Superman (2025): A Kaiju-Sized Hit or Flop for the Film Industry?
Warner Bros.' previous attempts to build a cohesive DC Universe left many fans wondering how such iconic superheroes could be mishandled. Desperate to catch up with Marvel—and eventually Disney—Warner Bros. knew they needed a major win to keep their fanbase engaged. That win is hoped to come with Superman (2025).
Enter James Gunn, director of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy series, who was appointed Co-CEO of the newly formed DC Studios in November 2022. With Gunn now steering the ship, fans were cautiously optimistic, though many remained skeptical given Warner Bros.' track record of studio interference and uneven storytelling.
Superman, a character beloved since his creation in 1938, has always posed challenges in his transition from comic pages to the big screen. Five actors have donned the cape in movies—most famously Christopher Reeve in the late ’70s and ’80s. While many still consider Reeve’s portrayal the gold standard, Gunn’s vision for this new DC Universe had to be both fresh and respectful of the character’s legacy.
Casting David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman was a gamble, but not an unusual one—previous Superman films often favored fresh faces. Corenswet delivers a compelling performance, capturing both Clark Kent’s everyman charm and Superman’s heroic gravitas with ease.
The film begins with an established Superman. The audience learns that “metahumans” (super-powered beings) have existed on Earth for 300 years, Clark arrived 30 years ago, and has been Superman for the past three. So, if you were hoping for the classic origin story with Clark’s crash landing, this isn’t it. Instead, the film immerses us in a world where superheroes already exist, a fresh approach rarely seen on screen.
This backdrop sets the stage for Superman’s archnemesis, Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult. Initially met with skepticism, Hoult’s performance is near-perfect, radiating the deep-seated hatred Lex has for Superman. Every scene he’s in crackles with tension and menace.
Rachel Brosnahan makes a believable and compelling Lois Lane, while Skyler Gisondo shines as Jimmy Olsen, providing much-needed comedic relief that steals several scenes.
Without giving too much away, Gunn introduces several intriguing metahumans, including Guy Gardner (one of the Green Lanterns), who will star in the upcoming HBO Green Lantern series in 2026. Other characters introduced are Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, and Metamorpho. Mister Terrific gets the most screen time, with Gunn doing an excellent job showcasing his abilities, leaving fans eager to learn more. (For those interested, Mister Terrific has a new comic book run titled Mister Terrific: Year One, which began in May.)
Overall, Superman (2025) is a refreshing breath of fresh air for DC. It leaves audiences wanting more and sets high expectations for what’s next. At 2 hours and 9 minutes, some may wish for a longer runtime (myself included), but it serves its purpose well.
Sure, you can nitpick, but this film is easily an 8 out of 10. If you get the chance, definitely see it in IMAX or Dolby Cinema—it’s visually stunning and has a strong replay value. Once word gets out about how good this movie is, theaters might be packed!