We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you ... you're just helping re-supply our family's travel fund.
Cleveland takes center stage in James Gunn’s new Superman movie, doubling as the legendary Metropolis. While the film promises thrilling action and emotional depth, it also shines a cinematic spotlight on some of Cleveland’s most iconic landmarks. Locals will have extra fun scanning scenes to spot familiar backdrops. From dramatic battles to intimate moments, these real-world locations help bring the world of Clark Kent to life. Here are eight must-watch Cleveland landmarks that make an appearance in the superhero spectacle.
1. The Leader Building (Daily Planet)
Cleveland’s historic Leader Building stands in for the Daily Planet, Clark Kent’s journalistic home base. Located on Superior Avenue, this former newspaper headquarters adds credibility and charm as the heart of Metropolis reporting. An early scene shows Clark entering the office after a complicated evening with Lois Lane. The building’s real-life newspaper history echoes its role in the Superman universe, making it a clever and meaningful cinematic choice.
2. Public Square
Public Square plays a pivotal role in the film’s action sequences, including a kaiju battle that unfolds across its historic grounds. With the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at its center, the 10-acre park becomes a battleground worthy of the Man of Steel. Gunn captures its symmetry and energy from dramatic angles, immersing viewers in both the grandeur of the setting and the stakes of the conflict. It’s a clear nod to Cleveland’s civic heart.
3. Key Tower
The state’s tallest skyscraper, Key Tower, is more than just a pretty skyline. It becomes an emotional refuge for Superman during one of the film’s most intense scenes. After a Lex Luthor smear campaign turns public sentiment against him, Superman retreats to the tower to process a painful truth about his past. The vast atrium and soaring height emphasize his inner turmoil and isolation, making this scene a standout moment in the film.
4. Headlands Beach State Park
This Lake County beach provides a peaceful yet urgent setting as Lois Lane and Mr. Terrific try to locate a captured Superman. Shot at Headlands Beach State Park, the scene contrasts the beauty of nature with the rising tension of Superman’s detainment. Known as a summer haven for locals, the beach adds visual contrast and emotional resonance, proving that even superheroes can’t escape the tides of fate.
5. Terminal Tower
The Terminal Tower, one of Cleveland’s most iconic structures, features in Hawkgirl’s grand entrance. Played by Cleveland native Isabela Merced, Hawkgirl descends dramatically from the sky with the landmark’s spire in full view. It’s a cinematic moment of pride, power, and personal significance for the actress—and a visual feast for the audience. The shot showcases both Merced’s heroism and Cleveland’s architectural beauty in one unforgettable frame.
6. Progressive Field
Even superheroes need a ballpark showdown, and Progressive Field fits the bill. Known as the home of the Cleveland Guardians, the stadium becomes a battleground when villains clash with Superman in a dramatic set piece. The field, usually filled with fans and baseball dreams, turns into a war zone where The Engineer and Ultraman square off in a chaotic, high-stakes fight that shatters expectations (and turf).
7. PNC Center
The PNC Center near East 9th Street is the site of Superman’s humbling defeat. For a character often seen as invincible, this moment grounds him and adds dramatic tension. Here, the “Hammer of Boravia” delivers a punishing blow that shakes even the Man of Steel. The location’s corporate setting makes the fall from grace all the more poignant, signaling vulnerability in a world that rarely sees Superman down.
8. The Arcade (Romantic Scene)
No Superman movie is complete without romance, and Gunn delivers a touching moment inside The Arcade. Built in 1890 and located on Euclid Avenue, the ornate space with its glass cathedral ceiling becomes the backdrop for an intimate scene between Superman and Lois Lane. As sunlight floods the atrium, Superman lifts Lois gently, evoking echoes of classic Superman films. It’s a poetic scene that honors Cleveland’s beauty and the couple’s enduring bond.