10 Movie and TV Show Characters Who Are Basically Superman

The Big Blue Boy Scout has inspired and influenced a lot of characters over the years.

Superman is a prolific character, going from the comics to radio shows, theoretical cartoons, films, theatrical shows, novels, television shows, and video games. For many, Superman is what first comes to mind when they think of a superhero. Naturally, the Big Blue Boy Scout has inspired a lot of characters in film and television.

Some are similar superhero characters, while others take inspiration from his backstory or powers. Some even get a Clark Kent-inspired alter-ego. Many are outright parodies of Superman, with some being a deconstruction of the superhero genre. Although Superman is usually a good guy, some of his analogues might prefer the dark side. Some even have their own versions of Superman's supporting characters, like a Lois Lane-inspired love interest.

Disney's take on the classic Greco-Roman hero, Hercules, has often been compared more to an adaptation of Superman than the classical Greek hero. Unlike his mythical counterpart, who is born to Zeus and a mortal woman, Hercules is born on Olympus as the son of Zeus and Hera, traditionally his stepmother and nemesis in antiquity. Through the machinations of Hades, the god of the underworld, Hercules is made mortal and sent to Earth, where he is adopted by a farming couple. Hercules then aspires to become a true hero in the hopes of returning to his true home.

Hercules is still able to converse with his father Zeus through a temple statue, much like Superman being able to interact with his father Jor-El's hologram in his fortress. There have even been a few comparisons between Lois Lane and Hercules' love interest Megara, with both having snarky attitudes and a fondness for purple, right down to violet eyes.

My Hero is a British sitcom revolving around an alien superhero, Thermoman, as he falls in love with a British nurse and tries to adjust to life on Earth. Effectively, the series has been compared to Mork & Mindy, if the former was a superhero. Though much like Clark Kent, Thermoman is universally beloved, but most people think nothing of his alter-ego, George Sunday, later becoming George Monday after switching actors. That said, George's love interest, Janet, is one of the few people who know his secret. Notably, Thermoman dons a helmet as part of his costume, making it a bit more reasonable that characters don't necessarily recognize George compared to Kent and his glasses.

Much humor is derived from the fact that Thermoman may look human, but is quite alien on the inside, like literally turning green with envy. Thermoman also shares some of Superman's abilities, like an immunity to bullets. Interestingly, Superman apparently exists in the series, but appears to be from Thermoman's home planet, Ultron.

Mighty Mouse is an animated cartoon character meant as a parody of Superman. In fact, the super-powered rodent was originally called "Super Mouse." Originating in theatrical cartoons, the character later spun off into his own television series and comic books. Mighty Mouse's powers vary depending on the version, but are usually similar to Superman's, like flight and super-strength. In some versions, Mighty Mouse starts as an ordinary mouse who gains superpowers. Other stories imply he's some sort of heavenly agent, descending from the clouds to fight evil. One of the later versions, Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures, gives him a civilian alter-ego: Mike Mouse.

Notably, Mighty Mouse has been cited as an inspiration for the popular anime hero, Astro Boy, also known as Mighty Atom. This, in turn, indirectly makes Superman a sort of "grandfather" to the famous anime character.

RELATED: Every Live-Action Superman Costume Design, Ranked Worst to Best

Drawn Together is an animated adult comedy where cartoon characters from various genres, from storybook princesses to mystery-solving musicians, live together in a reality show parody. The show's answer to superhero cartoons is Captain Hero, a Superman parody. Being an adult comedy, Hero is a vice-driven man-child and most of the superhero tropes are used for parody. For example, Hero has a "friend," a reporter named Tim, who is basically him, complete with costume, wearing glasses. Somehow, by the end of the series, they turn out to be completely separate people. Hero generally isn't much of a hero, with "Save yourselves!" being his catchphrase, in addition to loudly screaming, "No!"

Most of the other superheroes in the series are also parodies, but some of the Marvel and DC characters make cameos, such as the time Hero made a joke about Batman's dead parents at a cocktail party, only to bump into him and Robin. Apparently, the Superman movies also exist in the series. They get name-dropped when Hero once used his speed powers to reverse time.

Megamind is an animated film that takes the perspective of the titular supervillain. Naturally, Megamind is contrasted with a more classical superhero, Metro Man. Interestingly, both were sent to Earth from dying planets as babies. Metro Man was actually a bully in his youth and is somewhat to blame for driving Megamind to villainy. As an adult, Metro Man has become the classic superhero adored by the public.

