Superman (2025) | Review Thread

My theater was packed and loving every second, with a long applause at the end (which is always weird to me at movies, not that it matters).

Mine did too (wasn't long, but pretty much the whole audience applauded at the end), though clapping at the end is not uncommon in my area for movies that seem to resonate with the audience. Also from this year, Thunderbolts and the final Mission Impossible had some clapping at the end, and Sinners had like half the audience clapping at the end.
 
Exactly what I said. But his popularity is still very high. And the debate isn't about which one is more popular, it's about Snyderverse doing damage to Superman. And this is not true. Again that still doesn't disprove my point + the HBO Max thing too.

Synderverse absolutely did damage the DC brand, which includes Superman. Batman is immune to this, dude to his popularity, but the DCEU absolutely hurt the brand, I don't know why this is still being argued in 2025.

200M is crazy, but anyone believing 100M is just as crazy.

Depends on how much cross promotion and brand partnerships were involved.
 
Gunn fan here. This movie felt rushed and overstuffed; I honestly enjoyed the Flash movie from a couple of years ago, more than this one. Probably a little of the ol' superhero fatigue setting it, but what can you do. Anyway, I'll continue to look forward to the next Reeves Batman film, and it can take its time in getting here.
 
Synderverse absolutely did damage the DC brand
I disagree. Warner did the damage by how they managed everything. Not Snyder, not MoS, not BvS. And if BvS made such damage to DC, we wouldn't have had ZSJL because people wouldn't care. That was not the case, so other than feelings do you have anything showing that the Snyderverse (MoS, BvS) did damage? I mean Aquaman made a billion after BvS so how can you still pretend that?

Depends on how much cross promotion and brand partnerships were involved.
Sorry but 100M is crazy to believe not matter how you spin it. You'll see in time, it will be know. For now they are in damage control mode.
 
I disagree. Warner did the damage by how they managed everything. Not Snyder, not MoS, not BvS. And if BvS made such damage to DC, we wouldn't have had ZSJL because people wouldn't care. That was not the case, so other than feelings do you have anything showing that the Snyderverse (MoS, BvS) did damage?

Snyderverse means the DCEU. It was the cinematic universe that was birthed by Snyder, and all the films in the DCEU take place in it. In regards to Zack Snyder himself, both MoS and BvS fell short of their WW targets, especially BvS. That film had one of the worst 2nd weekend drops in history. There was no excuse for a movie like that, where Batman and Superman share the screen for the first time, to fall short of $1 billion. Especially when it released during the height of the CBM genre. They got beat out by the likes of Doctor Strange and Captain Marvel. That's on your boy.

MoS and BvS also came out when the Nolan Batman Trilogy was still fairly fresh in people's minds. The DC brand was still fairly strong then. That changed over time.

I mean Aquaman made a billion after BvS so how can you still pretend that?

Aquaman opened domestically to around $70 million. It did well because it had really good wom, but that opening weekend domestically wasn't great for 2018. It did huge internationally, and again, this is back during a time where CBMs were popping off overseas. It grossed nearly $300 million in China alone, and I'm sure James Wan being Chinese probably helped in that regard.

Sorry but 100M is crazy to believe not matter how you spin it. You'll see in time, it will be know. For now they are in damage control mode.

Who's spinning what now? Variety reported on this.
 
Snyderverse means the DCEU. It was the cinematic universe that was birthed by Snyder, and all the films in the DCEU take place in it. In regards to Zack Snyder himself, both MoS and BvS fell short of their WW targets, especially BvS. That film had one of the worst 2nd weekend drops in history. There was no excuse for a movie like that, where Batman and Superman share the screen for the first time, to fall short of $1 billion.
Funny how expectations changes. For Superman 2025 it's like "it's the first movie so it only needs to compete with Iron Man 1 and Captain America 1 for example" while you are saying MoS is disappointing with 680M and BvS with close to 900.

Not to mention that the director's cut of BvS made the movie way, way more popular. Like those movies are still debated now, after all those years. Why? Because there is a lot of people who loves them. Time proved it.

Especially when it released during the height of the CBM genre. They got beat out by the likes of Doctor Strange and Captain Marvel. That's on your boy.
Yeah and they launched a dark universe when Marvel mania was in full swing, and people rejected the proposition because it was not fun enough. BvS also had a lot of competition with Civil War for example.

