Compared to the various movie and TV versions of Gotham, Batman's hometown, Metropolis doesn't have quite as solid of an identity. Frequently characterized by futuristic architecture and an overall sunny disposition, Metropolis is an idealized version of New York City that acts as the daytime reflection to Gotham's broody atmosphere. Going the extra mile to craft a recognizable Metropolis for Superman to inhabit has been key to the character's best versions.

9 The 90’s TV Metropolis Was A Clear California Sound Stage

A forgettable city from an equally forgettable series

An exceedingly 90s version of Superman, the little-known drama series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman came far ahead of the curve of the superhero genre's explosion of popularity. With a shoestring budget, the show sought to modernize Superman's story, taking place in a Metropolis that was obviously a series of pristine sets that felt about as lived-in as a dollhouse. The limited scope of the series even forced the Daily Planet globe, an iconic fixture of the city's skyline, down to ground level as a strange archway that could loom over the shoulder of the titular duo.

8 Christopher Reeve’s Metropolis Was New York With Some Set Dressing

Superman's most iconic movie series had a lukewarm vision for the city

For all the profound impact the Christopher Reeve Superman movies had on the character's popularity and recognition, their depiction of Metropolis wasn't exactly as iconic as the hero who inhabited it. As a global economic powerhouse sitting in the North East, Metropolis' New York City correlations are clear -- But the Reeve films didn't do enough to give the city its own distinct identity. More or less just The Big Apple with a Daily Planet globe slapped on top of the skyline, the Reeve movies' Metropolis doesn't inspire the sense of wonder the famed location should.

7 The DCEU’s Metropolis Is A Boring, Gray City

The franchise's twin cities saw their share of destruction

A cold, dour city whose tone clearly took inspiration from Zack Snyder's other work, the Metropolis introduced in Man of Steel had a few distinctive characteristics. The DCEU leaned in to Gotham and Metropolis being twin cities just across the bay from one another, a sometimes recurring quality from the comics. Though Metropolis may be the more economically privileged of the two, in the DCEU, it mainly serves as a sterile landing zone, a gray ground zero for General Zod's invasion that isn't given too many chances to shine before being nearly razed to its foundations.

6 My Adventures With Superman’s Metropolis Has A Storybook Feel

The animated series lends itself to a dreamy city

My Adventures with Superman made waves as a sunny Superman series with a striking anime-inspired art style and an overall cheerier tone evocative of Clark and Lois' earliest incarnations. The Metropolis inhabited by its characters does a good job bridging the gap between future and past, featuring sleek military robots prowling shipping districts alongside simple bodegas evocative of its NYC influences. However, the city doesn't feel very lived in, the picturesque story-book art presenting a Metropolis that's just a little too clean, with every edge sanded off and polished to a mirror shine.

5 Bryan Singer’s Metropolis Took Things Back To The 30s

Superman Returns incorporated elements of the past and the future

From a distance, Bryan Singer's vision for Metropolis in Superman Returns seemed like just another run-of-the-mill New York City clone, despite most of the filming having taken place in Australia. But on closer inspection, Singer's efforts to interject some of the charm of Superman's origins into his vision for the city become apparent, with glowing art-deco architecture reminiscent of the roaring 20s and 30s. It's a shame that audiences weren't given more time to explore this version of Metropolis, as a result of the cancelation of Singer's planned sequel to Superman Returns.

4 The Arrowverse's Metropolis Leans Further In To The Future

The CW's DC universe took the time to craft a believable Metropolis

Between its 6 appearances in the multi-series-spanning franchise, the Arrowverse's Metropolis got plenty of time to shine. While it had all the typical trappings of a modern-day New York City interpretation, with cozy recreational districts strung with fairy lights co-existing alongside seedy crime-ridden alleys, the Arrowverse also took the time to hone Metropolis' unique architecture, not going overboard with the futuristic feel while still feeling distinctive. Even smaller buildings like Metropolis High School had ultramodern curves that made their location instantly easy to place as within Metropolis' city limits.

3 Smallville’s Metropolis Felt Like A Real Midwest City

The series small change to Metropolis' location made a big impact

Though Smallville obviously focuses much more on its titular city, Clark Kent's true hometown, it still made the occasional forays into Metropolis as the plot demanded, especially in later seasons. Smallville made the startling change to place Metropolis in Kansas rather than New York or Delaware, putting it in easy driving distance of Clark and the gang. The show committed to this effort, taking the time to noticeably alter the feel of Metropolis to be more aligned with a Midwestern urban center nestled within the Great Plains rather than a New England coastal city, giving it a unique identity.

2 Man of Tomorrow’s Metropolis Felt Like A City Of Tomorrow

The Tomorrowverse's premiere locale lives up to its name

First premiering in the animated film Superman: Man of Tomorrow, which would go on to spawn its own animated series, the second major animated version of Metropolis took full advantage of the franchise's trademark artstyle. With a crowded skyline full of daringly-designed skyscrapers on the absolute cutting edge of architecture and characterized by thoughtfully-placed green spaces that break up the monotony of concrete, the Tomorrowverse's Metropolis lives up the title of The City of Tomorrow. If only it didn't have to contend with dangerous villains like Braniac, Parasite, and Solomon Grundy, it would be the perfect place to live.

1 The Animated Series’ Metropolis Was Retrofuture Perfection

Elements of the past and elements of the future were both the DCAU's trademark

As great as other versions of Metropolis' commitment to a futuristic aesthetic is, they can't hold a candle to the gorgeous sunrises and lovingly-rendered scenery of the DC Animated Universe's version of the city. Primarily featured in Superman: The Animated Series, the 90s cartoon took the time to incorporate the present and future into Metropolis' identity, combining the art deco trappings of Superman's past with unbelievable wonders of civic engineering like the Metro Tower and Metropolis Gold Exchange. The DCAU's Metropolis will forever be the standard by which other Superman media are measured in of representing the iconic city.