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Credit: DC / Warner Bros.When one thinks of Superman, more often than not, one thinks of Christopher Reeve, the actor who brought the iconic DC superhero into the mainstream in 1978. While other actors had already donned the red cape before Richard Donner’s iconic film (Kirk Alyn, John Haymes Newton, and George Reeves), Reeve’s charm and charisma were unmatchable.
Superman (1978) launched Reeve to global stardom. Now, it’s almost impossible to separate the man from the myth. But behind the role that made him a household name was a human being; a son, a husband, and a father.
And Reeve is no longer known only for his time as the Son of Krypton–a life-changing horse-riding accident in 1995 led to him becoming a different kind of superhero altogether. A real one.
How Many Superman Movies Did Christopher Reeve Appear In?
Christopher Reeve appeared in four Superman films: Superman (1978), Superman II (1980), Superman III (1983), and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987).
While Superman Returns (2006) is considered the fifth film in the series, Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman is portrayed by Brandon Routh, with supporting characters carried over from the previous movies also recast: Kate Bosworth replaces Margot Kidder as Lois Lane and Kevin Spacey takes over from Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor.
Since his passing, however, Christopher Reeve’s Superman has appeared in other corners of the expanded DC Universe. DC Comics’ “Superman ’78” captures Reeves’ likeness and is considered canon with the first two films. And in last year’s DC Universe (DCU) film The Flash (2023), Reeve’s Man of Steel is re-created for a brief cameo using digital technology.
Recently, Reeve returned as a true man of steel in the documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, which was released in US theaters in September and in UK theaters last month. Now, the film has landed on streaming, so here’s our review.
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What’s the New Superman Documentary About?
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story follows the late icon’s his personal life before and after the accident in 1995 that left him completely paralyzed, interwoven with stories about his journey from a young theater actor on Broadway to becoming one of the biggest stars in the world when he was cast as Superman in Richard Donner’s 1978 classic of the same name.
“The story of Christopher Reeve is an astonishing rise from unknown actor to iconic movie star, and his definitive portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman set the benchmark for the superhero cinematic universes that dominate cinema today,” the official Warner Bros. synopsis reads.
“Reeve portrayed the Man of Steel in four Superman films and played dozens of other roles that displayed his talent and range as an actor, before being injured in a near-fatal horse-riding accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down.”
“After becoming a quadriplegic, he became a charismatic leader and activist in the quest to find a cure for spinal cord injuries,” it continues, “as well as a passionate advocate for disability rights and care – all while continuing his career in cinema in front of and behind the camera and dedicating himself to his beloved family.
Watch the official trailer for Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story from Warner Bros.:
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Who’s in It?
In addition to the late Christopher Reeve, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story has plenty of familiar Hollywood stars, including Glenn Close and Whoopi Goldberg, both of whom worked with Reeve on the film In the Gloaming–which was filmed after his accident–and Susan Sarandon and the late Robin Williams, who the actor’s close friends.
The official synopsis for the documentary film reads: “From the directors of McQueen, Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, this film includes never-before-seen intimate home movies and an extraordinary trove of personal archive material, as well as the first extended interviews ever filmed with Reeve’s three children about their father, and interviews with the A-list Hollywood actors who were Reeve’s colleagues and friends.”
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Is It Any Good?
As you might expect, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story isn’t an easy watch, as you may find the footage that shows Reeve after his life-changing injury deeply upsetting.
But the documentary film is as insightful as it is moving, as it sheds the light not only on the star’s plight, but also as a father and a husband, and as an actor who, following his role as Superman, was keen to take on increasingly challenging roles throughout his career.
But it’s Reeve’s journey from a spinal injury victim to an activist determined to find a cure for those with the same affliction that serves as the film’s anchor. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is an inspirational story about a man who, as Reeve once put it himself, “finds the strength to preserve and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”
As such, the film will change your perception of what a real hero is, in the same way it changed Reeve’s after his arduous journey from patient to icon. “What is a hero?” he asks.
“My answer was that a hero is someone who commits a courageous action without considering the consequences. Now, my definition is completely different. I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to preserve and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”
Warner Bros. describes the film as “a moving and vivid cinematic telling of Reeve’s remarkable story”–we couldn’t agree more. The film is also bookmarked with shots of a giant, digitally rendered statue of Reeve floating in the cosmos; a representation of both his role on the screen and the real-life hero he became before his untimely death in 2004.
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Where Can I Watch It?
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is now streaming on HBO and Max. You can also stream or download the movie on Amazon Prime Video.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is produced by Passion Pictures (Searching For Sugar Man, The Territory) and Misfits Entertainment (McQueen, Rising Phoenix).
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When’s the New SUPERMAN Movie Out?
James Gunn’s SUPERMAN is scheduled for theatrical release on July 11, 2025.
It will be the tenth live-action film to feature Superman, following Christopher Reeve’s four outings, Brandon Routh’s 2006 sequel/remake, Superman Returns, and Henry Cavill’s four main DCU appearances in Man of Steel (2013), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Justice League (2017), and Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021).
If you’ve already watched Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story and you can’t wait until James Gunn’s reboot flies into theaters, there’s still plenty of new Superman content. Check out DC Comics’ “Absolute Superman,” a bold new reimagining of the Son of Krypton.
Will you be watching Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story on streaming? Let us know in the comments down below!