James Gunn’s Superman First Social Media Reactions Are Here

July 8, 2025

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Social media reactions are finally here for James Gunn’s Superman movie, with critics giving their first thoughts on the DC Universe installment with David Corenswet. After years of waiting, the Man of Steel is making his return to the big screen with Gunn’s Superman movie set to open in theaters later this week.

Superman will mark the only theatrical release for DC Studios in 2025, but the film will have a huge impact on the DCU franchise going forward. With several major DCU heroes and villains also making their debut in Superman, fans are about to get a huge taste of Gunn’s superhero reboot.

While Superman is still a few days away from its theatrical release, several members of the press have been able to see the film in advance, and they are now finally sharing their initial thoughts on the new Superman movie. Check out several reactions below:

ScreenRant’s Molly Freeman calls Gunn’s Superman movie “GREAT from start to finish,” adding that it’s also the “shot of adrenaline the superhero movie genre needs.”

ScreenRant’s Tatiana Hullender praised Superman for being a “splendidly human story,” while adding that Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan’s chemistry as Clark Kent and Lois Lane is “perfect.”

ScreenrRant’s Ash Crossan shared how the DCU installment is “beautiful, hopeful, and reminds you why these stories matter,” for Superman’s big-screen return.

ScreenRant’s Joseph Deckelmeier stated that the new Superman movie “felt like watching childhood leap off the page in real-time,” while adding that this will be a film for “families, comic book nerds & anyone who has ever loved a good dog story.”

FanDango’s Erik Davis defined Gunn’s Superman as “the perfect superhero movie and a terrific start for the new DC Studios.”

CinemaDebate’s Sheraz Farooqi commented that while Superman is “not without flaws,” the DCU film is “brimming with heroism and thrills, anchored by an emotional throughline that gives it gravitas.”

Comic Book Resources’ Sean O’Connell gave him the “biggest, goofiest, stupidest, full-faced grin as I revelled in everything @JamesGunn staged,” while adding positive words about the cast and world building.

Mama’s Geeky’s Tessa Smith shares how Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult “nail their roles perfectly,” while also adding that the “electric” chemistry between the Man of Tomorrow and Lois shines in the Superman movie.

Eric Goldman commented on how Gunn “embraces the earnest, sometimes lovably corny side of comics and their super (ahem) fun concepts in a way that evokes Raimi’s Spider-Man” throughout Superman.

Collider’s Perri Nemiroff added that Gunn’s Superman “made me so damn happy,” while sharing that DC Studios movie “is loaded with exhilarating action set pieces and well-placed humor and levity, but the beating heart of the film is Superman’s humanity, and his insistence on doing good and making the world a better place.”

As time will tell when full Superman movie reviews begin to emerge, it’s clear from the first online reactions that Gunn’s DCU movie is what the Man of Steel has needed for many years. Based on the early reactions, the Superman movie is not only succeeding in bringing back elements that fans have missed seeing with the hero on the big screen, but also brings something refreshing.

What is also coming through with the first reactions is how many critics are sold on the Superman movie cast, especially with Corenswet, Brosnahan, and Hoult as Superman, Lois, and Lex. It’s also clear that the DCU world-building is one of the stronger aspects for Superman, which bodes well for some of the other heroes who are showing up in the film.

While there are notes from critics that Gunn’s Superman movie may not be for everyone, it is definitely sounding like this is the perfect start that DC Studios needs for the DCU franchise. Even though there may be elements that might not work entirely for Superman, time will tell what additional reviews say, as well as how the general audience responds to the movie.

But knowing that Corenswet’s Superman in the DCU is likely to resonate with a lot of critics and fans, DC Studios is off to a solid start as they will get into more movies and TV shows that will include Krypton’s last son down the line. With only a few days left before it opens in theaters, the world will soon get to experience Superman for themselves.

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