Superman (2025)
A review by Shlomoh Sherman
July 14, 2025

Read about Superman 2025 On the Internet Movie Data Base

Superman (2025)
Plot Synopsis: Superman must reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as reporter Clark Kent. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the human way but he soon finds himself in a world that views him as an enemy.
Director: James Gunn
Writers: James Gunn, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster.
Stars: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Caradoc Hoult, Sara Sampaio, Mar a Gabriela de Far a, Mikaela Hoover, Wendell Pierce, Skyler Gisondo, Anthony Carrigan, Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi.
Release date: July 11, 2025 (United States)
Countries of origin: United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
Language: English
Also known as Superman: Legacy
Filming locations: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Production companies: DC Studios, Domain Entertainment, Troll Court Entertainment
Box office:
Budget: $225,000,000 (estimated)
Gross US & Canada: $122,000,000
Opening weekend US & Canada: $122,000,000Jul 13, 2025
Gross worldwide: $217,000,000
See detailed box office info on IMDbPro
Runtime: 2 hours 9 minutes
Sound mix: Dolby, AtmosIMAX, 6-TrackDTS:X12-Track Digital Sound
Awards: 2 nominations - Golden Trailer Awards 2025 Nominee Golden Trailer Award, Best Summer 2025 Blockbuster Trailer, Astra Midseason Movie Awards, 2025 Nominee Astra Midseason Award, Most Anticipated Film
Motion Picture Rating (MPA) - Rated PG-13 for violence, action and language.
Parents Guide: See below

Storyline:
Because Superman has always been one of my favorite superheroes, I could not resist going to see the latest Hollywood film bearing his name. Many things about this moveie impressed me but I must admit that the creators of the film were overly ambitious. The humanity of he story in which Superman chooses to give his affections more to his adoptive parents, the Kents, than to his biolical Kriptonian parents, Jor-El and his wife. is so emotionally satisfying. It appears that his biological parents sent him to earth to become a god, having humans serve him as they would a god. But Superman himself declares that he is as human as anyone on earth and he wants only to serve humanty, not have humanity serve him. His usual adversary, Lex Luthor, has built an enormous corporation whose goal is to create chaos among nations which will make him the real controling master of the planet, the god whom Superman refuses to be. To help him in his struggle against Superman, he finds assistance from various interplanerary monsters. But Superman is also aided by his superheroe buddies, the Green Lantern, Mr. Terrific, and Hawkgirl. While not a superhero in the traditional sense, Lois Lane, who is in love with him, is shown to be a key ally to Superman, playing a vital role in his mission. She is, in fact, the one person who does not turn against him when his Kriptonian parents' villainy is exposed to the people of earth by Lex Luthor. The film is fast moving and filled with color and sound. The fighting scene choreography is excellent. For superheroe fans, it's 2 hours and 9 minutes of excitable fun. If I were the screenwriter, I would have made the story less negative. But I suppose this movie was meant to show Superman at his most human persona, subject to the same vicistudes of life that we all are.

As usual, I include in my movie reviews, an excerpt from at least one reviewer on IMDB. Although there have been many positive reviews, I include excerpts from some whose take on the film is not so positive.

Darrenhwhite
I think at the end of the day, this movie isn't a bad movie at all-it just isn't for me. Superman is a super fast-paced movie, full of heart, that has so much going for it-especially being directed by one of my favorite directors. I just wish I liked the movie more than I do. I can forgive the weirdness because I feel like the movie is honoring the source material (which I haven't really read), but the thing that kinda ruins the movie for me is the pacing. This movie feels so overstuffed. We jump from one scene to the next at breakneck speed, and it's almost hard to keep up with everything. So much happened in the movie that I can't really tell you what actually did happen. I just wish this movie had more time to breathe. Honestly, it felt like James Gunn just threw everything at you nonstop until the runtime was over. I'm fine not seeing an origin story again, but you're thrown into the middle of everything going on, and it's hard not to feel a little lost. And to make up for that, there's so much expositional dialogue that it can be a little disappointing at times.

