the only good thing in those movies.

 

[The Joker]

Whereas Schumacher's Batman movies are rated so highly in the genre. They didn't even have a Chris Reeve caliber performance going for them.

 

[Greens]

Batman

 

[Boy Scout]

Superman, but it was almost a tie. SII and BR are both fantastic. STM and B89 are both damn good, but the latter is quite boring at times. The former, never so.

 

[hellblazer103]

Whereas Schumacher's Batman movies are rated so highly in the genre. They didn't even have a Chris Reeve caliber performance going for them.

Ahnold's Mr. Freeze performance is unforgettable.... Ya know, in that " so bad it's good " fashion. Like The Room.

 

[The Joker]

Ahnold's Mr. Freeze performance is unforgettable.... Ya know, in that " so bad it's good " fashion. Like The Room.

Yeah unforgettable for the wrong reasons lol. Whereas Reeve is memorable for the right ones, even in his two final crappy Supes movies.

 

[OutOfBoose]

Batman no contest for me. All four films. I'll take them over any Superman film any day. Even though I respect STM.

 

[kguillou]

Batman for me. I have such a fond place in my heart for the Tim Burton movies. I was in love with Batman Returns especially as a kid in the early 90's. I love Superman I and II but, I still feel they have imperfections (like Superman I's turn back time ending ughhh). Batman '89 is perfect to me and Batman Returns, while flawed carries a special place in my heart and I just love Burton's atmosphere for the Batman world.

Batman Returns...whatever, its bad but watchable. Batman and Robin, yeesh, even as a kid I thought the movie was crap. I didnt discover Superman III and IV until very recently and those movies are just cringeworthy bad. But I dont think any of the Schumacher Batman movies reach the level of atrocious that Superman IV reached. That movie is a cheapass, low budgeted mess of a film.

 

[psylockolussus]

Both are extremely dated. Though Batman had more interesting villains, so my vote goes for him.

 

[marvelrobbins]

while i am bigger batman fan than superman i have to go with superman due to it is one of best films ever in genre.while i am fan of both of burton batman films especilly batman returns superman beats them all.christpher reeve only elvates superman III and IV.if you forced me i would probally watch superman III over batman forever and superman IV is defently more watchable than batman & robin though neither film is great.

 

[Milk Tray Guy]

Batman easily.

Really like Batman '89 and Batman Forever, love Batman Returns; Batman & Robin is God-awful.

Like Superman the Movie, Superman II is okay, Superman III passable - barely; Superman IV is awful (but not in B&R's league).

 

[The Batman]

Superman > Batman
Superman 2 < Batman Returns
Superman 3 < Batman Forever
Superman 4 > Batman and Robin

Had Donner finished his version of Superman 2, Superman would've won. All in all, its pretty much a tie for me.

 

[Rorschach2012]

III and IV are so lacking visually, at least BF and B&R are visually appealing. I love the outlandish look of Gotham in those

O'Donnell was the perfect Robin for that era too. And I don't care what people say, Jim Carrey made a fantastic Riddler. He basically just updated the Gorshin take. Nothing wrong with Kilmer's Batman either.

 

[Milk Tray Guy]

And I don't care what people say, Jim Carrey made a fantastic Riddler. He basically just updated the Gorshin take. Nothing wrong with Kilmer's Batman either.

Agree with this. I actually think Kilmer did a great job. I'd love to have seen him get a chance to do a more serious Bat-movie. Some of the outtakes from Batman Forever look really interesting (still trying to get my hands on a 'Red Book' edition! ).

 

[Batmannerism]

Superman > Batman
Superman 2 < Batman Returns
Superman 3 < Batman Forever
Superman 4 > Batman and Robin

Had Donner finished his version of Superman 2, Superman would've won. All in all, its pretty much a tie for me.

I completely agree with your assessment Sir !

Superman IV, while dreadful, still has Reeve - and he's still great as Superman, despite the garbage around him and the incredibly low budget.

Batman and Robin....... let's not go there.

 

[Nemeres]

I think the first four Batmans have more value as a series than the first four Supermans, and I get mucho enjoyment out of B89 and BF in particular. However, none of those approach that movie magic feel of STM or SII in my appreciation, so that evens it out and ends up giving Superman the advantage.

 

[Milk Tray Guy]

Nice to see some support for Batman Forever on here!

 

[Rorschach2012]

Superman The Movie is pure magic. Such a feel good movie. It's crazy that they struck gold with the first Superman movie, I don't think it will be able to be topped.

Still, Batman 89 is probably my favorite movie ever. So quotable, and the performances are amazing. Nicholson and Keaton will probably always be my favorite Joker and Batman