SUPERMAN THE MOVIES TIMELINE 1985-1989
1974-1979
1980-1984
1985-1989
1990-2023
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–1985–
March 1985
March 22, 1985– SUPERGIRL opens theatrically in West Germany.
VIDEO: SUPERGIRL German theatrical trailer.
April 1985
April 6, 1985– Christopher Reeve guest hosts SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE with permanent cast member and SUPERMAN III co-star Pamela Stephenson.
April 7, 1985– ABC airs the extended TV version of SUPERMAN II for the second time.
April 11, 1985– U.S.A Home Video releases the 105 minutes U.S. theatrical version of SUPERGIRL on VHS and Betamax for $79.95. The film is also made available on laserdisc and CED. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
June 1985
Mid June 1985– Cannon films acquires the Superman film rights from the Salkinds.
August 1985
August 16, 1985– This is the date that appears on the newspaper Mariel Hemingway as Lacy Warfield holds up in the staff meeting sequence in SUPERMAN IV. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
August 17, 1985– This is the date that appears on the newspaper Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man sees “the woman” on in SUPERMAN IV. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
August 18, 1985– ABC airs SUPERMAN THE MOVIE for the fourth and final time. This is an edited for network standards theatrical version airing of the film.
August 29, 1985– This is the date on the newspaper that appears with the headline “SUPERMAN SAYS ‘DROP DEAD’ TO KID” in SUPERMAN IV. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
November 1985
November 2, 1985– The 105 minutes U.S. theatrical version makes its television world premiere by airing on the Cinemax premium cable channel.
The film would air exclusively on HBO and Cinemax until its network TV premiere in 1987. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
November 8, 1985– The 105 minutes U.S. theatrical version airs on the Cinemax premium cable channel.
The film would air exclusively on HBO and Cinemax until its network TV premiere in 1987. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
November 16, 1985– Two weeks after making its television world premiere on the Cinemax premium cable channel, the U.S. theatrical version of SUPERGIRL premieres on HBO.
The film would play exclusively in the U.S. on HBO and Cinemax until its network TV premiere in 1987.
December 1985
December 1985– It’s officially announced that Christopher Reeve will star in a fourth Superman film.
December 29, 1985– ABC airs SUPERGIRL: THE MAKING OF THE MOVIE and the TV version of SUPERMAN II.
VIDEO: ABC TV ads, intro and teaser.
-1986-
January 1986
January 4, 1986– After four years on ABC, CBS acquires the rights to and airs the theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE from 8-11pm.
April 1986
Early April 1986– Margot Kidder signs on to do SUPERMAN IV.
April 20, 1986– ABC premieres the extended tv version of SUPERMAN III from 8-11pm.
Following the tradition of previous airings of the Superman films on ABC, this showing featured some 19 minutes of added footage that was cut theatrically, including a newly created opening credits sequence, giving the film a 141 minutes running time.
VIDEO: SUPERMAN III ABC TV spots and intro.
-June 1986-
June 1986– Cannon Films shifts production of SUPERMAN IV from Pinewood Studios to Elstree Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
July 1986
July 6, 1986– Christopher Reeve appears on Entertainment Tonight to talk SUPERMAN IV.
-September 1986-
September 29, 1986– SUPERMAN IV begins principal photography with the filming of Clark visiting the Kent’s grave and the barn interior with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent in Baldock, Hertfordshire, England.
The sequence of Clark at the Kent’s grave has never been seen publicly outside of the test screenings.
The shot of Mr. Hornsby’s truck driving up the road as seen through Clark’s x-ray vision was filmed in California. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
September 30, 1986– Day two of principal photography for SUPERMAN IV and finishing filming the farm scenes with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Don Fellows as Levon Hornsby in Baldock, Hertfordshire, England.
Don Fellows may seem familiar to fans, he was the general in East Houston that only answers to the President in SUPERMAN II. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
October 1986
October 1, 1986– Day three of principal photography for SUPERMAN IV has Christopher Reeve as Superman filming the tornado sequence.
This sequence was featured completed with music and special fx in the theatrical cut in various countries outside of the U.S., giving that version of the film a running time of 93 minutes.
The post-2006 DVD and bluray releases contain the sequence in widescreen with temporary music and unfinished fx as a special feature in the deleted scenes section.
The Japanese widescreen laserdisc features the sequence within the film with finished fx and music, though oddly cropped to show less of the picture image compared to it as seen in the special features section of the blurays and DVDs.
The scene was included in the film when it became available for television syndication from May 1990 to 2000.
Christopher Reeve’s daughter Alexandra Reeve plays Jenny, the little girl swept up by the tornado and rescued by Superman.
The farmhouse seen here is also the Kent farmhouse seen at the beginning of the film when Clark returns to Smallville.
