FILM · OPTIONAL BACKGROUND
Superman III
A separate adaptation of Superman and Lois Lane; useful for comparison, but unrelated to Smallville’s story continuity.
← Back to your watchlist01 02
03
04
OUT NOWPremiered 16 October 2001
What to watch before Smallville
4 titles · 89h 59m to catch up
4Titles
89h 59mRuntime
13wWeeks at 7h/week
How long will it take?
Choose how many hours you can watch each week to estimate your catch-up time.
Opens the planner with this route selected, so you can set your available days and viewing window.Already familiar with this DC world? For a quick refresher, start with Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Superman: The Animated Series.
Recommended route 4 titles · 89h 59m
These earlier stories offer the clearest character and continuity context for Smallville.
FILM · OPTIONAL BACKGROUND
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
A separate adaptation of Superman and Lois Lane; useful for comparison, but unrelated to Smallville’s story continuity.
TV SERIES · OPTIONAL BACKGROUND
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
A separate adaptation of Superman and Lois Lane; useful for comparison, but unrelated to Smallville’s story continuity.
TV SERIES · OPTIONAL BACKGROUND
Superman: The Animated Series
A separate adaptation of Superman and Lois Lane; useful for comparison, but unrelated to Smallville’s story continuity.
THEN WATCH
Explore Smallville →Smallville
Available since 16 October 2001. Open the title page for its synopsis, cast, trailer, and place in the wider DC catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to watch everything before Smallville?
No. This 4 titles route collects useful context, but the labels explain which connections are direct and which are broader background. You can shorten it to suit your familiarity with this continuity.
How long does it take to catch up before Smallville?
The complete route currently takes 89h 59m, or about 12.9 weeks at seven hours per week. Change the weekly figure above for an estimate based on your own pace.
What order should I watch these titles in?
The route follows the catalogue’s suggested story sequence. Direct predecessors come first, followed by earlier continuity context and clearly separated background from other adaptations.
Will this guide change after the release?
The deadline and countdown switch automatically to an out-now catch-up view after the recorded release date. Recommendations can also change when confirmed story information or new catalogue entries establish a clearer connection.
Track your progress
Mark titles as watched, build a schedule around your week, and keep this route together with the rest of your DC journey.
Open DC Watchlist →