Updated
Superman for kids: a UK parents' guide
Which Superman films, shows and comics suit your child? BBFC ratings for every Superman film and series, age-by-age picks and kids' comics, for UK parents.
The short answer
In the UK, the Christopher Reeve Superman films (1978–87) are rated PG, and every live-action Superman cinema release since 2006 is 12A in cinemas and 12 at home, including Superman (2025). Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021) is the exception at 15. For under-8s, DC League of Super-Pets (PG) and the LEGO Justice League films (U) are the gentlest picks. My Adventures with Superman is rated 12, PG and 12 by season, and two DC animated films, Superman Unbound and Justice League: Warworld, are rated 15.
Superman is one of the best heroes to share with children: kind, brave and always trying to help. But “Superman” covers everything from a Krypto cartoon to films rated 15, so it’s worth knowing the ratings before you press play. Every rating on this page comes from the BBFC’s own records, checked on 6 November 2026.
The quick answer
- Every Reeve-era Superman film (1978–87) is PG. Superman (1978) was first rated A in 1978 and is PG today. The spin-off Supergirl (1984) is the exception: the cinema version was reclassified 12 for streaming in 2026, so the version you’ll stream is 12, not PG.
- Every live-action Superman cinema release since 2006 is 12A in cinemas and 12 at home, from Superman Returns to Superman (2025) and Supergirl (2026). The exception is Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021), which went straight to streaming and is rated 15. Animated films vary: DC League of Super-Pets is PG, and some are 15.
- Animated doesn’t mean little kids. Most DC animated Superman films are 12, and two are 15.
- My Adventures with Superman is rated 12, PG and 12 by season in the UK.
The BBFC describes PG as “general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children”, so a PG rating is still worth a quick check.
Live-action films
| Film | Cinema | At home | BBFC content notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superman (1978) | A (1978); PG (2020) | PG | Mild threat, violence, sex references, language |
| Superman II (1980) | A (1980) | PG | None listed |
| Superman III (1983) | PG | PG | Mild violence and language |
| Supergirl (1984) | PG | 12 on streaming (the cinema version, reclassified in 2026); 12 for the International Version on Blu-ray (2020); PG for the Extended and Abridged versions | Language, sexual threat |
| Superman IV (1987) | PG | PG | Mild fantasy violence |
| Superman Returns (2006) | 12A | 12 | Sex references, threat, violence |
| Man of Steel (2013) | 12A | 12 | Moderate violence |
| Batman v Superman (2016) | 12A | 12 | Moderate violence, threat |
| Justice League (2017) | 12A | 12 | — |
| Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) | — | 15 | Strong violence |
| Superman (2025) | 12A | 12 | Moderate violence, threat, injury detail, language |
| Supergirl (2026) | 12A | 12 | Moderate violence, threat, language |
About Superman (2025): the BBFC’s longer notes mention moderate fantasy violence (including a shooting without strong detail), sustained threat from a giant monster and collapsing buildings, moderate bad language, occasional bloody injuries and upsetting scenes of loss. It also carries a photosensitive epilepsy warning. See our Superman (2025) guide.
TV series
TV broadcasts aren’t rated by the BBFC, so these ratings are for DVD, Blu-ray and some streaming releases.
| Series | BBFC rating | Content notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kirk Alyn serials (1948, 1950) | U | — |
| Lois & Clark (1993–97) | U and PG, by episode | Mild violence |
| Superman: The Animated Series (1996–2000) | PG, with some episodes U | Mild violence, threat, sex references |
| Smallville (2001–11) | 12 | Moderate violence |
| Supergirl (2015–21) | 12 | — |
| Superman & Lois (2021–24) | 12 (all four seasons) | — |
| My Adventures with Superman (2023–) | 12, PG and 12 by season (April 2026) | — |
The BBFC’s page for My Adventures with Superman doesn’t say which season is the PG one, so check before you start. We haven’t found BBFC records for Adventures of Superman (1952–58) or the 1940s Fleischer cartoons. For where to stream each series, see Superman on TV.
Animated and family films
| Film | BBFC rating | Content notes |
|---|---|---|
| LEGO DC: Attack of the Legion of Doom! (2015) | U | Mild fantasy violence, very mild bad language |
| LEGO DC: Cosmic Clash (2016) | U | Mild fantasy violence |
| DC League of Super-Pets (2022) | PG | Mild violence, threat, language |
| Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too! (2023) | PG | Mild threat |
| Superman: Brainiac Attacks (2006) | PG | Mild fantasy violence |
| Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part One (2024) | PG | Mild bad language, fantasy violence, threat |
| Superman: Doomsday (2007) | 12 | Moderate violence, threat |
| All-Star Superman (2011) | 12 | Moderate violence |
| The Death of Superman (2018) | 12 | Moderate fantasy violence, bloody images |
| Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020) | 12 | Moderate violence, bloody images, threat, rude gesture |
| Superman Unbound (2013) | 15 | Strong violence |
| Justice League: Warworld (2023) | 15 | Strong violence, bloody images |
| Crisis on Infinite Earths Parts Two and Three (2024) | 15 | Strong violence, injury detail, bloody images |
Several other DC animated Superman films, including Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, Superman vs. The Elite and Superman: Red Son, are rated 12.
