The first wave of reviews for James Gunn’s much-anticipated Superman reboot is in—and the consensus suggests the film might just breathe new life into the superhero genre.
Critics are widely praising both the film’s tone and its lead, David Corenswet, who is being lauded as the most compelling Superman since the late Christopher Reeve.
With a strong 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 147 reviews, Superman is being seen as a fun, emotionally grounded, and visually engaging reimagining of the iconic hero. The critics’ consensus describes it as a film that balances heart and spectacle, grounding the Man of Tomorrow in contemporary sensibilities.
Amy Nicholson of the Los Angeles Times commends Gunn for finding a fresh tone—not too serious, yet not overly sweet—describing Corenswet’s Superman as “a little stupid,” in a way that smartly mirrors modern disillusionment. The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey says the film makes viewers “believe in superhero movies again,” praising Gunn’s authorial stamp and restraint, especially with its nostalgic use of the 1978 John Williams theme.
David Corenswet’s portrayal is drawing particular admiration. Odie Henderson of the Boston Globe writes that Superman hasn’t exuded this much personality since Reeve, calling Corenswet “the best Superman” since the legendary actor. Ann Hornaday of the Washington Post echoes the sentiment, applauding the chemistry between Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), and Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor), who together form a cast poised to carry the franchise forward.
However, not all reviews are glowing. Kevin Maher of The Times argues the film feels outdated, likening it to a throwback to early 2010s superhero filmmaking. Daily Beast critic Nick Schager goes further, branding the film as a “final nail in the superhero coffin,” citing excessive CGI and Corenswet’s relatively light presence when compared to Reeve and Henry Cavill.
Despite the divided opinions, Superman is undeniably stirring conversation. Set to release globally on July 11, the film stars David Corenswet in the titular role, with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Whether audiences crown it a new classic or a divisive detour, James Gunn’s Superman is already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about superhero films in recent memory.
