
Released in the U.S. on July 11, 2025, Superman marks the launch of DC Studios’ Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, with James Gunn steering the reboot as writer‑director. Taken from pre‑established comics like All‑Star Superman, this film skips a traditional origin story and drops viewers right into Clark Kent’s evolving moral journey. Critics praised its emotional clarity and the dynamic world-building that centers Superman as both alien and humanitarian.
David Corenswet portrays Clark Kent as a more emotionally complex Superman—young, empathetic, relatable, living with visible flaws, including occasional bursts of anger to show his humanity.
Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane brings wit and grounded chemistry to her scenes with Superman, though some critics felt her arc could have been deeper.
Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor stands out as one of the most compelling versions of the villain to date, praised by fans and figures like George R.R. Martin.
Supporting cast highlights include Edi Gathegi as a charismatic Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, and Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl—each adding flair despite limited screen time.
Gunn intentionally faced criticism for perceived “woke” messaging by emphasizing that Superman is fundamentally a story of kindness and moral conviction in a cynical world. Rather than ideology, the film promotes compassion, treating immigration as a core element of Superman’s identity.
Its tone is colorful, optimistic, and steeped in comic-book energy—popping with quirkiness like robot butlers and Krypto the super dog, while still addressing real themes like identity, ethics, and political manipulation.
Rotten Tomatoes: 83% fresh (based on 457 reviews); Metacritic: 68/100.
Reviewers praised its emotional core and visual flair. Den of Geek said the movie “achieves true grace whenever it narrows its focus to Lois and Clark.” Some outlets, like Variety, critiqued its heavy exposition and tonal inconsistency Den of Geek.
On Reddit a fan noted:
“the humor was good… it never undercut the tension and it wasn’t at a character’s expense”.
Budget: $225 M.
Global gross: $502.7 M by July 25, 2025, putting it among the top superhero films of the year.
Opening weekend: ~$125 M domestic, ~$217 M globally—one of 2025’s strongest debuts despite mixed overseas reception EW.com.
By Day 17, global revenue surpassed ₹ 3600 crore (~$440 M USD) .
A flawed Superman: Emotional vulnerability and moral ambiguity feel fresh.
Strong chemistry: Clark and Lois spark both humor and heart.
Fresh aesthetic: Bright visuals, quirky supporting characters, and modern themes make it buzzworthy.
DCU momentum: Viewers see hope for a coherent, emotionally grounded franchise beginning with this film.
Industry voices like GQ and David S. Goyer—writer of Man of Steel—suggest giving Superman a solo sequel focused on character rather than universe expansion. Gunn’s film is seen as a bridge, but voices call for deeper character exploration ahead of multi-pronged ensemble projects .