Alkebratt
Not bad, but too much Marvel. It was too much a goofiness mess. If it would have come 20 years ago, this would have been awesome. Instead it brings us a movie that feels a little tiresome and uncreative. We've been OVERFED with these movies the last 20 years....?? It's more a "Justice Gang" movie (yes, that's what they call themselves here), than a Superman movie. And this Justice "gang" movie reminds me more of Guardians of the galaxy than Justice League. I like the adoption of Krypto (the dog), but it became too much. This felt a little lazy and uncreative. Colors, lighting, angles, CGI, jokes and even music felt like it came directly from Gotg, and in that type of movie it works. Unfortunately Superman made me miss Reeve's Superman more. I like this one for what it is, but I'm also wishing for a new remake.

Serhii_Miroshnyk
A disappointing start to the new DC Universe. Unfortunately James Gunn left me disappointed. The biggest issue is the script. For some reason, the director chose to throw the audience straight into the middle of the action, with almost no background or introduction for the main character. Some might argue that Superman's origin story is no longer necessary, but in my view, it's absolutely essential for a full-fledged reboot. This is David Corenswet's first appearance as Clark Kent, and the film clearly lacks at least 30 minutes of emotional buildup to help us connect with him. Without that foundation, it's hard to truly care about his character. The same goes for the rest of the cast. Lex Luthor lacks a clear motivation: he wants to destroy Superman right from the start, but there's no deeper reasoning behind it. Clark's relationship with his adoptive parents is barely shown - they appear only in a few short scenes. His connection with Lois Lane also feels shallow. There's no real chemistry between them, and their relationship seems to develop entirely off-screen. As a result, it feels more like we're watching the second installment in a franchise rather than the first. Another serious flaw is the overload of secondary heroes. The audience is thrown into a new world packed with characters: Green Lantern, Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, Metamorpho, The Engineer, Ultraman - all of whom show up, but almost none receive meaningful screen time (Mister Terrific is arguably the most developed). They're hard to remember, let alone care about. For the average viewer unfamiliar with the DC Universe, it's genuinely overwhelming. Despite sharing the same flaws, Gunn's latest film is somehow receiving mostly positive reviews. I just don't get it.

Majortrojan_2000
Not a superman movie by a long shot. My take on Superman. It's not a Superman film. Not by a long shot. I mean, he's in it. No doubt about that. But think more live action Justice League unlimited. And the constant circular camera motion. Good grief. All tricks get old eventually. Mr Terrific and Lex were far more relevant than Superman and both were better performances. Hoult is an excellent Luthor. It's a decent movie, had some good touching moments. But Superman shouldn't be an ensemble piece. That's what this is. The overly political hand wringing at the beginning soon vanishes, along with the reasons for it. It's worth watching. But I wouldn't think there's many that'll be watching it agaain at the cinema at least.

KUDOS TO director James Gunn who has done a marvelous job with a difficult and multifaceted project.

KUDOES TO David Corenswet as the man of steel and Clark Kent.Corenswet acknowledged his physical similarity to Superman actor Henry Cavill and said that he also would be interested in playing Superman. I don't remember seeing him in anything before but according to the y'entertainment website, he has appeared on shows like "Hollywood" and "The Politician," plus films like "Pearl." He is the first Jewish actor to portray Superman.

KUDOS TO Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. My friend Linda who accompanied me to the movie informed me that Rachel is the actress who played the aspiring stand-up comic Midge Maisel. I didn't recognize her at all.

KUDOS TO Nicholas Caradoc Hoult,an English actor, who plays Lex Luthor. He has been in many high profile movies including X-Men, Mad Max, Warm Bodies, Renfield, and Nosferatu. Many actors have been graced with the role over the years, including Jesse Eisenberg, Gene Hackman, Jon Cryer, Michael Rosenbaum,
and Kevin Spacey. Hoult holds his own among them.