Superfan Tom Soliva reasoned that some theatrical versions contained this scene due to rules for running time minimums in those countries. While not a confirmed fact, it is a possibility.
Filmed in Baldock, Hertfordshire, England. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
October 2, 1986– Day four of principal photography for SUPERMAN IV and filming the football game sequences for the intended finale of the film.
During the press conference at the end of the movie Superman mentions seeing the world the way he sees it, he thinks for a moment before flying off to Jeremy’s school, where he finds him during a football game, they fly off together with Jeremy reporting back that there’s no borders from the sky, it’s just one world.
When the film was heavily edited for theatrical release several scenes were moved around to fit the new narrative. As originally intended Superman catches Lex and Lenny Luthor first, has the press conference, and then this scene was to occur and end the film.
Several shots of various cultures listening to Superman’s speech intercut during the press conference were filmed but also deleted from all theatrical releases.
This sequence can be seen in widescreen with unfinished fx and temporary music on the post-2006 DVD and bluray releases in the deleted scenes section.
Filmed at The Sir Frank Markham Comprehensive School, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
October 16, 1986– Mariel Hemingway as Lacy Warfield photo shoot at Elstree Studios on Stage 6 at Elstree Studios. Note the Luthor’s penthouse backdrop and Gene Hackman’s name on the back of the chair. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
October 16 and 17, 1986– Filming Nuclear Man 2’s first arrival at Luthor’s penthouse for SUPERMAN IV with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Jon Cryer as Lenny Luthor, and Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man 2 on Stage 6 at Elstree Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
October 21, 1986– Filming the nuclear arms dealers at Luthor’s penthouse scenes with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Jon Cryer as Lenny Luthor, Jim Broadbent as Jean Pierre Dubois, William Hootkins as Harry Howler, Stanley Lebor as General Romoff, and Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man 2 on Stage 6 at Elstree Studios.
Although there’s no official confirmation whether it was filmed or not, a scripted line has Nuclear Man 2 replying “Destiny” when Lex asks “what’s to fear?”, which upsets Lex, who reaches for an umbrella and puts the shade on Nuclear Man 2. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
October 23-24, 1986– Filming the Luthor’s penthouse balcony scenes for SUPERMAN IV with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Christopher Reeve as Superman, Jon Cryer as Lenny Luthor, and Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man 2 on Stage 6 at Elstree Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
October 28, 1986– Filming the Nuclear Man 2 waking and seeing the newspaper with Lacy Warfield on the cover and burning up Lex’s pile of cash for SUPERMAN IV with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Jon Cryer as Lenny Luthor, and Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man 2 on Stage 6 at Elstree Studios. Part of the sequence would be deleted from the theatrical cut. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
October 30, 1986– Filming the Lenny returns with Nuclear Man 1’s ashes scene for SUPERMAN IV with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and Jon Cryer as Lenny Luthor on Stage 6 at Elstree Studios. The sequence would be deleted from the theatrical cut. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
November 1986
November 12, 1986– Filming various Daily Planet scenes for SUPERMAN IV, including a deleted sequence of Lois Lane and Lacy chatting at an outdoor cafe. Also filmed was Lois quitting the paper and Nuclear Man 2 kidnapping Lacy from the Daily Plane with Mariel Hemingway as Lacy Warfield, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Sam Wanamaker as Mr. Warfield, and Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man 2. Filmed at the Avebury Building in Milton Keynes, Hertfordshire, England. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
November 19-21, 1986– Filming the double date sequences for SUPERMAN IV with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Superman, Mariel Hemingway as Lacy Warfield, and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane on Stage 6 at the Elstree Studios. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
November 21-24, 1986– Filming the Nuclear Man 1 and Superman street battle for SUPERMAN IV with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Clive Mantle as Nuclear Man 1 on the Elstree Studios backlot.
This sequence would be cut from all releases of the film. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
November 24-26, 1986– Filming the Metro Club interior sequences for SUPERMAN IV with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent, Mariel Hemingway as Lacy Warfield, and Clive Mantle as Nuclear Man 1 at the Hippodrome Nightclub in London, England.
This sequence would be cut from all releases of the film. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
December 1986
December 2, 1986– Entertainment Tonight features a segment on the making of SUPERMAN IV, featuring interviews with Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, and Mark Pillow.
December 4, 1986– Filming the SUPERMAN IV Clark’s apartment sequences for the lovers flight sequence with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Superman, and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane on Stage 10 at Elstree Studios.
December 5, 1986– Filming Lois visiting a sick Clark at his apartment and the Green Crystal healing sequences on the terrace for SUPERMAN with Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane on Stage 10 at Elstree Studios.
A longer sequence of a sickly Clark stubbling around his apartment was filmed but cut from all released versions.