Our picks by age
These are our suggestions, based on the BBFC ratings above. They aren’t BBFC advice, and you know your child best.
Under 8
- DC League of Super-Pets (PG), starring Superman’s dog, Krypto
- Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too! (PG)
- The LEGO DC Justice League films (U)
8 to 12
- Superman: The Animated Series (PG; some episodes U)
- Superman (1978) and Superman II (PG)
- Lois & Clark (U and PG episodes)
- Superman: Brainiac Attacks (PG)
- My Adventures with Superman, the PG season only
Teens (12 and over)
- Superman (2025) (12A/12)
- Superman & Lois and Smallville (12)
- Man of Steel and Batman v Superman (12A/12), which are darker in tone
- All-Star Superman and Superman: Man of Tomorrow (12)
Keep for 15 and over: Superman Unbound, Justice League: Warworld, Crisis on Infinite Earths Parts Two and Three, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
Comics for kids
| Comic | Creators | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Superman of Smallville (2019) | Art Baltazar and Franco Aureliani | 8 to 12, according to Kirkus |
| Superman Smashes the Klan (2019–20) | Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiru | Middle grade; it deals with racism, so it’s worth reading together |
Both come from DC’s graphic novels line for children, which launched as DC Zoom in 2019, became DC Kids and is now DC Graphic Novels for Kids. For older readers, see our comics reading order, and for buying comics in the UK, collecting Superman comics.
Where to watch in the UK
As of 6 November 2026, according to JustWatch UK: Superman (1978) is on HBO Max and to rent or buy; DC League of Super-Pets is on HBO Max, NOW and Sky; Superman (2025) is on HBO Max, NOW and Sky Go; Smallville is on Netflix and free on ITVX; Superman & Lois is on Prime Video, with seasons 1 and 2 on BBC iPlayer; and My Adventures with Superman is on HBO Max. Streaming line-ups change often, so check before you plan a family film night.
For the BBFC’s own look at how Superman’s ratings have changed, see its case study, Superman Through the Eras, listed in our sources.
Questions
What age is Superman (2025) suitable for?
The BBFC rated Superman (2025) 12A in cinemas and 12 at home, for moderate violence, threat, injury detail and language. It also carries a photosensitive epilepsy warning.
Is My Adventures with Superman suitable for young children?
Not all of it. The BBFC rated its seasons 12, PG and 12 for HBO Max in April 2026. Only the PG season is aimed at a younger audience, so check each season's rating before watching.
What is the best Superman film for young kids?
For under-8s, DC League of Super-Pets (PG), starring Krypto, and the LEGO DC Justice League films (U) are the gentlest. For 8 to 12, Superman (1978) and Superman: The Animated Series are both rated PG. These are our suggestions, based on BBFC ratings.
Are the Superman animated films suitable for children?
Many aren't for young children. Most DC animated Superman films are rated 12, and Superman Unbound and Justice League: Warworld are rated 15 for strong violence. The cartoon style doesn't mean they suit younger viewers.
What Superman comics are good for kids?
Superman of Smallville by Art Baltazar and Franco (2019), which Kirkus recommends for ages 8 to 12, and Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiru, which deals with racism and is worth reading together.
Is Superman suitable for children?
Mostly yes, but check the ratings. The 1978–87 Reeve films and Superman: The Animated Series are PG. Every live-action cinema release since 2006 is 12A or 12, but Zack Snyder's Justice League is 15. DC League of Super-Pets (PG) suits younger children. A few animated films, like Superman Unbound, are rated 15.
Sources and further reading
- BBFC: Superman (1978)
- BBFC: Superman (1978) Extended Cut
- BBFC: DC League of Super-Pets
- BBFC: Superman: The Animated Series
- BBFC: Superman: The Complete Animated Series
- BBFC: Superman & Lois
- BBFC: My Adventures with Superman
- BBFC: Smallville
- BBFC: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
- BBFC: Superman Unbound
- BBFC: Justice League: Warworld
- BBFC: Justice League (2017)
- BBFC: search (other films in the tables)
- BBFC: Superman Through the Eras (case study, archived copy)
- Kirkus: Superman of Smallville
- School Library Journal: Superman of Smallville review
- Wikipedia: DC Graphic Novels for Kids
- JustWatch UK: Superman (1978)
- JustWatch UK: DC League of Super-Pets