--- title: "Superman: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/superman/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/superman" critics_score: 61 critics_reviews: 15 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Superman (2025): what the critics said Critics' score 61 from 15 reviews: 9 positive, 2 mixed, 4 negative. The reviews split widely, from outright dismissal to something close to a rave, and most land on the warmer side. The praise clusters on David Corenswet, whose earnest, slightly nerdy Superman several critics call the most likeable since Christopher Reeve, and on his chemistry with Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane. Krypto the dog is mentioned approvingly more often than anyone might expect, and a number of critics welcome the film’s sincerity and its immigrant theme after years of dour DC pictures. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor draws his share of approval. The reservations cluster just as tightly: too many villains and side characters, a plot that keeps stopping to explain itself, and a computer-generated city apocalypse for a finale. The dissent is firm rather than scattered. The Guardian finds it cluttered and soulless, Empire says the tone never coheres, and The New Yorker thinks the hero’s credo shallow. Even the harsher notices tend to spare Corenswet. ## The Independent — Clarisse Loughrey Rating 4/5. 11 July 2025. The critic sees the film as a convincing manifesto for the future of superhero movies and the DC universe, praising its balance of ideological playground and emotional clarity. It singles out the natural, endearing performances—especially Corenswet’s childlike restlessness—and Gunn’s signature silly humour and fondness for creatures like Krypto for praise. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/superman-review-james-gunn-david-corenswet-b2785267.html) ## The Telegraph — Robbie Collin Rating 4/5. 11 July 2025. The critic calls the film a snappily vivacious reboot that is Hollywood’s best hope of beating superhero fatigue. He praises its focus on Superman as a well-meaning everyman navigating moral relativism in the social-media age. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/superman-review-film-james-gunn-david-corenswet/) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 8 July 2025. Gunn’s exuberant reboot channels the spirit of the comics with genuine emotional stakes and layered conflicts that feel like a comic book come to life, though it is frenetic and occasionally exhausting. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/superman-review-james-gunn-david-corenswet-1236444126/) ## Sight and Sound — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 10 July 2025. Gunn's playful take embraces the character's comic-book whimsy and immigrant origins without shame. It singles out the inclusion of Krypto the superdog and satirical jabs at real-world figures for praise. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/superman-james-gunns-superman-isnt-afraid-its-whimsical-comic-book-origins) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 8 July 2025. Gunn puts his stamp on the character with sincerity and quirky humour, resulting in an ambitious but overstuffed film. It singles out Corenswet's likeable, introspective Superman as the most appealing since Reeve. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/superman-review-james-gunn-puts-his-own-stamp-on-the-iconic-man-of-steel/5206505.article) ## Los Angeles Times — Amy Nicholson Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 8 July 2025. The reboot gives the Man of Steel a mind of marshmallow, making him impulsive, obtuse and overwhelmed rather than sincerely earnest. It is entertaining in its pop-punk energy but unsure how to be truly sincere without overdoing it. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2025-07-08/superman-review-james-gunn-david-corenswet-rachel-brosnahan-nicholas-hoult) ## The i Paper — Francesca Steele Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 8 July 2025. The critic calls Corenswet the best Superman since Christopher Reeve for his sweet, nerdy charm and strong chemistry with Brosnahan, but faults the film for muddled plots, too many villains and side characters, and derivative geopolitics that feel nonsensical. It singles out the quiet human moments in Kansas for praise amid the overall confusion. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/superman-film-derivative-nonsense-3794799) ## The New Yorker — Richard Brody Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 10 July 2025. Gunn’s Superman applies a Guardians-style formula that results in a hero whose credo is shallow and broad, with a universe lacking grandeur or wonder and characters who feel thin and constrained. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/07/21/superman-movie-review) ## Empire — Sophie Butcher Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 8 July 2025. The critic finds solid performances and bold visuals that entertain for the first hour, but criticises the lack of context and stakes, clunky writing, CGI chaos in the finale, and an intermittent tone that fails to cohere. It singles out Krypto the dog as a saving grace and notes Corenswet’s admirable take on the role. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/superman-2025/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 8 July 2025. The critic finds James Gunn’s reboot a cluttered, pointless and soulless franchise restarter that fails to justify its own existence. He singles out the wearisome intertitles explaining a contrived new backstory and the inevitable CGI city apocalypse for particular complaint. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jul/08/superman-review-david-corenswet-james-gunn) ## Radio Times — Jeremy Aspinall Rating ★★★☆☆. 9 July 2025. Gunn delivers an entertaining relaunch with a genial Boy Scout Superman and strong chemistry between leads. It singles out nods to the 1978 film and colourful supporting heroes for praise while noting too many underused characters. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/app/superman-review-an-entertaining-relaunch-for-the-last-son-of-krypton/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney 8 July 2025. The critic finds James Gunn's Superman a fun, pacy and enjoyable comic-book adventure with a warm human heart and deep affection for the material. Strong performances from David Corenswet as Superman/Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane are singled out for praise amid some overstuffing in the screenplay. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/superman-review-david-corenswet-rachel-brosnahan-james-gunn-1236305764/) ## The New York Times — Alissa Wilkinson Rating Critic’s Pick. 8 July 2025. Gunn’s charming take on the Superman myth succeeds as a sincere but goofy movie with well-timed twists and added characters that keep things light. The new Superman is believable when he says he just loves people. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/movies/superman-review.html) ## Vulture — Alison Willmore 8 July 2025. The critic calls Gunn's take delightful, praising its mixture of sincerity and irreverence that opens a sunny window after dour DC films. The timely refugee and immigrant themes, along with strong turns from Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, are highlighted. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/review-james-gunns-superman-cant-help-but-be-political.html) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 8 July 2025. The critic calls the film a fabulously smart and entertaining reboot that packs in Superman's wonder, morality and universe while succeeding overall despite trying too hard. David Corenswet's star-making turn as a relatable, optimistic hero is singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/superman-2025-review-james-gunn-david-corenswet/) ## Collider — Ross Bonaime Rating 8/10. 8 July 2025. The critic praises James Gunn's Superman as one of the most optimistic, playful, and fun takes on the character in decades, highlighting its modern relevance through immigrant themes and public perception issues. They single out the lead performances, especially the chemistry between David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, and the fresh perspective on the hero's vulnerabilities. [Read the review](https://collider.com/superman-2025-review-james-gunn-dc-david-corenswet/) ## /Film — Chris Evangelista Rating 8/10. 8 July 2025. The critic praises the film as a charming, silly, fun crowd-pleaser that embraces absurdity and earnestness, highlighting the strong cast and refreshing tone, while noting some script issues like on-the-nose dialogue. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1906722/superman-james-gunn-movie-review/) ## The Ringer — Joshua Rivera Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 15 July 2025. The critic argues that a strong Superman film requires a compelling Lex Luthor, and Gunn's version succeeds by making Nicholas Hoult's Luthor a timely amalgam of tech billionaires and classic villain tropes, using media manipulation and absurdity to reflect real-world power dynamics. They praise how it integrates spectacle with commentary on contemporary villainy. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2025/07/15/dc/superman-movie-lex-luthor-villain-nicholas-hoult) ## NME — Lou Thomas Rating 3/5. 9 July 2025. The review calls it a solid but not spectacular Superman outing that faithfully captures the DC Comics world with textured supporting characters and fun Krypto moments. It notes insufficient humor, a lack of classic charm in the leads, and a busy plot that fails to push boundaries. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/superman-review-james-gunn-dc-david-corenswet-nicholas-hoult-3877201) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Rating 4 out of 5. 8 July 2025. The critic praises the electricity and chemistry between David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan as the film's standout element, evoking classic Superman magic, alongside strong ensemble casting and comic-book worldbuilding. The film is critiqued for feeling cluttered and overstuffed with shared-universe elements that dilute the central Lois-Clark focus. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/superman-review-james-gunn-lost-magic/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/superman.md