The post-2006 DVD and bluray releases contain the sequence in widescreen with temporary music and unfinished fx as a special feature in the deleted scenes section. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
December 8, 1986– Filming the Boys Town sequences with Christopher Reeve as Superman, Jon Cryer as Lenny Luthor, and Mark Caven as the Priest on the Elstree Studios lot. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
December 10-11, 1986– Filming the Nuclear Man 2 and Superman Metropolis street battle on the Elstree Studios lot and the Italian village rescue sequences on Stage 4 with Christopher Reeve as Superman and Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man 2. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
-1987-
January 1987
January 1987– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE returns to premium cable channels after almost five years on ABC and one airing on the CBS network.
January 1987– The Movie Channel premium cable channel airs and exclusive interview with Christopher Reeve to promote airings of the theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE during the month.
This interview was most likely recorded in November or December 1986. At the time of the airing of this interview Reeve was in the middle of filming SUPERMAN IV. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
VIDEO: The Movie Channel exclusive interview with Christopher Reeve.
January 13, 1987– Christopher Reeve as Superman and Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man 2 film the space fight sequences for SUPERMAN IV on Stage 6 at Elstree Studios, England. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
January 19, 1987– The Movie Channel premium cable channel airs the theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE as part of their “Enforcers Week Marathon” at 9pm. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
VIDEO: The Movie Channel “Enforcers Week Marathon” TV spot.
February 1987
February 27, 1987– SUPERGIRL makes its network television world debut as the extended version premieres on Canadian television one day before the U.S. airing on ABC. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
February 28, 1987– SUPERGIRL makes its U.S. network television premiere as the extended version airs on ABC at 9pm.
As done with all the Superman film showings for television, the Salkind’s production company prepared a longer 138 minute version with many theatrically deleted scenes added to air in an intended 3 hour time slot. ABC trimmed roughly 45 minutes from this cut and aired it in a two hour time slot, giving this airing a running time of around 93 minutes without commercials.
The extended TV version would be released as SUPERGIRL THE DIRECTOR’S CUT by Anchor Bay in 2000 and Warner Archive in 2018.
March 1987
Early March 1987– Writers Barry Taff and Kenneth Stoller sue Christopher Reeve, Warner Bros., and Cannon Films for plagiarism of their script to SUPERMAN IV. Stoller and Taff claim they sent their similar based script to Reeve, who in turn stole their ideas for the film.
May 1987
May 1987– Work on the music and sound mix for SUPERMAN IV.
June 1987
Mid June 1987– Warner Bros. pushes SUPERMAN IV’s theatrical release from July 17th to the 24th.
July 1987
July 17, 1987– Christopher Reeve appears on Entertainment Tonight to talk SUPERMAN IV.
July 23, 1987– SUPERMAN IV has it Royal Premiere event to benefit the Variety Club of Great Britain and The Mary Rose Trust. In attendance are Prince Charles and Princess Diana and cast members Margot Kidder, Mariel Hemingway, Damian McLawhorn and Mark Pillow, who arrives dressed as Nuclear Man.
July 24, 1987– SUPERMAN IV opens theatrically in North America and throughout the world.
VIDEO: SUPERMAN IV U.S. theatrical trailer.
August 1987
August 1, 1987– Television guides erroneously list SUPERMAN II as airing on ABC this night, it did not. The programs that actually aired were the sitcom WEBSTER from 8-8:30pm, and the 1979 movie CHAPTER TWO from 8:30-11pm. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
August 3, 1987– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KVVU TV5 in Las Vegas, Nevada, from 9-11:30pm, and again from 1-3:30am the following morning. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
VIDEO: KVVU TV5 TV spot.
August 4, 1987– Margot Kidder appears as a last minute guest on The Late Show With David Letterman on NBC at 12:30am and talks SUPERMAN IV, which was at the time in its third week of theatrical release.
VIDEO: Margot Kidder on The Late Show With David Letterman.
November 1987
November 25, 1987– The U.S. theatrical version of SUPERMAN IV is released in the U.S. on VHS, Betamax, and Spanish subtitled VHS for $89.95. The laserdisc is also made available for $34.98. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
-1988-
January 1988
January 13, 1988– Less than two months since its home video release, SUPERMAN IV enters two weeks of pay per view screenings. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
February 1988
February 7, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WYAH. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
February 14, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KPLR. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
February 15, 1988– SUPERMAN IV is released on VHS and Betamax in the UK. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
February 17, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WXIN. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
February 23, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WPIX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
February 24, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WGN as part of a five day “Men of Steel Week” marathon, featuring the films DEATH WISH 3 (Feb. 23), THE OCTAGON (Feb. 25), THE ENFORCER (Feb. 26), and CAHILL U.S. MARSHALL (Feb. 27).