KUDOS TO Bradley Charles Cooper, one of my favorite actors, as Jor-El, Superman's Kryptonian father. People magazine, named him Sexiest Man Alive in 2011. I especially liked him in AMERICAN HUSTLE and A STAR IS BORN.

KUDOS TO Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jon Kent, Clark Kent's Smallville, Kansas father. I remember him mosstly as Malcolm Rivers, the man with the multiple personalities in IDENTITY.

KUDOS TO Wendell Pierce as Perry White. I think this is the first time that the owner of the Daily Planet has been played by a black actor. *** no, I'm wrong -- Laurence Fishburne played Perry White in MAN OF STEEL

Trivia:
Will Reeve's cameo in the film was first reported in July 2024 by Cleveland's local newspaper, The Plain Dealer, with it being shot during exterior filming that was underway in Cleveland's Public Square. Reeve, the youngest child of former Superman Christopher Reeve, was only three years old when his father was injured in the accident that left him paralyzed. In his appearance in this movie, Will Reeve plays a TV news reporter; in real life, Reeve is a television correspondent for ABC News.
The first Superman film since Superman Returns (2006) to utilize John Williams's main theme from Superman (1978) as the character's main leitmotif in the film's score. James Gunn cited the theme as one of the greatest film scores of all time and associated it with the character of Superman since the beginning of development on this film.

Goofs:
Towards the end, Lex Luthor breaks his forearm. He is later seen wearing a "collar and cuff" sling. Not only is this not helpful for a fractured forearm, he is wearing it incorrectly.
When Superman wakes up after getting carried to the Kent household, Pa Kent tells him he has never seen Clark sleep so long. However, in this scene it is seen that the sun has just risen meaning Clark slept a mere 10-12 hours which surely can't be more than Pa Kent has ever seen.
Superman's fortress is mentioned in the film to be in Antarctica. But in Metropolis, presumably in the northern hemisphere, it appears to be summertime, and at that time of year, it is perpetual night in Antarctica.

Quotes:
Pa Kent: [to Clark] Your choices, your actions, that's what makes you who you are.
Superman: I'm as human as anyone. I love, I get scared. I wake up every morning and despite not knowing what to do, I put one foot in front of the other and I try to make the best choices I can. I screw up all the time, but that is being human. And that's my greatest strength.
Lois Lane: You have a flying saucer, but you couldn't get a faster garage door? Mr. Terrific: I haven't worked on that yet.
Guy Gardner: How do you even know Superman, anyway?
Lois Lane: I... just do.
Guy Gardner: So you know he's Clark Kent.
Vasil Ghurkos: I know you won't kill me! You are too delicate and weak... like Superman!
Hawkgirl: Ha. I'm not like Superman.
[drops him to his death]
Perry White: How long have those two been a thing?
Jimmy Olsen: 3 months

Alternate versions:
In India, the film was censored in order to achieve the U/A 13+ classification. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) asked the studio to delete the foul words wherever they were mouthed. An eight-second shot involving a 'foul gesture' [middle finger] was asked to be removed. It was replaced by a two-second shot. Lastly, the CBFC's members deleted a 'sensual visual' lasting 33 seconds and spread across two scenes [Lois and Sperman kissing].

Soundtracks:
Bring Me Sunshine written by Sylvia Dee and Arthur Kent performed by Sophie Madeleine courtesy of: Wise Music Group
5 Years Time Written by Charles Fink Performed by Noah and the Whale Courtesy of Mercury Records Limited/Interscope Records Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
Punkrocker Written by Iggy Pop, Joakim hlund, Klas Ahlund and Patrik Arve Performed by Teddybears Sthlm and Iggy Pop courtesy of: Atlantic Recording Corp. By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
Iggy Pop appears courtesy of Virgin Records Under license from Universal Music Enterprises Punkrocker (feat. Iggy Pop) Written by Klas Ahlund (as Klas Frans Ahlund), Joakim hlund (as Joakim Frans Ahlund), Patrik Arve (as Patrik Knut Arve) and Iggy Pop Performed by Teddybears Sthlm (as Teddybears) Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp. By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing Iggy Pop appears courtesy of Virgin Records Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
The Mighty Crabjoys Theme Written by James Gunn, Eric Nally, Devin Williams Performed by The Mighty Crabjoys Produced by Eric Nally

PARENTS GUIDE FOR SUPERMAN (2025)
Motion Picture Rating (MPA) - Rated PG-13 for violence, action and language.

