After becoming one of the top grossing movies of 2025, audiences can bring James Gunn’s Superman home on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD. The film has been available to purchase through digital retailers since mid-August.

James Gunn’s Superman launches DC Studios’ revamped cinematic universe and features the first Jewish actor, David Corenswet, to portray Kal-El in live-action. Bringing his signature blend of humor and epic storytelling, Gunn reinvigorates the iconic hero with a film that feels both dynamic and heartfelt, balancing fast-paced action with genuine emotional depth.

There is both a mid-credit and post-credit scene.

I’ve been looking forward to this film for quite some time—not just because of Gunn and Peter Safran taking the helm of DC Studios, but because Kal-El—created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, both Cleveland-based sons of Jewish immigrants—is a character deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. Beyond his name meaning “voice of G-d,” Kal-El’s origin story mirrors that of Moshe, even as his power evokes Samson. It’s no surprise that Superman, like Captain America, fought Nazis in World War II.

As James Gunn put it the other day, “Superman is the story of America. An immigrant that came from other places and populated the country, but for me it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost.” That framing couldn’t be more relevant in today’s climate, where immigrants—including those with no criminal record—are once again being rounded up and sent to detention centers that some are calling American concentration camps. This Superman arrives at just the right time. Superman stands for truth, justice, and the American way. Xenophobia is not the American way.

For many of us, Christopher Reeve will always be our Superman. With the help of John Williams’ iconic theme, he made us believe a man could fly. David Corenswet has some big boots to fill—but he gets the job done. Borrowing from Reeve’s posture while still making the character his own, Corenswet anchors a film that had my full attention from start to finish. I didn’t check my watch once.

Honoring the past while forging its own path, Superman is a thrilling and emotionally rich new beginning for the DC Universe—a triumph for James Gunn, with David Corenswet proving he belongs in the cape.

I’ll have more to say about the film below the photo.

I have to be honest in that I’ve soured on DC films in recent years. It’s not for lack of trying. But once they announced a new DC Universe was starting up, what was the point of getting excited about the remaining films on the old slate? Superman was always going to be the real beginning. They couldn’t have picked a better character, either. Together with Batman and Wonder Woman, he makes up DC’s Trinity—the Big Three. I don’t know if Gal Gadot will return or who will play Batman in this universe, but I’m looking forward to seeing how things develop. DC needed their own Kevin Feige, and Gunn’s film shows a lot of promise.

This version of Clark Kent/Superman (David Corenswet) balances thrilling action with deep compassion and an unwavering faith in humanity’s potential for good. As he becomes entangled in global and domestic crises, his motivations are called into question—especially by Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), a cunning billionaire who sees Superman’s idealism as a weakness to exploit.

At its core, the film is a character-driven story about identity and purpose, following Kal-El as he grapples with being both an alien from Krypton and a man raised in Smallville. While navigating his dual heritage, Superman is supported by determined journalist Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), a band of fellow metahumans known as the Justice Gang, and his loyal dog Krypto. Together, they must face Luthor’s sinister plans, which include Angela Spica/The Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría), and prove that even in a cynical world, hope and kindness still matter.

The Justice Gang—backed by Maxwell Lord’s LordTech—is introduced with the caveat that their name is a “working title.” Lord (Sean Gunn), who’s been a villain in other DC stories, seems to be working with the good guys… for now. Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Guy Gardner/Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) all play meaningful roles. These aren’t glorified cameos—they’re integral to the plot. Whether the group eventually becomes the Justice League or morphs into the Justice Society remains to be seen. Fans of Gunn’s Creature Commandos will also notice Gen. Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) making a brief appearance, helping connect this film to the wider DCU in its earliest stages.

A Superman film lives or dies by the chemistry between Clark and Lois—and this one absolutely works. The Emmy-winning Brosnahan brings wit, charisma, and steel to the iconic role. Corenswet, meanwhile, plays a Clark who’s still rising at the Daily Planet, not yet a household name but getting his first cover story shortly after the film begins. Their banter sparkles, and their emotional connection rings true.

But let’s talk scene-stealer: it’s not a person—it’s Krypto the Superdog. Jolene, a real dog, served as the on-set stand-in for the character, but Krypto’s look was inspired by James Gunn’s own dog, Ozu. This version is larger, with white fur and all the stubborn charm you’d expect from a superpowered pup. In fact, when we first meet Superman, he’s beaten down—and here comes this dog trying to wrestle him into even more pain. It’s absurd, adorable, and very on-brand for Gunn.

Even if the film doesn’t say “truth, justice, and the American way” outright, its message is clear. The origin story remains familiar, but Gunn introduces some fresh elements. Jor-El (Bradley Cooper) and Lara Lor-Van (Angela Sarafyan) appear via a recorded message that was damaged en route to Earth—not as holograms or AI projections. Instead, Superman is aided at the Fortress of Solitude by a team of classic Superman Robots—simple metal automatons currently led by Robot 4 (Alan Tudyk). These loyal machines help maintain the Fortress and support Kal-El’s mission, preserving pieces of his Kryptonian heritage. Voiced by some of Gunn’s regular collaborators, they bring both heart and humor to Superman’s secluded refuge.

Crucially, Gunn allows Superman to be vulnerable. Some of this vulnerability comes from Luthor’s machinations, which turn public opinion against the Man of Steel. Hoult’s Luthor is chilling in a way that would make Gene Hackman and Michael Rosenbaum proud. At Superman’s lowest, it feels like he may not recover—but of course, we know he will. He always does. That perseverance is why we love him. Though don’t be surprised if Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan) becomes a fan-favorite.

The score, composed by John Murphy and David Fleming, walks a fine line—and succeeds. The John Williams theme is sacred ground for Superman fans, and Murphy and Fleming honor it wisely. Sometimes we hear the original motif; other times, a refreshed arrangement. They could have scrapped it entirely—but doing so would have disappointed audiences. Thankfully, they found a balance that respects the past while embracing the future.

There’s so much to love here. From the production and costume design to the visual effects and narrative choices, Gunn and his team deliver a Superman film that feels worthy of the character’s legacy. Drawing inspiration from Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s All-Star Superman, the movie doesn’t erase the past—it simply charts a hopeful new course. And that’s exactly what the DC Universe needed.

Bonus Features

• Director’s Commentary with James Gunn*
• Gag Reel*
• Deleted Scenes*
• Adventures in Making Superman – Featurette (60:00)
• Breaking News: The Daily Planet Returns – Featurette (5:23)
• Lex Luthor: The Mind of a Master Villain – Featurette (5:18)
• The Justice Gang – Featurette (10:37)
• Paws to Pixels: Krypto is Born – Featurette (5:54)
• The Ultimate Villain – Featurette (5:30)
• Icons Forever: Superman’s Enduring Legacy – Featurette (6:05)
• A New Era: DC Takes Off – Featurette (4:53)
• Kryptunes: The Music of Superman – Featurette (6:31)
• Krypto Saves the Day!: School Bus Scuffle – (5:32)

* denotes that these features will be coming soon to Digital.

DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER: James Gunn
CAST: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, María Gabriela de Faría, Wendell Pierce, Alan Tudyk, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Neva Howell

Warner Bros. Pictures released Superman in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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