February 23, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WOFL. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
February 28, 1988– THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN THE MOVIE, THE MAKING OF SUPERMAN II, and the theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE air on KTXA in celebration of Superman’s 50th birthday. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
February 29, 1988– CBS airs the SUPERMAN’S 50TH ANNIVERSAY: A CELEBRATION OF THE MAN OF STEEL television special.
March 1988
March 1, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WFLX. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
April 1988
April 3, 1988– ABC airs for the last time the extended TV version of SUPERMAN II. This airing contains the full scene of Lois and Superman talking and kissing on the glacier after the destruction of the Fortress of Solitude. Previous ABC airings deleted the the talk sequence with an abrupt cut from Superman destroying the Fortress to the couple embracing after the kiss.
VIDEO: ABC intro and teaser.
April 30, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KMSP. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
May 1988
May 3, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WSBK. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
May 10, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WEEV and KSTW. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
May 16, 1988– Part 1 of the 2 part extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WZTV. Part 2 would air the following night. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
May 16, 1988– Part 2 of the 2 part extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WZTV. Part 1 had aired the previous night. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
May 21, 1988– SUPERMAN IV is released on home video in Japan. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
May 23, 1988– Part 1 of the 2 part extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WCOV. Part 2 would air the following night. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
May 24, 1988– Part 2 of the 2 part extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WCOV. Part 1 had aired the previous night. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
May 24, 1988– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KHBK. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
June 1988
June 12,1988– The HBO premium cable channel features a free day with its premiere screening of the theatrical version of SUPERMAN IV as one of the main attractions.
June 25, 1988– SUPERMAN IV airs on the HBO premium cable channel.
June 28, 1988– SUPERMAN IV airs on the HBO premium cable channel.
July 1988
July 1988– SUPERMAN II returns to premium cable channels in the form of the theatrical version after four years airing on ABC as the extended version.
June 18, 1988– Part 1 of the 2 part extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WXIX. Part 2 would air the following night. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
November 1988
November 6, 1988– Part 1 of the 2 part extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KPHO. Part 2 would air the following night. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
November 8, 1988– Part 1 of the 2 part extended TV version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WUAB. Part 2 would air the following night. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
November 22, 1988– The theatrical version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KCOP. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
December 1988
December 29, 1988– SUPERMAN IV airs on HBO.
December 31, 1988– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on ABC for the final time on the network.
VIDEO: ABC teaser.
-1989-
February 1989
February 1, 1989– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE, SUPERMAN II, SUPERMAN III, and SUPERMAN IV are released newly “digitally processed”, and all of them for the first time in hi-fi stereo surround (SUPERMAN II had been previously released only in mono) for the low price of $19.99 each.
SUPERMAN IV had previously been released all spruced up in sound and picture in 1987, and this was that same release. This release would correct the erroneously spelled “MarK McClure” instead of Marc credit on the front cover of the SUPERMAN VHS box that had been present in the previous release. This release would still list him as “MarK” on the back summary of the packaging.
SUPERMAN THE MOVIE, SUPERMAN II, and SUPERMAN III contained a newly created pan and and scan framing.
This was the first pressing where no Betamax videocassettes of the films would be released. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
February 22 and 23, 1989– The extended 2 part version of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WSBK. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
May 1989
May 3, 1989– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WZTV. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
May 7, 1989– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KPTV. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
May 8, 1989– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WACH. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
May 18, 1989– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WNYB. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
May 21, 1989– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KOKH. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
July 1989
July 1, 1989– ABC airs SUPERGIRL for the second time.
July 10, 1989– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on KBHK. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
July 19, 1989– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on WXIN. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
July 31, 1989– Part 1 of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE Extended 2 part TV Version airs on KGSW. Part 2 would air the following night (August 1, 1989). This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
August 1989
August 1, 1989– Part 2 of SUPERMAN THE MOVIE Extended 2 part TV Version airs on KGSW. Part 1 aired the previous night (July 31, 1989). This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
October 1989
October 24, 1989– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WPMT. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
November 1989
November 17, 1989– The extended TV version of SUPERMAN III airs on KTLA. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
November 21, 1989– SUPERMAN THE MOVIE airs on WOFL. This site was the first time this date was posted on a Superman website.
November 23, 1989– After five years of airing as the extended version on ABC, followed by a year run on premium cable channels, CBS acquires the rights to and airs the theatrical version of SUPERMAN II on Thanksgiving night from 8:30-11pm.
This is the first time the theatrical version airs on network TV in the U.S.
Language is altered for network standards, a few scenes are trimmed, and the opening credits and accompanying music are shortened to allow the film to run in the time allotted.
This showing was basically the 1989 digitally processed home video release print.
VIDEO: CBS Special Movie intro and teaser, edited opening credits, and bumpers.
