Superman’s First Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes Critics Weigh In on James Gunn’s DCU Reboot

Superman’s First Reviews have soared onto Rotten Tomatoes, offering a vivid snapshot of James Gunn’s Superman 2025, the first film in the DC Universe’s DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.

Premiering at the TCL Chinese Theatre on July 7, 2025, and hitting theaters worldwide on July 11, this reboot stars David Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

With a Certified Fresh 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 87 reviews, the film has sparked praise for its heart, humor, and vibrant comic-book style, though some critics slam its convoluted plot and CGI excess.

Let’s compile every Rotten Tomatoes review, diving into what critics love, loathe, and debate about this bold DCU launch.

Rotten Tomatoes Score and Overview

As of July 9, 2025, Superman holds an 86% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, derived from 87 critic reviews, with 75 fresh and 12 rotten, @RottenTomatoes, July 9, 2025.

The score reflects a strong but not universal critical reception, aligning with acclaimed Superman films like Superman: The Movie 1978 at 86% and Superman II at 88%.

While a critics’ consensus is pending, reviews highlight Gunn’s optimistic, character-driven approach, with standout performances from Corenswet, Brosnahan, and Hoult.

However, detractors criticize the film’s overstuffed narrative and heavy reliance on CGI, raising questions about its narrative coherence.

Positive Reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Alison Willmore, New York Magazine/Vulture: Willmore gives Superman a fresh review, praising its unique visuals and avoidance of another origin story. She highlights Krypto’s airborne antics and the film’s fantastical elements, like Luthor’s pocket dimension monkeys, noting it feels honest and true to Superman’s spirit, distinct from typical superhero fare.

Owen Gleiberman, Variety

Gleiberman awards a fresh rating, calling Superman an intricate, arresting, and touching saga. He praises Corenswet’s joyful yet vulnerable Superman, the emotional stakes from his battles, and Gunn’s comic-book-inspired reboot, despite occasional exhaustion from its ambition.

Jamie Parker, CBR

Parker deems Superman a triumph, earning a fresh review. He lauds its fun, wonder, and fidelity to the comics, with Corenswet and Brosnahan’s chemistry shining, though he notes the supporting cast lacks narrative purpose. The film restores DC’s vibrancy, he argues.

GeekVibesNation, @blewis1103

This fresh review calls Superman a thrilling, relevant fresh start for the DCU. It praises Gunn’s balance of heart, humor, and action, with Corenswet embodying hope and Brosnahan delivering a fierce Lois Lane, per

@GeekVibesNation, July 9, 2025.

The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times offers a fresh review, labeling Superman a triumph. It celebrates Gunn’s colorful, optimistic approach, with Corenswet’s earnest Superman and Hoult’s menacing Lex Luthor, setting a strong foundation for the DCU.

Additional Fresh Reviews

Other fresh reviews, as aggregated on Rotten Tomatoes, include praise from Fandango’s Erik Davis, who calls it a terrific DCU start, and Collider’s Perri Nemiroff, who highlights its exhilarating action and humor.

These reviews, part of the 75 fresh ratings, emphasize Gunn’s ability to craft a hopeful, comic-book-driven Superman, with Krypto and the ensemble cast, including Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific, earning frequent nods.

Negative Reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Kevin Maher, The Times (UK)

Maher gives a rotten review, criticizing Gunn’s approach as outdated, stuck in the early 2010s Marvel style. He finds the plot convoluted and the multi-character focus lacking depth, despite strong performances, arguing it fails to innovate.

G.Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle

Johnson’s rotten review calls Superman a colorful mess, either a terrible superhero film or an okay parody. He faults its chaotic narrative and lack of focus, though he acknowledges its vibrant visuals.

Peter Howell

Howell delivers a rotten review, stating Superman isn’t the super start DC needed. He criticizes Gunn’s spectacle-over-storytelling approach, with Corenswet’s boyish Superman constantly outmatched and Hoult’s Lex Luthor more obnoxious than villainous, though Krypto steals scenes.

