Like the Batman franchise, Superman is a franchise with iconic heroes and villains. This article is about going over the heroes and villains that have appeared in the highest number of films.
The live-action Superman films:
1. Superman (1978)
2. Superman 2 (1980)
3. Superman 3 (1983)
4. Superman 4: The Quest for Peace (1987)
5. Superman Returns (2006)
6. Man of Steel (2013)
7. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
General Zod had a brief appearance in one film (Superman) and starred in two films (Superman 2 and Man of Steel). Jonathan Kent has appeared in three films, including Superman, Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (cameo role).
Jor-El has appeared in four films, including Superman, Superman 2 (director's cut), Superman Returns and Man of Steel. Lara has appeared in four films, including Superman, Superman 2 (theatrical cut), Superman 4: The Quest for Peace (cameo role) and Man of Steel. Martha Kent has appeared in four films, including Superman, Superman Returns, Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Lex Luthor has proven himself as Superman's main enemy by appearing in five of the films. The only films that he didn't appear in are Superman 3 and Man of Steel.
Jimmy Olsen has appeared in six of the films. The only film that he didn't appear in was Man of Steel, although he only made a brief appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
As to be expected, Superman appears in all seven films. Lois Lane and Perry White also appear in all seven films.
Overall:
Characters that appeared in three films: General Zod and Jonathan Kent
Characters that appeared in four films: Jor-El, Lara and Martha Kent
Character that appeared in five films: Lex Luthor
Character that appeared in six films: Jimmy Olsen
Character that appeared in seven films: Superman, Lois Lane and Perry White
The live-action Superman films:
1. Superman (1978)
2. Superman 2 (1980)
3. Superman 3 (1983)
4. Superman 4: The Quest for Peace (1987)
5. Superman Returns (2006)
6. Man of Steel (2013)
7. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
General Zod had a brief appearance in one film (Superman) and starred in two films (Superman 2 and Man of Steel). Jonathan Kent has appeared in three films, including Superman, Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (cameo role).
Jor-El has appeared in four films, including Superman, Superman 2 (director's cut), Superman Returns and Man of Steel. Lara has appeared in four films, including Superman, Superman 2 (theatrical cut), Superman 4: The Quest for Peace (cameo role) and Man of Steel. Martha Kent has appeared in four films, including Superman, Superman Returns, Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Lex Luthor has proven himself as Superman's main enemy by appearing in five of the films. The only films that he didn't appear in are Superman 3 and Man of Steel.
Jimmy Olsen has appeared in six of the films. The only film that he didn't appear in was Man of Steel, although he only made a brief appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
As to be expected, Superman appears in all seven films. Lois Lane and Perry White also appear in all seven films.
Overall:
Characters that appeared in three films: General Zod and Jonathan Kent
Characters that appeared in four films: Jor-El, Lara and Martha Kent
Character that appeared in five films: Lex Luthor
Character that appeared in six films: Jimmy Olsen
Character that appeared in seven films: Superman, Lois Lane and Perry White