The James Gunn Superman movie Netflix viewers are discovering is not the one many might expect—instead, Gunn’s earlier take on the Man of Steel’s mythology, called Brightburn, began streaming on Netflix as of December 1, 2025. This dark reimagining offers horror fans and superhero enthusiasts a fresh but unsettling twist on the classic superhero origin, all while the world waits for Gunn’s official Superman film as part of the DC Universe relaunch.
Six years before the upcoming Superman took flight, James Gunn released Brightburn, a film produced alongside his brothers Brian Gunn and Mark Gunn, and directed by David Yarovesky. Unlike the traditional heroic stories surrounding Superman, Brightburn grossed $33 million on a modest $6 million budget and received a 57% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, contrasting Superman’s massive $616 million global box office draw. With its arrival on Netflix, a new audience is discovering this chilling take on what could happen if a super-powered child chose a malevolent path instead of a heroic one.
A Sinister Reimagining of the Superman Mythos
Brightburn is often described as James Gunn’s anti-Superman film, even if it’s not technically set in the DC Universe canon. The movie’s story centers around Brandon Breyer, played by Jackson A. Dunn, who, like Clark Kent, is a child from another world crash-landing on Earth. Raised by loving human parents in a quiet American town, Brandon’s narrative sharply deviates when he reaches adolescence and confronts the darkness growing within him. Rather than becoming a beacon of hope, Brandon uses his uncanny powers for destruction and terror, inverting everything associated with Superman’s moral compass.
The premise of Brightburn draws clear parallels to Superman’s origin—an extraterrestrial child found and nurtured by human parents, learning to harness remarkable abilities. However, unlike Clark Kent, Brandon Breyer is compelled toward violence and cruelty, showing that even in a nurturing environment, destiny can sometimes outweigh environment. The performance of Jackson A. Dunn as Brandon is especially noteworthy, transforming what could be a typical superhero coming-of-age story into something horrifying and unforgettable.
The film does not shy away from mature themes or graphic violence, leveraging its R rating to explore the full consequences of unchecked superhuman power. As Brandon embraces his dark inclinations, the movie delivers brutal and shocking sequences that turn familiar, comforting tropes upside down. Nobody in the film is safe, giving the audience a persistent sense that anyone could become Brandon’s next victim. This approach positions Brightburn as both a powerful slasher and a nightmare vision of what an evil Superman might look like.
James Gunn’s Expanding Superhero Universe
While James Gunn has not returned to the Brightburn universe, last year he commented on Threads about the possibility of a sequel, writing,
it’s unlikely that it will ever happen,
—James Gunn. Despite this, Gunn continues to influence the superhero genre, with his and Peter Safran’s DC Universe introducing a new Superman film in 2025.
Gunn’s vision for superhero cinema continues moving forward. He is now actively developing a follow-up called Man of Tomorrow, which is already scheduled for a theater release on July 9, 2027. With major expectations already building, moviegoers are looking forward to seeing how Gunn’s evolving take on Superman and larger DC icons will reshape the cinematic landscape.
New Additions Arrive on Netflix This December
The addition of Brightburn to Netflix comes amid a busy month for the streamer’s new arrivals. Alongside James Gunn’s horror twist on the Superman archetype, Netflix subscribers can now stream a diverse selection of films that landed on December 1st, such as beloved classics and modern blockbusters. The first three Kung Fu Panda movies, A League of Their Own, Cheaper by the Dozen, Pulp Fiction, and Zero Dark Thirty are all now available.
Netflix will continue to bolster its December lineup with anticipated releases including The Northman on December 3rd, Cast Away debuting on December 7th, and Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery coming on December 12th. For fans interested in superhero movies with a twist, Brightburn stands out as a unique title among these fresh additions.
The Impact of Brightburn and What Lies Ahead
With the arrival of Brightburn on Netflix, James Gunn’s daring exploration of superhero myths is reaching a broader audience just as his work continues to shape the future of comic-based cinema. This film challenges viewers by confronting the darker side of power and questioning what really determines a hero or a villain. Its grisly, emotionally charged narrative compels fans to reconsider familiar characters and themes, redefining expectations for what a Superman-inspired story can deliver.
As anticipation grows for the official reboot of Superman in the DC Universe and for Gunn’s Man of Tomorrow, Brightburn offers a timely and deeply unsettling prelude for those intrigued by alternative takes on iconic superheroes. The Netflix release ensures that the film—and its provocative questions about fate, power, and morality—will spark new discussions as the landscape of superhero films continues to evolve.