The Daily Beast (Deleted Review)

Though now deleted, The Daily Beast’s rotten review labeled Superman the final nail in superhero cinema’s coffin. It criticized its over-the-top CGI, weak plot, and Corenswet’s slight presence compared to Christopher Reeve and Henry Cavill, per screengrabs shared online.

Additional Rotten Reviews

The remaining eight rotten reviews, as part of the 12 total, echo concerns about narrative clutter and CGI excess. Critics like Nicola Austin note a silly, convoluted plot despite strong performances, and some, per X posts, call it a cheap TV show looking movie,

@filmsbyJuan, July 8, 2025.

These reviews highlight a divide, with detractors feeling Gunn’s ambition overshadows coherence.

Highlights of Superman’s First Reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

• Certified Fresh: Superman scores 86% on Rotten Tomatoes with 87 reviews, 75 fresh, 12 rotten, earning Certified Fresh status.

• Praised Elements: Critics love the heart, humor, and comic-book vibrancy, with Corenswet’s sincere Superman and Brosnahan’s Lois Lane shining.

• Criticisms: Rotten reviews cite a convoluted plot, excessive CGI, and narrative clutter, with some calling it a colorful mess.

• Krypto’s Impact: Krypto divides critics, adored for stealing scenes but criticized for overshadowing the story.

• Release Date: Superman opens in theaters July 11, 2025, following its July 7 premiere.

Analysis of Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

The 86% score reflects a strong critical lean toward Gunn’s vision, with 75 of 87 reviews praising its return to Superman’s hopeful, comic-book roots. Critics like Willmore and Gleiberman highlight its distinct tone, avoiding the DCEU’s darker style, and commend Corenswet’s vulnerable yet heroic portrayal.

The film’s use of John Williams’ theme and characters like Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, and Guy Gardner, per All-Star Superman influences, resonates with comic fans, as noted by Parker. However, the 12 rotten reviews, including Maher and Johnson, point to a familiar superhero pitfall: an overstuffed narrative.

Critics argue the inclusion of multiple characters and plotlines, like the Boravia-Jarhanpur war and Luthor’s schemes, dilutes focus on Superman’s arc.Krypto remains a polarizing figure.

While Howell and others adore his charm, some, per World of Reel, find his prominence jarring, echoing The Daily Beast’s now-deleted critique of misplaced priorities. The reviews suggest Gunn’s signature humor and fast-paced style, seen in Guardians of the Galaxy, both elevates and hinders Superman, with casual audiences potentially confused by comic references, per a Tachyon Pulse Podcast source.

Context and Implications

Superman’s 86% score is a promising start for the DCU, surpassing Man of Steel’s 57% and rivaling Superman: The Movie’s 86%. Early box office projections estimate a $125-145 million domestic opening, boosted by positive word-of-mouth, per ComicBook.com.

The film’s 2-hour-9-minute runtime and PG-13 rating aim for broad appeal, but the mixed reviews suggest challenges in unifying audiences, especially Snyder fans who prefer a darker tone, per X posts like @ecranlarge.bsky.social, July 8, 2025.

As more reviews pour in post-embargo lift on July 8, 2025, at 3 PM EST, the score may fluctuate, with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s 407 reviews as a benchmark.

Final Thoughts

Superman’s first reviews on Rotten Tomatoes paint a vibrant, divisive picture of James Gunn’s DCU debut. With an 86% Certified Fresh score from 87 reviews, the film earns praise for its hopeful, comic-book-driven take on Superman, led by Corenswet’s earnest performance and Brosnahan’s dynamic Lois Lane.

Yet, criticisms of a cluttered plot and CGI overload highlight risks in Gunn’s ambitious reboot.

As the DCU’s flagship, Superman sets a bold tone, but its ability to unify fans and critics will shape its legacy.

Catch it in theaters on July 11, 2025, and see if it soars or stumbles for you.