James Gunn‘s DC Universe reboot, Superman, is being positioned by Warner Bros. for serious awards consideration as the 2025 Golden Globes approach. Submitting the film in key drama categories, the studio signals its intention to elevate this rendition of the iconic superhero beyond mere blockbuster entertainment.
Warner Bros. has entered Superman for Best Motion Picture (Drama) and lodged acting submissions for David Corenswet (Best Actor, Drama), Rachel Brosnahan (Supporting Actress), and Nicholas Hoult (Supporting Actor). Gunn himself is considered for directing and screenplay awards. Additionally, the film received a nomination for Original Song with The Mighty Crabjoy’s Theme, co-written by Gunn alongside Eric Nally and Devin Williams. On the commercial front, the movie‘s strong box office performance qualifies it for Outstanding Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, a category recognizing films grossing over $150 million globally. Presently, Superman ranks as the third-highest domestic grosser of 2025, trailing only Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and Warner Bros.’ A Minecraft Movie.
James Gunn’s Vision Elevates Superman with Dramatic Themes
The submission of Superman in drama categories highlights Gunn’s effort to portray the Man of Steel in a more nuanced light. Straying from the traditional superhero fare often associated with action and spectacle, this film explores heavy themes related to identity and belonging through the character of Clark Kent. Critics and audiences alike have engaged in extensive discussions on how the story balances Superman’s alien origins with his human emotions.
Within the film’s narrative, the conflict between Boravia, a fictional Eastern European ally of the U.S., and the impoverished nation of Jarhanpur offers a political backdrop that many social media users have interpreted as an allegory to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Despite these parallels being widely noted, Warner Bros. has refrained from commenting officially on any geopolitical subtext embedded in the storyline.
Industry Buzz Builds for Oscars and Technical Nominations
Beyond Golden Globe prospects, Superman is generating early buzz for the Academy Awards, particularly in technical categories. Members of the Academy’s artisan branches point to the film’s visual effects, led by Stephane Ceretti, Enrico Damm, Stéphane Nazé, and Guy Williams, as strong contenders. However, the film faces stiff competition from the highly anticipated Avatar: Fire and Ash.
The movie’s sound team, including Lee Orloff, David Acord, Katy Wood, Chris Boyes, and Tim Leblanc, has drawn positive attention for their work, adding momentum to possible nominations in sound categories. The makeup and hairstyling department, handled by Alexei Dmitirew, Peter Swords King, and Shane Mahan, is also recognized as a potential contender in Oscar circles.
One notable exception is the film’s score. Although John Murphy and David Fleming composed a fresh soundtrack, its extensive use of motifs from John Williams’ celebrated 1978 Superman theme disqualifies it from original score eligibility, citing the Academy’s rules that require at least 35% originality in the composition.
Past DC Successes Offer a Model for Gunn’s Aspirations
DC Comics-based films have a history of Golden Globe and Oscar triumphs that could inspire confidence in this new project. Todd Phillips’ 2019 release, Joker, won both Best Actor for Joaquin Phoenix and Best Original Score at the Globes, achievements that carried over into Oscar victories. James Gunn is also no stranger to awards recognition; his Guardians of the Galaxy series has previously earned nominations in multiple categories, such as visual effects and makeup.
Specifically, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2024) received a nomination for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement from the Golden Globes and secured an Oscar nomination for visual effects. Earlier installments, including the 2014 original and its 2017 sequel, also garnered Academy nods for technical categories, highlighting Gunn’s growing reputation within industry award circuits.
Upcoming Golden Globe Announcement and Broader Awards Landscape
The official Golden Globe nominations for 2025 will be announced on December 8. Meanwhile, early projections indicate substantial competition across categories, with films like One Battle After Another, Sinners, and Hamnet leading for film nominations, and TV series such as Adolescence, Severance, and The Pitt dominating television categories.
Warner Bros. currently tops the list for projected Golden Globe film studio nominations with 20 potential nods, while Netflix and HBO Max are expected to dominate TV-related categories. This environment frames Superman within a crowded and fiercely contested awards field.
Detailed Golden Globe Contenders Across Film and Television
Among candidates vying for Best Picture in the Drama category are Avatar: Fire and Ash (20th Century Studios), Frankenstein (Netflix), and Hamnet (Focus Features) alongside notable titles like Sinners (Warner Bros.) and It Was Just an Accident (Neon). Hollywood’s major studios are also positioning entries across comedy, music, screenplay, directing, and acting categories.
In acting, contenders include Colin Farrell for the Netflix film Ballad of a Small Player, Oscar Isaac’s role in Frankenstein, and Dwayne Johnson starring in The Smashing Machine. Jeremy Allen White is another favorite for his performance in Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere.
Among actresses, Jessie Buckley is nominated for Hamnet, Laura Dern for Is This Thing On?, and Jennifer Lawrence for Die My Love. In the comedy or musical acting category, Leo DiCaprio’s role in One Battle After Another and Kate Hudson in Song Sung Blue stand out.
The Musical and Technical Fields See High Competition
The Original Song category is competitive, featuring entries like Miley Cyrus, Mark Ronson, and Andrew Wyatt’s piece from Avatar: Fire and Ash, John Mayer, Ed Sheeran, and Blake Slatkin’s contribution for F1, and Ludwig Göransson and Raphael Saadiq’s song from Sinners. The Original Score field similarly has respected composers such as Alexandre Desplat and Max Richter in the running.
Animation and international films are also well-represented, with titles such as Elio (Pixar) and Little Amélie or the Character of Rain (GKids) competing for Animated Feature honors. The Non-English Language Film category includes acclaimed entries from France, South Korea, Brazil, and Norway.
Television Series and Performers Set for Stiff Awards Competition
The Emmy buzz continues into the Golden Globes, where TV drama contenders include Andor (Disney+), The Lowdown (FX), and Severance (Apple TV). Comedy series such as Abbott Elementary (ABC) and Wednesday (Netflix) are notable competitors in their genre.
Performance categories feature a wide array of talent. For TV Drama, actors like Michael C. Hall for Dexter: Resurrection and Ethan Hawke for The Lowdown are prominent names. In comedy, Martin Short’s role in Only Murders in the Building is a frontrunner. TV Limited Series and Movies also highlight diverse candidates, from Patricia Arquette in Murdaugh: Death in the Family to Brian Tyree Henry in Dope Thief.
Broader Industry Influence and Recognition Outlook
The inclusion of Superman in the competitive Golden Globe mix underlines Warner Bros.’ confidence in the film’s capacity to resonate beyond its blockbuster status. James Gunn’s distinctive approach, pairing superhero mythology with thought-provoking political and human themes, may pave the way for further award recognition and redefine the character’s cultural standing.
With official nominations forthcoming, the awards season will test the film’s staying power amid a landscape filled with critically acclaimed projects. For Gunn and his team, the journey through these prestigious categories could establish Superman not only as a commercial success but as a meaningful dramatic work within the DC Universe canon.