MoS and BvS also came out when the Nolan Batman Trilogy was still fairly fresh in people's minds. The DC brand was still fairly strong then. That changed over time.
Again that changed with WW84, Shazam 2, Joker 2 etc... Not with the Snyder verse. And saying those terrible movies are Snyderverse is bad faith, Snyder was long gone.

Aquaman opened domestically to around $70 million. It did well because it had really good wom, but that opening weekend domestically wasn't great for 2018. It did huge internationally, and again, this is back during a time where CBMs were popping off overseas. It grossed nearly $300 million in China alone, and I'm sure James Wan being Chinese probably helped in that regard.
Result is still there, it made more than a billion AFTER the release of BvS. So much for a damaged brand, I'm sure WB would love the brand to be damaged like it was at rather than what it is now lol.

Who's spinning what now? Variety reported on this.
You are free to believe this report. I'm free to think it's utter bullshit. Again time will tell.
 
I was worried the Kents would be played too much for comedy based on their opening scene, but the rest of their appearances, that was not an issue. Jonathan's speech to his son was wonderful, as was the final scene as I said earlier.

I might be an outlier here but the ending was fantastic for me, very 'heart warming' and 'life-affirming' if that makes sense.

When Gary says put on his family videos cause it soothes him and instead of the opening Krypton parents, they instead start playing a young Clark and the Kents, especially when the dad is lifting him up like the traditional flying Superman post. That kind of shit just melts the heart.

-

And Hoult's Luthor was just

Stick Around Bob Ross GIF by Originals
 
Last edited:
I just got back from seeing it...and it's fine. I didn't dislike it, in fact I was left in suspense for a lot of it, but after I left...I feel like I forgot it. I don't know if that says something about me, or the movie.

I think what makes it not leave it an impression, is that it doesn't really do anything I hadn't seen before. In fact, I think I still prefer Man of Steel, because I feel like that did a lot of things I hadn't seen before it. It's good characterization for Superman. It's just the action is just stuff I feel like we've seen after almost 20 years of comic book hero movies at this point.
 
I might be an outlier here but the ending was fantastic for me, very 'heart warming' and 'life-affirming' if that makes sense.

When Gary says put on his family videos cause it soothes him and instead of the opening Krypton parents, they instead start playing a young Clark and the Kents, especially when the dad is lifting him up like the traditional flying Superman post. That kind of shit just melts the heart.

-

And Hoult's Luthor was just

Stick Around Bob Ross GIF by Originals
Agreed. And the needle drop at the end was pure fire. Thought the ending scene was perfection, and I am suspicious that people who don't are cynical, boring people who are dead inside.
 
Agreed. And the needle drop at the end was pure fire. Thought the ending scene was perfection, and I am suspicious that people who don't are cynical, boring people who are dead inside.
It's not a bad ending scene but the character assassination used to achieve it felt forced and honestly kind of lazy. Like Smallville covered a much similar angle and handled it way better.
 
It's not a bad ending scene but the character assassination used to achieve it felt forced and honestly kind of lazy. Like Smallville covered a much similar angle and handled it way better.
I don't see the character assassination angle at all. I had heard about the moment and was prepared to dislike it, but I absolutely did not. I thought it was great. The movie is about superman, not his parents, and I love the heart of it and the device allowing it to be about superman making his own choices, being his own person, not to mention his earth parents just being great parents.

I just don't see people's issues with it or the reason for the outrage.

I actually like Snyder, but Snyder's Man of Steel decisions are closer to character assassination, or at least a character lobotomy for most of the characters.
 
Last edited:
The special effects actually being good in a DC movie doesn't feel right.

The only thing that looked bad was the alien baby. Krypto especially was pretty much flawless. Animal CG seems to have been solved since Jungle Book.

The casting choices for Clark and Lois feels like an implanted memory something especially the actress that plays Lois seems like you've seen her in this role because it's how you imagine what she always looked like kind of a Pseudo Deja Vu.
 
The special effects actually being good in a DC movie doesn't feel right.

The only thing that looked bad was the alien baby. Krypto especially was pretty much flawless. Animal CG seems to have been solved since Jungle Book.

The casting choices for Clark and Lois feels like an implanted memory something especially the actress that plays Lois seems like you've seen her in this role because it's how you imagine what she always looked like kind of a Pseudo Deja Vu.
Yeah was honestly shocking to see a superhero movie with good cg.

Lois did remind me of Margot Kidder.
 
