The 1941 Superman cartoon series is a landmark set of 17 theatrical Technicolor short films produced by Fleischer Studios and released by Paramount Pictures. Renowned for their fluid rotoscoped animation, realistic shadows, and cinematic lighting, animation historians consistently rank them among the greatest animated shorts ever made. Paramount originally budgeted the first short at a massive $50,000, with later episodes costing around $30,000 each (far more than typical cartoons of the era). Directed primarily by Dave Fleischer and produced by Max Fleischer, the series marked Superman's very first appearance in animation.
Episodes Season Season 1 · 0/17 0/17 watched · 1941
S01E01 Superman (aka The Mad Scientist) 1941-09-26 10m
A mad scientist threatens Metropolis with an "Electrothanasia-Ray". He kidnaps Lois Lane, forcing Superman to punch through the energy beam to save the city. more
S01E02 The Mechanical Monsters 1941-11-28 10m
A criminal mastermind uses a fleet of giant, flying, fire-breathing robots to rob jewelry stores and banks. more
S01E03 Billion Dollar Limited 1942-01-09 10m
A train loaded with a billion dollars in gold bullion is targeted by a heavily armed gang of train robbers. more
S01E04 The Arctic Giant 1942-02-27 8m
A prehistoric Tyrannosaurus Rex preserved in ice is thawed out in a Metropolis museum and goes on a rampage. more
S01E05 The Bulleteers 1942-03-27 8m
Metropolis is terrorized by a gang operating a bullet-shaped, flying ram-vehicle that smashes through buildings. more
S01E06 The Magnetic Telescope 1942-04-24 8m
An astronomer's massive magnet machine accidentally pulls a giant comet out of orbit, sending it hurtling toward Earth. more
S01E07 Electric Earthquake 1942-05-15 8m
A Native American scientist uses underwater electric machines to trigger massive earthquakes under Metropolis to reclaim his people's land. more
S01E08 Volcano 1942-07-10 8m
Clark and Lois travel to a tropical island to cover an active volcano, but it violently erupts, putting a nearby town in peril. more
S01E09 Terror on the Midway 1942-07-17 8m
A giant gorilla escapes captivity at a local circus, causing widespread panic until Superman steps into the ring. more
S01E10 Japoteurs 1942-09-18 9m
Japanese saboteurs hijack a massive, cutting-edge bomber plane during its test flight over Metropolis. more
S01E11 Showdown 1942-10-16 8m
A criminal masquerades as Superman to pull off a string of daring robberies, ruining the Man of Steel's reputation. more
S01E12 Eleventh Hour 1942-11-20 8m
Operating as a saboteur in Yokohama, Japan, Superman dismantles enemy naval ships while Clark Kent is held as a prisoner of war. more
S01E13 Destruction Inc. 1942-12-25 8m
Lois goes undercover at a Metropolis munitions plant to expose a dangerous ring of internal saboteurs. more
S01E14 The Mummy Strikes 1943-02-19 8m
Clark and a scientist investigate a cursed Egyptian tomb, accidentally awakening giant, indestructible mummy guards. more
S01E15 Jungle Drums 1943-04-26 8m
After Lois's plane crashes in a jungle, she is captured by a secret Nazi cult disguised as local tribesmen. more
S01E16 The Underground World 1943-01-15 8m
Lois and a scientist discover a subterranean cavern inhabited by a dangerous race of winged, bird-like humanoids. more
S01E17 Secret Agent 1943-07-30 7m
Lois helps a secret agent transport stolen enemy blueprints, leading to a high-speed car chase and an ambush at a drug store. more 
