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The first wave of reviews for Superman (2025) suggests a major win for the DC Universe, with critics largely praising James Gunn’s reboot of the iconic superhero. The film debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with a strong 91% rating based on 55 reviews, earning it the coveted “Certified Fresh” status. Although the score later dipped to 85% after more than 150 reviews came in, it still remains one of the highest-rated Superman films to date. This marks a sharp contrast to earlier portrayals such as Man of Steel at 57%, Superman Returns at 72%, and Batman v Superman at just 28%.
The praise appears to center around Gunn’s ability to reframe the Superman mythos through a more hopeful lens, steering away from Zack Snyder’s darker vision. Reviewers highlighted David Corenswet’s performance as Clark Kent, calling it both grounded and charismatic. Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane reportedly brings intelligence and charm, while Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal of Lex Luthor adds a calculating and modern edge to the villain. Critics have noted the film’s ability to balance emotional storytelling with the grand spectacle expected from a superhero blockbuster.
While the film has not managed to surpass certain classics like Richard Donner’s 1978 Superman, which still holds a slightly higher score of 86%, or James Gunn’s own Guardians of the Galaxy at 92%, it has placed itself well above most recent DC entries. Films like The Batman and Batman Begins also share the same 85% score, showing that Gunn’s Superman holds its ground among the more respected entries in the genre.
The movie’s positive reception is being seen as a potential turning point for DC Studios, which has struggled to maintain consistency in both tone and critical acclaim over the years. With the official release scheduled for July 11, 2025, the strong early reviews are raising expectations for its box office performance and future within the restructured DC cinematic universe.