Agreed. And the needle drop at the end was pure fire. Thought the ending scene was perfection, and I am suspicious that people who don't are cynical, boring people who are dead inside.
I think it's the opposite, that the people who buy into it are the sort of people who love every superhero movie and gets entertained by shallow, hollow and cheesy trash.
 
This song has been stuck in my head all weekend.


Such a fun little scene to show the general audience what Terrific can do.

It's funny - some people were convinced that the movie would be filled with GotG-esque scenes like this but Gunn subverted those expectations and went for a singular precision strike.


Also posting the credits song because why not
 
Funny how expectations changes. For Superman 2025 it's like "it's the first movie so it only needs to compete with Iron Man 1 and Captain America 1 for example" while you are saying MoS is disappointing with 680M and BvS with close to 900.
WB was clearly disappointed with how Man of Steel peformed at the time.
 
I said earlier that there is reason to worry about Supergirl and Clayface, the next two DCU movies.

And now you see why, Superman will do ok, but if this film had grossed 200 million lower, it would have been a disaster. Supergirl and Clayface will almost certainly gross lower, so they really need to have the budgets in check or else the new DCU will end before it starts.
 
I don't see the character assassination angle at all. I had heard about the moment and was prepared to dislike it, but I absolutely did not. I thought it was great. The movie is about superman, not his parents, and I love the heart of it and the device allowing it to be about superman making his own choices, being his own person, not to mention his earth parents just being great parents.

I just don't see people's issues with it or the reason for the outrage.

I actually like Snyder, but Snyder's Man of Steel decisions are closer to character assassination, or at least a character lobotomy for most of the characters.
You can do all that without making his kryptononian parents into diet versions of General Zod. Smallville managed it just fine. Again I had no problem with the thought behind it but the execution was BS.
 
You can do all that without making his kryptononian parents into diet versions of General Zod. Smallville managed it just fine. Again I had no problem with the thought behind it but the execution was BS.
Wait, you guys actually believed Lex's propaganda? Lol, and some people really said it was unrealistic how easily people were swayed in that scene...

There's no way the 'fixed' message is legitimate. Terrific says something about Lex's team of experts not bringing it forward unless they were certain but that doesn't really mean anything. As we're witnessing in our own reality, the 'experts' aren't always telling the truth, and Lex can pay off almost anyone.
 
WB was clearly disappointed with how Man of Steel peformed at the time.
So? Warner Bros set itself up for disappointment with such lofty targets, which is no fault of MoS. How are they supposed to feel with Superman 2025 most likely struggling to get to 550M?

UIZfGewbwbDjyHx3.jpg


A Man of Steel II by McQuarrie would've killed the number this Superman is doing. That would have had a REAL chance at a billion.
 
A Man of Steel II by McQuarrie would've killed the number this Superman is doing. That would have had a REAL chance at a billion.
Doubt. If BvS doesn't hit a billion there is no way a Superman movie will. The fact that there wasn't real plans to make MoS2 until 10 years later tells that they weren't very confident.

I don't know what kind of numbers WB is expecting for this but my prediction before the release was around the same as MoS. Maybe a bit more or less.
 
Last edited:
Doubt. If BvS doesn't hit a billion there is no way a Superman movie will.
If BvS didn't made a billion, there's no way Aquam... Oh wait? And if Superman 2025 is not doing at least 650M, what about Supergirl? Clayface? Futur projects like Wonder Woman etc... If the big blue can't break 600M (and I'm kind with just 600M) this universe is DOA.

The fact that there wasn't real plans to make MoS2 until 10 years later tells that they weren't very confident.
Do you know why we didn't get a MoS II? The reason is completely stupid, to cut a long story short: Walter Hamada has an ego way too big for this industry and wanted to renegotiate Cavill's contract, who was signed for a number of films. He wanted to include Cavill in Shazam for a cameo so that it would count as an appearance, and then renegotiate his contract. Cavill refused, wanting to do a MoS II and not waist contract to a simple appearance of a few seconds. Hamada then said that MoS II would never happen on his watch.

I don't know what kind of numbers WB is expecting for this but my prediction before the release was around the same as MoS. Maybe a bit more and less.
I can tell you they expected more than what they will get.
 
I really feel bad for people who sit there and say this was "mid" and would never watch this again. Like how damaged you got to be.

