Cleveland, ‘The Land’ of Superman

Cleveland becomes Metropolis in the July 2025 release of Superman, with the film showcasing some of the city’s most iconic locations.

Directed by James Gunn, the film stars David Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luther. Cleveland was chosen for its cinematic appeal and to honour its legacy as the birthplace of Superman’s creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

Cleveland Filming Locations

• Public Square, including the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument and surrounding buildings, was transformed into Metropolis’ bustling centre.

• The Leader Building stood in as the exterior of the Daily Planet.

• Key Tower became the headquarters for the fictional Stagg Enterprises.

• The Cleveland Arcade provided a stunning setting for one of the film’s most memorable moments — a romantic kiss between Superman and Lois Lane beneath the historic glass ceiling.

• Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Guardians baseball team, hosted an explosive action sequence.

• Cleveland City Hall transformed into Metropolis’ City Hall.

• Detroit–Superior Bridge is featured in a high-intensity confrontation.

• Ontario Street and the former Cleveland Greyhound Station were part of fast-paced street scenes.

• PNC Plaza offered dynamic urban visuals.

• Terminal Tower appeared in sweeping skyline shots of Metropolis.

• Superior Avenue, temporarily renamed “Concord Street,” was reimagined as a major city thoroughfare.

• Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor, about a 30-minute drive east from downtown, was used to depict a vintage U.S. Army base.

Cleveland's transformation into Metropolis highlights the city's architectural beauty and underscores its significance in Superman history. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, two Cleveland teenagers with a passion for science fiction and comics, created Superman in 1932, which went to become the first of the superheroes ever to see print.

Fans can visit the site of Superman creators’ Cleveland family homes. "This is the house where Superman was born," reads a sign hanging on the fence in front of 10622 Kimberly Ave, where in 1932 18-year-old Jerry Siegel invented the Man of Steel.

The apartment house where Joe Shuster, who illustrated Superman, lived is now a vacant lot, but the fence around it has been hung with 2x3-foot metal panels that reproduce the cover and first 13 pages of Action Comics #1, the first Superman story, which was published on April 18, 1938.

There are still signs throughout the area sharing Superman’s Cleveland origin story. At Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, there’s a display of memorabilia. There’s another display at the Cleveland Public Library, where Siegel and Shuster both drew inspiration. You can also visit the observation deck at the Terminal Tower.

The Siegel and Shuster Society, a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating Superman's creation in Cleveland, is spearheading the planning of Siegel and Shuster Tribute Plaza outside the Huntington Convention Centre of Cleveland. The project will feature a Superman statue designed by a local artist; statues of Siegel, his wife Joanne (upon whom Lois Lane was modelled) and Shuster; and a phone booth famous for the hero's quick costume changes. Click here to read more.

Emily Lauer, Vice President of PR and Communications for Destination Cleveland said, “"We are thrilled that James Gunn brought the latest Superman movie home to Cleveland — the city where the Man of Steel was created through the imaginations of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Cleveland’s rich history, vibrant neighbourhoods and urban scenery make it the perfect setting for an iconic storyline like Superman. We can’t wait for the world to see our city as we continue building Cleveland’s reputation as a destination for creativity, culture and storytelling."

For further information on Cleveland, and to craft your perfect Superman adventure, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.