Superman: Doomsday vs. The Death of Superman: Which Animated Movie Should Your Family Watch?
There are two animated adaptations of the iconic "Death of Superman" storyline, and they're wildly different in quality and appropriateness:
- Superman: Doomsday (2007) – Ages 13+. Darker, more violent, weirdly paced. Skip it.
- The Death of Superman (2018) & Reign of the Supermen (2019) – Ages 10-12+. Better storytelling, more faithful adaptation, still intense but appropriate for tweens/teens.
Bottom line: Go with the 2018/2019 two-parter. It's not even close.
Back in the 1990s, DC Comics did something unprecedented: they killed Superman. The "Death of Superman" storyline was a massive cultural event—Superman dies fighting an unstoppable monster called Doomsday, the world mourns, and then four mysterious "Supermen" show up claiming to be the real deal.
It's one of the most famous comic book stories ever told, so naturally, DC has tried to adapt it twice in animated form:
- Superman: Doomsday (2007) – The first attempt, a standalone 75-minute movie that tried to cram the entire saga into one film
- The Death of Superman (2018) and Reign of the Supermen (2019) – A two-part adaptation that takes its time and gets it right
If your kid is into superheroes and wants to watch Superman actually die on screen (which, let's be honest, sounds pretty epic to a 10-year-old), you need to know which version is worth your time.
Why It Disappoints
This was DC's first PG-13 animated movie, and they seemed to think "PG-13" meant "add unnecessary violence and make everything grim."
The problems:
- Rushed storytelling: They tried to fit a massive comic event into 75 minutes, so everything feels crammed and underdeveloped
- Unnecessarily dark tone: The movie goes for edgy and violent in ways that don't serve the story
- Weird characterization: Lex Luthor clones Superman and the whole thing gets convoluted fast
- The violence feels gratuitous: There's blood, brutal fighting, and a tone that feels more "look how mature we are" than genuinely compelling
- Lois Lane subplot is uncomfortable: Without spoiling too much, there's a romance element that feels off and frankly creepy
What parents should know:
The fight between Superman and Doomsday is legitimately brutal—buildings collapse on civilians, there's blood, and the death itself is pretty graphic for animation. If your kid is sensitive to intense violence or character death, this isn't it.
Age recommendation: 13+ at the earliest, but honestly, there are better superhero movies for that age group. Check out Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse or The Batman instead.
Why These Work
DC learned from their mistakes and gave this story the space it deserved—two movies, about 87 minutes each, that actually develop characters and earn their emotional moments.
What makes them better:
- Proper pacing: The first movie builds up Superman's relationship with Lois, the Justice League dynamics, and the threat of Doomsday before the big fight
- Earned emotional weight: When Superman dies, you actually care because you've spent time with these characters
- Better violence balance: It's still intense—this is a movie about Superman getting beaten to death—but it's not gratuitous
- The sequel pays off: Reign of the Supermen explores the aftermath and introduces four replacement Supermen, each representing different aspects of what Superman meant
- Faithful to the source: Comic fans will appreciate how much of the original storyline made it into these films
What parents should know:
These are still intense movies. The fight with Doomsday is brutal, civilians die on screen (not graphically, but it's clear), and Superman's death is emotional and violent. The sequel has some body horror elements with cyborg Superman and cloning themes that might disturb younger viewers.
That said, the violence serves the story rather than trying to shock you. There's genuine heroism, sacrifice, and hope woven throughout both films.
Age recommendation: 10-12+ depending on your kid's sensitivity to:
- Intense superhero violence
- Character death (a main character dies on screen)
- Themes of grief and loss
- Some mild language and romantic elements (nothing explicit)
For Ages 10-12 (Tweens)
The 2018/2019 movies work well for this age group if they're comfortable with:
- Superhero violence that has real consequences
- Seeing a beloved hero die (even though we know how these stories work)
- Complex themes about what makes someone a hero
Watch together for the first viewing. There are great conversation starters about sacrifice, heroism, and what Superman represents.
For Ages 13+
Teens can handle either version technically, but the 2018/2019 films are still the better choice because they're just... better movies. The storytelling is stronger, the characters are more developed, and the emotional payoff actually lands.
For Younger Kids (Under 10)
Neither of these movies is appropriate. If your younger kid is into Superman, stick with:
- Superman: The Animated Series (Ages 6+)
- DC Super Hero Girls (Ages 5+)
- Superman & Lois (Ages 10+, family drama with superhero elements)
The "Death of Superman" storyline isn't just about shock value—it's about what Superman represents and what happens when that symbol is gone. The best versions of this story (the 2018/2019 films) explore:
- Heroic sacrifice: Superman doesn't die in some cosmic battle; he dies protecting Metropolis from a mindless monster
- What defines a hero: When four "Supermen" show up, each represents a different interpretation of heroism—strength, technology, youth, or ruthlessness
- Hope and legacy: The story is ultimately about how Superman's example inspired others, even in death
These are genuinely meaningful themes that can spark great conversations with older kids about what makes someone heroic beyond just having powers.
Skip Superman: Doomsday (2007) entirely. It's not terrible, but it's unnecessary when a much better version exists.
Watch The Death of Superman (2018) and Reign of the Supermen (2019). They're both streaming on HBO Max and available for rental on most platforms.
Plan for both movies—they're really one story split into two parts. Don't watch the first one without planning to watch the sequel, or you'll end on a massive cliffhanger.
Watch together if your kid is on the younger end of the age range (10-12). There are intense moments that benefit from being able to pause and talk through what's happening.
The 2018/2019 Death of Superman two-parter is a genuinely good superhero story that respects both the source material and the audience. It's intense, emotional, and earns its big moments in a way the 2007 version never does.
If your tween or teen is ready for a more serious superhero story—one where actions have real consequences and heroes can actually die—this is a solid choice. Just know what you're getting into: this isn't lighthearted superhero fun. It's a story about loss, legacy, and what it means to be a symbol of hope.
And if after watching these your kid wants more DC animated movies that don't involve Superman dying, check out our guide to the best DC animated movies for kids.