Knives out 2 was mid
The Last Jedi was mid
Man of Steel was Mid

This had heart
 
I think it's the opposite, that the people who buy into it are the sort of people who love every superhero movie and gets entertained by shallow, hollow and cheesy trash.
Absolutely not. I haven't seen a superhero movie in the last few years, because I was so sick of how shit they are. DC, Marvel, they have all been mostly boring garbage. I just have a heart.


Pretty much nails my reasons for not liking this movie.


I respect people have different opinions, but I didn't think it was overstuffed. I do wish this reviewer would lower his volume level, but he likes the good in the movie.
 
Saw it last night and I loved it. I am shocked how weird and goofy it got in parts.
I think it was refreshing and obviously made with love, but I can see why someone might not like it.

I am excited to see what's next. The casting was spot on.
 
Wait, you guys actually believed Lex's propaganda? Lol, and some people really said it was unrealistic how easily people were swayed in that scene...

There's no way the 'fixed' message is legitimate. Terrific says something about Lex's team of experts not bringing it forward unless they were certain but that doesn't really mean anything. As we're witnessing in our own reality, the 'experts' aren't always telling the truth, and Lex can pay off almost anyone.
Yeah, I agree. Alas, like most of the ideas in this film its quickly brushed aside, but the notion that his parents are so loving and then pivot to "we are sending you to start a HAREM with these inferior savages, fuck your way to a new empire!" was just bizarre. I would say they spliced words together from the rest of the message, but harem just isn't a word you drop casually :P

BTW, anyone catch the sly reference to Martian Manhunter? Lex IIRC mentions Martian shapeshifters when talking to the generals. His story has good parallels to Superman, be nice to see them team up.
 
Not the greatest opening. The domestic was more on the lower end of projections, $110M-$150M+. It's foreign take was softer than expected, $95M compared to something like Jurassic Park Rebirth's $171M last weekend. It's opening is $100M behind Jurassic Park. And with Fantastic 4 coming out in two weeks, not looking good for its legs.

James Gunn said this doesn't need $700M to be considered a success. I call bullshit on that. With a budget of $225M, this is going to need ~$650M-$675M just to break even when you throw in marketing and the theaters' take. Of course, this is also supposed to be the beginning of your new DCU. And is your most popular character, alongside Batman. This should have done much better if the film was much better.

Speaking of which, considering how packed this film is with characters and humor that doesn't land, I can't wait to see what he does with Batman. I'm guessing it's going to be more like the Adam West Batman and include Batdog.
 
Last edited:
Absolutely not. I haven't seen a superhero movie in the last few years, because I was so sick of how shit they are. DC, Marvel, they have all been mostly boring garbage. I just have a heart.



I respect people have different opinions, but I didn't think it was overstuffed. I do wish this reviewer would lower his volume level, but he likes the good in the movie.
If you view this movie as Superman and Friends, then it isnt overstuffed. But from the viewpoint as a Superman movie (the first movie for a new superman) it loses its focus on the titular character.
 
BTW, anyone catch the sly reference to Martian Manhunter? Lex IIRC mentions Martian shapeshifters when talking to the generals. His story has good parallels to Superman, be nice to see them team up.

When asked who they would love to interact with in a future movie, Mr. Terrifc's actor said Martian Manhunter.

Hawkgirl's actress said Raven (of the Teen Titans, who have a movie announced), and Metamorpho's actor said Deadman (a man who is mysteriously murdered, but his spirit becomes able to possess any living being which he uses to fight crime while also trying to solve his own murder.

All solid choices IMHO.
 
Veeeeeery curious to see the Teen Titans casting. That TV show didn't cut it.

The pitch meeting for the TV show:

Executive #1: So, you know, the iconic New Teen Titans comics from the 80's which we based the 2000's cartoon off on, it's honestly can get pretty heavy with some of its topics and themes, even more than we let that cartoon reach. Maybe we could do a show that fully captures that tone.
Executive #2: A super edgy, oppressively miserable tone? Sounds great!
Executive #1: What?! No, it wasn't edgy, and it had lots of upbeat moments to balance the darker moments!
Executive #3: Shut up, #1! Who asked you anyway?
Executive #1: This was my idea!
Executive #3: Anyway, I'm thinking we open this series with someone asks Robin where Batman is, and Robin is practically looking at the camera and he says, "FUCK BATMAN!" You know, because he's an edgy lone wolf now!
Executive #2: Hell yeah, the comics and cartoon fans are going to love this!

