James Gunn’s Superman DCU reboot has quickly gained critical recognition following its release on July 8, marking a significant turning point for the DC Universe under Gunn’s leadership. The film introduced David Corenswet as the new Superman, showcasing a fresh, compelling interpretation of the iconic hero.
Strong Critical Consensus Highlights a Modern Take on a Legendary Hero
Departing from the tone of the former DCEU, the latest Man of Steel film has garnered appreciable momentum by revisiting the essence of Superman in a way that resonates with contemporary audiences, while respecting the character’s hopeful legacy. The movie’s plot, praised for its faithfulness to the comics, delivers an authentic narrative that celebrates the spirit of the Last Son of Krypton.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie secured an 85% “certified fresh” rating across 154 critic reviews, representing the highest rating for a DC movie since Gunn’s 2021 The Suicide Squad, which scored 90%. This reception places the Superman reboot prominently within the DC slate and raises expectations for the ongoing DC Universe series of films.
Performance Compared to Marvel and Past DC Adaptations
Released in 2025, Gunn’s Superman faces off alongside Marvel’s Thunderbolts, which despite being a commercial setback, still attracted moderate critical response. Thunderbolts holds an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 67, close to Superman’s Metascore of 70. This comparison underscores the competitive landscape between the Marvel and DC franchises amid shifting audience interests.
Gunn’s expertise in managing the balance between visual effects and character depth, seen previously in Guardians of the Galaxy series with ratings ranging from 82% to 92%, continues to bolster the film’s success. His earlier works such as Slither also received solid acclaim with an 87% rating, highlighting his consistency in delivering engaging genre films. Conversely, the unrelated movie Super remains an outlier with a 50% score.
In a significant achievement, this reboot has surpassed the reception of Zack Snyder and Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel, which holds only a 57% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Incorporating other earlier DC films into the equation, such as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice with a 28% rating, further emphasizes the improved reception for Gunn’s DCU effort.
Revisiting Classic Superman Touchstones
The new Superman installment also draws comparisons to Richard Donner’s 1978 original Superman film starring Christopher Reeve, which is revered for its portrayal of hope and strength. Gunn’s film closely trails the original’s 86% rating, along with the 88% and 87% scores of the theatrical and Donner cuts of Superman II respectively, signaling a return to the character’s foundational qualities.
“James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ is a loopy, emotional reboot that reimagines the Man of Steel as vulnerable and humane. David Corenswet shines, Nicholas Hoult’s Luthor is chilling, and the film’s chaos is both its strength and its weakness.”
—Variety
Critical Perspectives Reflect Mixed Reactions While Praising New Direction
Although the reboot has been widely praised, some critics note challenges with the film’s emotional cohesion. The UK publication Empire highlighted shortcomings, emphasizing a
“lack of humanity, originality and cohesion”
which they said
“means the movie just doesn’t work.”
“A lack of humanity, originality and cohesion means the movie just doesn’t work.”
—Empire
Despite such critiques, the overall sentiment leans positive, indicating that Gunn’s version brings a fresh, humane perspective to the Man of Steel, with compelling performances by David Corenswet and a notably chilling Lex Luthor by Nicholas Hoult.
Box Office Outlook and Industry Impact
While precise box office results remain uncertain, industry reports forecast a strong domestic opening weekend gross between $130 million and $175 million. The film’s favorable critical appraisal is expected to influence its performance, potentially pushing earnings toward the higher end of this estimate.
Superman’s release comes at a time when Marvel has struggled to maintain prior momentum, creating an opening for DC and other franchises to attract more viewers. Its positive reception relative to recent films like Jurassic World: Rebirth, which holds only 52% on Rotten Tomatoes, indicates that quality storytelling may regain precedence over franchise loyalty.
What This Means for the Future of the DC Universe
James Gunn’s Superman DCU reboot represents a pivotal shift in DC’s cinematic strategy, striving to balance faithful comic book adaptation with modern emotional depth. By surpassing previous entries in the franchise, the film sets a new standard for upcoming DC projects and could redefine audience expectations for superhero narratives.
The film’s success or failure at the box office will likely shape the trajectory of the DC Universe, signaling whether Gunn’s vision can sustain long-term interest in the franchise and expand its cultural footprint alongside competitors in the superhero genre.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic home, and he has shared that prayer still matters to him. However, he also described himself as “in some ways, against religion.”
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving Marvel?
A. When Gunn took on the role of co-CEO at DC Studios, he stopped working on Marvel Studios projects.
It’s well-known that he developed strong connections with the actors from the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy.
Q. What religion is James Gunn?
A. He grew up in a Catholic family in Manchester, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri.
He has five siblings: Sean and Matt, who are actors, Brian, who is a screenwriter, and Patrick and Beth.
Gunn’s family has Irish roots, with his father coming from an Irish immigrant family.
