Superman

An infant alien orphan is sent from his dying planet Krypton to Earth to be raised as his son by Jonathan and Martha Kent in Smallville, Kansas. Aided by sunlight, he develops incredible powers and grows up to become Superman. He moves to Metropolis and begins his career as a superhero, while also juggling his civilian identity as reporter Clark Kent.

Superman was a critical and commercial success, praised for its groundbreaking special effects, Christopher Reeve's performance, and its optimistic tone. It is widely considered one of the greatest superhero films ever made and a landmark in the genre.

• Praised for its faithfulness to the source material and its optimistic portrayal of heroism.

• Christopher Reeve's iconic performance as both Superman and Clark Kent was universally lauded.

• The special effects were considered revolutionary for their time, making the impossible believable.

Google audience: Audiences loved the film's sense of hope and adventure, with many praising Christopher Reeve's performance and the film's classic comic book feel. Some found the pacing a bit slow in parts, but the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.

Won an Academy Award for Best Special Visual Effects (awarded to Marlon Brando for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Jor-El). Nominated for two additional Academy Awards. Won a Golden Globe for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama (Christopher Reeve).

The iconic 'S' shield on Superman's chest was originally designed to be a traditional 'S' for Superman. However, the costume designer, Yvonne Blake, suggested that it could also represent 'hope' on Krypton, leading to the symbol's dual meaning.