Honestly, if you walked through downtown Cleveland in the summer of 2024, you probably felt like you’d accidentally stepped through a portal into a comic book. Yellow taxis with Metropolis plates were everywhere. Road signs pointed toward the suicide slums and the posh districts of a fictional city. For a few wild weeks, James Gunn and a massive crew of hundreds took over the "Land" to shoot the 2025 reboot, simply titled Superman.
It wasn't just a quick stop for some B-roll. Superman filmed in Cleveland for over a month, turning the city’s grit and Beaux-Arts architecture into the definitive version of Clark Kent's home.
The Daily Planet is Actually on Superior Avenue
One of the coolest things about this production was how they used the Leader Building. If you know the corner of Superior Avenue and East 6th Street, you know that 15-story limestone beauty. It’s got that old-school, "truth, justice, and the American way" vibe.
The production team didn't just slap a sign on it. They transformed the exterior into the Daily Planet. They even brought in a giant, iconic globe, though much of the interior "newsroom" chaos was actually captured later in Georgia. Still, seeing David Corenswet’s Clark Kent dashing out of those specific doors? That’s peak Cleveland.
The building actually used to house the Cleveland News and The Cleveland Leader back in the day. It’s like the history of the city was literally built for this role.
Why the Arcade Kiss is a Big Deal
Early trailers for the film showed a romantic, floating clinch between Superman and Lois Lane (played by the fantastic Rachel Brosnahan). If you looked at the ceiling in that shot, you’d recognize it instantly. That’s The Cleveland Arcade.
Opened in 1890, it’s one of the first indoor shopping malls in America. Its glass roof and ornate brass railings provided a backdrop that looks way more expensive than any CGI set ever could. It’s grand. It’s timeless. It’s exactly where you’d expect a god-like alien to fall in love with a human reporter.
Explosions in Public Square
Things got a lot less romantic over at Public Square. This is where the heavy lifting happened.
The crew spent days filming massive action sequences that involved rubble, military vehicles, and high-wire stunts. They even used the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument as a centerpiece for what looks like a city-wide battle.
- Progressive Field: The home of the Guardians was briefly turned into a stadium for the "Metropolis Meteors."
- Detroit-Superior Bridge: Imagine a skyscraper collapsing onto a bridge—that’s what the movie simulates here.
- Cleveland City Hall: This 1916 landmark stood in for the Metropolis version, even featuring a scene where Superman is seen in handcuffs.
James Gunn didn't just pick these spots because they looked cool. He’s been vocal about his love for the city. He basically lived in Cleveland T-shirts for the entire shoot. There’s a certain "Midwest earnestness" that Cleveland has, which matches the tone Gunn is aiming for with David Corenswet’s younger, kinder Superman.
The Economic Reality of the Man of Steel
Movies this big don't just happen because a director likes the view. It’s about the money.
The production, codenamed "Genesis" during filming, received roughly $11 million in tax credits from the state of Ohio. In exchange, they spent a fortune locally. We’re talking about thousands of hotel room nights, catering for a small army, and hiring over 2,500 local background actors.
Even small businesses got a piece of the cape. A dry cleaner in Euclid, Jay Dee Cleaners, was reportedly hired to handle the costumes. They didn't get the actual Superman suit—apparently, that thing is under tighter security than Fort Knox—but they cleaned plenty of other outfits for the cast.
A Return to the Source
There’s a poetic justice to all this. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the kids who actually invented Superman in 1933, did it in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood. They were just two high schoolers dreaming of a hero who could protect the world.
💡 You might also like: Why the Les Misérables Cast One Day More Performance Still Gives Us Chills
For decades, fans have complained that Cleveland hasn't done enough to claim its "Birthplace of Superman" status. This movie changed that. Seeing the character "come home" to the streets where he was first imagined feels right.
Spotting the Scenes Yourself
If you’re planning a "Superman tour" of the city, start at 10622 Kimberly Avenue. That’s the Siegel house. Then head downtown to the Leader Building to see the Daily Planet. Walk through the Arcade to see where the big kiss happened.
Keep an eye out for the Sherwin-Williams Headquarters too. The new skyscraper serves as the backdrop for a dramatic rescue sequence involving a young girl.
The film doesn't just treat Cleveland as a cheap substitute for New York. It treats the city's unique skyline—the Terminal Tower, the PNC Plaza, and the lakefront—as essential parts of the Metropolis identity.
To get the most out of your visit to these filming locations, check out the Greater Cleveland Film Commission website. They often post maps and behind-the-scenes trivia that isn't in the main press releases. If you’re a local, keep your eyes peeled for "Easter eggs" in the background of the film, like the "Wounded Duck" restaurant sign, which is a deep-cut reference to the wider DC Universe.
The next time you see a blue blur over the Terminal Tower on the big screen, you’ll know it’s not just movie magic. It’s a bit of Cleveland history.