However, fame and status did not make him happy. Claiming to have a weakness to copper, in a nod to Superman and kryptonite, Metro Man faked his death and briefly tried to reinvent himself as a musician, despite having no talent for it. Reporter Roxanne Ritchi serves as his Lois Lane of sorts, except the two were never an actual couple. By the end, Roxanne actually ends up with Megamind.

Hancock is a film deconstructing the superhero genre. Will Smith stars as the title character, an alcoholic superhero who generally saves the day by causing massive damage. In general, Hancock isn't as nice as Superman, as seen in the infamous scene where he shoves an inmate's head up another's rectum. Because of this, Hancock is not so popular with the public at large. Of course, with his great powers, there isn't much anyone can go against him.

When Hancock saves the life of a marketing executive, a plan is concocted to reinvent Hancock as a more traditional superhero. However, Hancock's story is more complex than it first appears. Hancock isn't merely invulnerable, but immortal. If he were to end up with his soulmate, he will lose his powers, effectively become human, and die. His desire to protect humanity keeps him from his true love. It also turns out that, as much as the public resents Hancock, they may soon miss him when he's gone.

Captain Sunshine is one of the few superheroes in The Venture Bros. universe. Captain Sunshine actually parodies a few different superheroes. Much like Superman, his alter-ego is a journalist. He can also fly and is super strong. While he technically shares Superman's ability to draw power from sunlight, some viewers suspect this is also a reference to Birdman. He's got a series of sidekicks, each called "Wonder Boy," which mirrors Batman's relationship with Robin. In fact, Captain Sunshine shares a voice actor with Batman: Kevin Conroy. His white and rainbow themed costume is also a shout-out to Michael Jackson's Captain EO.

That said, Captain Sunshine has a case of arrested development, and the loss of his sidekicks has not been easy on him, as he's always on the lookout for a new replacement. His lack of social skills also makes people question his exact relationship with his sidekicks. He also apparently coexists with the heroes he's based on, as he was once asked to give a recommendation to Batman. Another twist is that there has been more than one Captain Sunshine, with the current one having inherited the title from his butler, Desmond.

RELATED: Why Superman: Legacy Will Be a Jewish Allegory

In Invincible, Mark's father, Omni-Man, also known as Nolan Grayson, effectively starts out as Superman with a mustache. A caped hero from another planet, Viltrum, Omni-Man has come to Earth to help Earth strive to be its best, in addition to starting a family with a human woman. It's even mentioned that he's a writer, much like Clark Kent.

However, this is all an act, as he's really readying the planet for a Viltrumite occupation by winning the public's trust and weakening the planet's defenses. His true nature comes out in the slaughter of the Guardians of the Globe, his former allies. Compared to the comics, Omni-Man in the series tends to be more openly sadistic and threatening, but is implied to have had some genuine feelings for his wife and son. Unfortunately, his devotion to his home planet is also pretty strong, costing him a happy life on Earth. That said, Nolan also brings to mind Marvel character J. Jonah Jameson, thanks it part to being voiced by J.K. Simmons.

In The Boys, vigilantes fight corrupt superheroes, so naturally, the series would have a dark take on Superman. This role is most evident with Homelander, the leader of the Seven. Considered one of the greatest superheroes alive, he can fly, is super strong, can emit rays from his eyes, and has X-ray vision.

Effectively Superman with a bit of Captain America thrown in, Homelander has a clean-cut, all-American image, but this undercuts his true self. The real Hancock has a manipulative personality, something of a God complex, and is capable of heinous actions. Much like Superman, he's given the backstory of growing up on a farm, but this is all a lie. In truth, he was a human guinea pig raised to be a super-soldier. Interestingly, even his heroic build is also another lie, being a by-product of his costume, and he's actually quite thin underneath. The underlying implication is that someone genetically enhanced with powers wouldn't actually need to gain muscle mass.

Super Grover is Sesame Street's resident superhero. While he's technically Grover's alter-ego, when a civilian identity is wanted for a story, he becomes "Grover Kent," a mild-mannered, bespectacled doorknob salesman. When flying, he's been mistaken for a bird or plane. Often, Super Grover also needs a phone booth to transform, though he sometimes borrows Wonder Woman's spinning technique. Despite the powers that come with it, Grover's costume apparently started out as a Halloween costume. In one episode, he even opened a superhero school on Sesame Street.

The main joke, however, is that whoever Super Grover is about to help usually figures out how to help themselves before Super Grover does anything. Over the years, Super Grover has served as something of a mascot character for the series, often appearing at the end of the opening sequence for a few seasons.