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Why was the 1978 Superman film a major success?

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Christopher Reeve as Superman in a blue suit with red cape and yellow belt, flying with one arm forward against a dark background in a publicity still from Superman: The Movie. — Superman Christopher Reeve in *Superman* (1978), directed by Richard Donner.

The 1978 film Superman was a major commercial success, earning more than $300 million worldwide. Its achievement is attributed to several key factors:1

Direction and Cast: The film was helmed by director Richard Donner and featured a prominent cast, including Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, and Marlon Brando as Jor-El.1
Star Performance: Christopher Reeve delivered a star-turning performance as the Man of Steel, which made him a household name and defined the character for a generation.12
Musical Score: The film’s rousing score, composed by John Williams, was highly acclaimed and earned an Academy Award nomination.1

The film’s success established a popular franchise and solidified the portrayal of Superman as a quintessential hero in the pop-culture consciousness.1