Super classic cartoons

Animated cartoons, classic animated films from the 40s

The Fleischer Superman cartoons are a series of seventeen animated short films released in Technicolor by Paramount Pictures and based upon the comic book character Superman, making them his first animated appearance.

They were originally produced by Fleischer Studios, who completed the initial short and eight further cartoons in 1941 and 1942. Production was assumed in May 1942 by Famous Studios, a successor company to Fleischer, who produced eight more cartoons in 1942 and 1943. Superman was the final animated series initiated by Fleischer Studios, before Famous Studios officially took over production.

Although all entries are in the public domain, ancillary rights such as merchandising contract rights, as well as the original 35mm master elements, are owned today by Warner Bros. Entertainment. Warner and Superman publisher DC Comics have been owned by the same company since 1969.

Fleischer Studios

Nº Title Original release date

1. Superman October 26, 1941

2. The Mechanical Monsters November 28, 1941

3. Billion Dollar Limited January 9, 1942

4. The Arctic Giant February 26, 1942

5. The Bulleteers March 26, 1942

6. The Magnetic Telescope April 24, 1942

7. Electric Earthquake May 15, 1942

8. Volcano June 10, 1942

9. Terror on the Midway August 23, 1942

Famous Studios

Nº Title Original release date

10. Japoteurs September 18, 1942

11. Showdown October 16, 1942

12. Eleventh Hour November 20, 1942

13. Destruction, Inc. December 25, 1942

14. The Mummy Strikes February 19, 1943

15. Jungle Drums March 26, 1943

16. The Underground World May 18, 1943

17. Secret Agent July 30, 1943