Executive #1:

window fuck this GIF
 
Absolutely not. I haven't seen a superhero movie in the last few years, because I was so sick of how shit they are. DC, Marvel, they have all been mostly boring garbage. I just have a heart.
This is what girls say about the Twilight films.

I don't mean to say it was some horrible ending, but saying it was flawless is just Marvel fandom.
 
When asked who they would love to interact with in a future movie, Mr. Terrifc's actor said Martian Manhunter.

Hawkgirl's actress said Raven (of the Teen Titans, who have a movie announced), and Metamorpho's actor said Deadman (a man who is mysteriously murdered, but his spirit becomes able to possess any living being which he uses to fight crime while also trying to solve his own murder.

All solid choices IMHO.
But no one knows these.

The superhero fatigue is gonna make it harder to present new characters.
 
I thought it was a good start to the series. Definitely appreciated the lighter and more goofy tone than its predecessors, felt more like a comic book allowing you to just sit back and relax and watch it without over analyzing it.
 
Lots of MoS glazing going on now lol. Aside from Cavil that movie was fucking dire, dick ships, Costner hand waving, Costner "ghost, global destruction, mess of a plot. Miserable experience. This Superman movie looks brainless but fun and MoS was anything but fun.
 
How does this compare to Man of Steel? Seems like both movies are divisive for different reasons, but settle at around a 6/7 out of 10 for most people.

Either way, it seems Superman hasn't gotten a solid movie for a long time.
 
How does this compare to Man of Steel? Seems like both movies are divisive for different reasons, but settle at around a 6/7 out of 10 for most people.

Either way, it seems Superman hasn't gotten a solid movie for a long time.
I liked MoS quite a bit, though I disliked the morals from Pa Kent and Jor-El, they were mixed up IMHO.

But the way Snyder depicts kryptonians in combat, THAT was AMAZING, Cavill supes would have one shot everyone in Superman, no question. But of course that is it's own problem in that Superman NEEDS no help and any enemy exists at his pleasure.

I think as a Superman film, Gunn has a better grasp on the universe. Snyder was too edgelord and it only got worse with the Justice League. I still would have liked to see just how fucked up he got but thats just because my inner horny teenager likes Snyder so much.

Speaking of Teen Titans, doing a very gritty version with teenaged characters dealing with sex, lust, jealousy, the pressures of combat, etc could be quite awesome. But that audience can't support a $200 million budget. A PG-13 level is the best we can hope for in that direction and it will feel neutered. After watching hours and hours of Teen Titans GO I think a more whimsical "American Pie" R rated comedy would actually be the correct choice :P
 
Yeah, I agree. Alas, like most of the ideas in this film its quickly brushed aside, but the notion that his parents are so loving and then pivot to "we are sending you to start a HAREM with these inferior savages, fuck your way to a new empire!" was just bizarre. I would say they spliced words together from the rest of the message, but harem just isn't a word you drop casually :P

BTW, anyone catch the sly reference to Martian Manhunter? Lex IIRC mentions Martian shapeshifters when talking to the generals. His story has good parallels to Superman, be nice to see them team up.
Jor El didn't use the word Harem. If I remember correctly, he said spread your seed. Or something like that.

Harem was the word that Lex used as a way to provoke the world, and the president of Boravia just parroted the language during the press conference.

There were a few issues with the script that could have been polished up - use of harem, the donut scene, Mr. Terrific talking about how easy and intuitive the T-plane is to fly, Mr. Terrific talking about the expertise of the digital forensics people, etc. I wonder if the script issues were more exaggerated though because of some of the last minute re-edits that happened. I wonder what the original Gunn film looked like that garnered negative feedback.
 
Last edited:
Angry Joe is sure a curious one. He gave this movie 6/10, but if you watch his spoiler discussion looks an even more lower score.
Well, being such a fanboy of Superman, you can go ahead and lower his score by at least a point for any Superman product.

Honestly, I think this is going to be like the Last Jedi all over again. Both movies had too much going on and at the same time not much going on. It felt disjointed. A lot of humor that felt out of place and that doesn't land. And changing the lore for the worse.

And just like with the Last Jedi many people, including myself, felt compelled to say that they liked it. Or at least think it was okay, which was my initial thoughts on that movie. But there was this lingering feeling that you couldn't quite place your finger on that it didn't feel right saying it was good or okay. But within a week or so of talking about it with people, you and others figure out all the flaws of the film and you start turning on it.
 
Last edited:
Top Bottom