Skip to main content Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Search Tom's Guide View Profile Newsletters Best Picks Entertainment OpenAI announcement Switch 2 Restock Galaxy Z Fold 7 iPhone 17 Air Best laptops Wordle Today Best Mattress Recommended reading Every movie Superman, ranked: Who wore the cape best? ‘Superman’ shocked me by being my favorite movie in the whole franchise — and now I need more Entertainment I can't wait to see 'Superman' again — but there's 3 things that are bugging me a week later ‘Superman’ is rated 93% by viewers, but did we see the same movie? Here are my 5 major issues with the Man of Steel’s subpar return When is 'Superman' streaming? Here's our best guess 'Superman' trailer shows the hero face off against powerful enemies — and a glimpse at the man beneath the cape 7 best new to Max movies to stream this month Entertainment If you loved ‘Superman,’ you need to watch ‘Smallville’ — and you can stream all 10 seasons on Hulu Xandra Harbet 24 July 2025 Why you should catch Superman on the small screen When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Alamy) There’s a new Superman in Metropolis, and while his face is new, he feels eerily familiar. Since the beginning, Superman has always felt like two characters: Kal-El and Clark Kent. Every hero has a secret identity, but few are as tricky to balance. Most actors tend to favor one over the other. But in 2025’s "Superman," David Corenswet nails both. He brings classic charm and moral clarity while making the character his own. We meet him already established at the Daily Planet and as a hero — no tired origin story, just immersion. While Corenswet shines, what thrilled me most was the film's embrace of Clark’s roots. Too often, Superman movies skip over what actually makes him Clark: the Kents. Watching certain scenes, I felt like I was back in 2001, reliving Tom Welling’s journey from farm boy to hero in "Smallville." You may like Every movie Superman, ranked: Who wore the cape best? ‘Superman’ shocked me by being my favorite movie in the whole franchise — and now I need more I can't wait to see 'Superman' again — but there's 3 things that are bugging me a week later Now that Kansas is back in the spotlight, it’s the perfect time to revisit Clark’s coming-of-age. While "Smallville" is largely pre-cape, its monster-of-the-week structure gives us a deep dive into Clark’s most complex relationship: Lex Luthor. And with Nicholas Hoult’s sharp new Lex still fresh, now’s a great time to binge-watch all 10 seasons of "Smallville" on Hulu — whether it’s your first watch or your hundredth. Free trial!Hulu (with ads): at Hulu One month free trial! Try Hulu free for 30 days and check out movies like "The Amateur" at no cost. The heart of Superman Yes, Clark is an alien. But what most Superman movies overlook is the fact that he was raised human. The Kents didn’t just give him shelter — they gave him his values. Like the new film, "Smallville" focuses on life on the farm, showing Clark’s version of a “normal” upbringing. The Kents may not be wealthy, but they raise him with humility, kindness, and a deep respect for life. In "Smallville," John Kent won’t let Clark accept a new truck from Lex, even after saving his life. The lesson? You don’t get rewarded for doing the right thing. Without that foundation, Clark could’ve easily gone the way of Nathan Fillion’s Green Lantern — or worse, become someone like Lex, who masks selfishness with noble intent. The Kents in "Superman" (2025) are even more grounded. Their house is run-down, their farm modest. But what they give Clark is priceless: identity, purpose, a compass. “It’s who you are, not where you come from,” John tells him — a sentiment echoed throughout "Smallville." Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. The best Lex Luthor (Image credit: Alamy) I’ve said it for years: Michael Rosenbaum is the best Lex Luthor. Most versions dive too fast into villainy, skipping the complexity. Lex isn’t just a criminal — he’s a brilliant, obsessive, deeply broken man. "Smallville" took liberties with Clark and Lex’s origin, but their bond is the soul of the show. It’s layered, tragic, and unforgettable. No surprise the top "Smallville" fanfiction ship is Clark and Lex. Over time, Lex becomes obsessed with Clark’s secret, and their trust slowly unravels. Rosenbaum gave us a slow, painful descent into darkness, as Lex’s curiosity morphs into paranoia. Hoult’s Lex in "Superman" echoes that same DNA: unhinged brilliance fueled by insecurity. Both actors capture Lex’s deep need for power and control, laced with just enough humanity to make you flinch. I don’t usually feel for villains — but Rosenbaum’s Lex gets me every time. Superman stands for something (Image credit: Alamy) People love to complain that superhero movies are “too political” now. But Superman’s always been political. He’s an alien immigrant who fights for the powerless — that’s baked into his DNA. The 2025 film leans into that legacy, just as the original comics tackled war, corruption, and inequality. "Smallville" isn’t overtly political, but it still explores power and morality — especially through Lex’s rise in later seasons. If the movie’s commentary hit home, you’ll find quieter echoes in Clark’s small-town struggles and Lex’s ambition. And importantly, neither version gives us a perfect hero. Corenswet’s Clark is cocky and stubborn, and some of the film’s chaos is his own doing. Same goes for "Smallville’s" Clark, who hides the truth from Lex and walks away when honesty might have changed everything. Superman’s strength isn’t just in flight or heat vision — it’s in trying to do the right thing, even when he fails. And that drive doesn’t come from Krypton. It comes from the Kents. Watch all 10 seasons of "Smallville" on Hulu More From Tom's Guide Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. New on Hulu in June 2025 — all the new shows and movies to watch How to get Hulu for free Best live TV streaming services in 2025: Today's best Hulu deals Get first month fr... Hulu - Monthly (with Ads) Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle - Monthly Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle - Monthly We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices See more Entertainment News Xandra Harbet Social Links Navigation Xandra is an entertainment journalist with clips in outlets like Salon, Insider, The Daily Dot, and Regal. In her 6+ years of writing, she's covered red carpets, premieres, and events like New York Comic Con. Xandra has conducted around 200 interviews with celebrities like Henry Cavill, Sylvester Stallone, and Adam Driver. She received her B.A. in English/Creative Writing from Randolph College, where she chilled with the campus ghosts and read Edgar Allan Poe at 3 am. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Every movie Superman, ranked: Who wore the cape best? ‘Superman’ shocked me by being my favorite movie in the whole franchise — and now I need more I can't wait to see 'Superman' again — but there's 3 things that are bugging me a week later ‘Superman’ is rated 93% by viewers, but did we see the same movie? Here are my 5 major issues with the Man of Steel’s subpar return When is 'Superman' streaming? 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