Certifications:
Argentina 13 Australia M Austria 12 Belgium 12 Brazil 14 Bulgaria C Canada PGAlbertaPGOntarioGQuebec Colombia 12 Costa Rica TP Czech Republic 12 Denmark 11 Ecuador 12 Egypt 12+ Finland K-12 France Tous publics Germany 12 Greece K-12 Hong Kong IIA Hungary 12 India UA 13+ Indonesia 13+ Ireland 12A Israel ALL Italy T Luxembourg 12 Malta 12A Mexico B Netherlands 12 New Zealand M Norway 12 Peru Apt Philippines PG Portugal M/12 Russia 16+ Saudi Arabia R15 Singapore PG13 South Africa 13 South Korea 12 Spain 12ICAA Sweden 11 Switzerland 12 Taiwan 6+ Thailand 13 Turkey 13A United Kingdom 12A United States PG-13certificate #55435 Ukraine 12 United Arab Emirates PG-15

SEX & NUDITY: MILD
There is a couple of kissing scenes and some cleavages seen with some characters.
Sex workers are seen on the street trying to seduce a character.
There is infrequent innuendo.
A character refers to two people "hooking up".

VIOLENCE & GORE: MODERATE
Moderate fantastical violence involves characters with superpowers, monsters and androids; these feature heavy blows, body slams, the use of bladed weapons, energy blasts, stranglings and the undetailed breaking and dislocation of fingers and limbs.
There are occasional burns and bloody injuries in the aftermath of violence.
Characters are seen with mild blood detail on their faces after fights.
A number of armored villains are sprayed with acid. They scream in agony and claw at their faces, but no gore is shown. (The camera pulls away and they fall out of frame before the viewer sees anything.)
A superpowered metahuman turns his body into bubbling acid and sprays it outward. The camera stays on him in the aftermath, as a head floating away.

PROFANITY: MODERATE
Moderate bad language ('bitch') and an implied use ('dick') features, as well as terms such as 'asshole', shit', 'piss', 'fricking', 'screw', 'jerk', 'damn', 'hell', 'God', 'Jesus' and 'Christ'.
There are also middle finger gestures.
The word "shit" is used at least 15 times, the middle finger is used numerous times and there are many other profanities (eg. Asshole, Jesus Christ, goddamn).

ALCOHOL, DRUGS & SMOKING: MILD
A young superhero is referred to as a party animal who likes to get drunk.

FRIGHTENING & INTENSE SCENES: MODERATE
A fire-breathing creature menace people, who are also endangered by collapsing buildings and rifts ripping up city streets; however, superheroes intervene to save them.
Even though this movie has got some frightening/emotional/disturbing scenes, it's mostly lighthearted.

Superman (2025)
Top cast:
David Corenswet as Superman
Alan Tudyk as Superman Robot
Grace Chan as Superman Robot
Michael Rooker as Superman Robot
Pom Klementieff as Superman Robot
Bradley Cooper as Jor-El
Angela Sarafyan as Lara
Mar a Gabriela de Far a as The Engineer
Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher
Tatiana Piper as Boravian Tech
Stephen Blackehart as Sydney Happersen
Giovannie Cruz as Cheryl Kimble
Bonnie Discepolo as Ms. Jessop
Terence Rosemore as Otis Berg
Natasha Halevi as Amanda Marie McCoy
Paul Kim as Larry Chin
Jonah Lees as Dean Farr
Christian Lees as Desmond Farr

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