
The Man of Steel has returned, and according to early social media reactions, he is flying high. With just days to go before its nationwide release, James Gunn’s Superman has officially lifted the social media embargo — and the first wave of buzz is overwhelmingly positive. Critics, influencers, and fans lucky enough to attend early screenings are calling it a fresh, heartfelt, and thrilling take on the world’s original superhero.
The new film not only marks the official beginning of DC Studios’ revamped cinematic universe but also introduces a new Clark Kent in Pearl and The Politician star David Corenswet. Joining him are The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult in a chilling, calculated take on Lex Luthor.
And yes, while a few reactions point to uneven CGI in places, most are praising the film’s sincerity, emotional weight, and bold new direction. James Gunn has built a reputation for turning underdog characters into household names. Gunn appears to be channeling that same energy into reimagining a hero who is anything but an underdog, making him feel modern, compassionate, and entirely necessary for today’s moviegoing landscape.
#Superman soars. It's a non-stop joyride, packed with humor, action, and emotion.
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) July 8, 2025
There's spectacle to spare, unbridled optimism, and a goofy unpredictability that ties everything together, even when there are a few minor issues. We've never seen DC like this, and it's great. pic.twitter.com/KM2EC0cddd
#Superman made me so damn happy. The 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. David Corenswet brings such… pic.twitter.com/cPAcPdxmQl
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) July 8, 2025
#Superman is a triumph for the new DC Universe.
— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) July 8, 2025
It’s a comic book brought to beautiful live-action life, brimming with hope & fulfillment. It actually elicited tears of joy from me.
It’s a Superman for everyone. David Corenswet was born for Superman & Clark Kent. Loved it. pic.twitter.com/ng2CrD2gh0
#Superman is a winner. I have complaints with the Marvel levels of CGI. But James Gunn has crafted a splashy colorful superhero film with tremendous characters. Mr. Terrific stole the movie for me. Corenswet and Brosnahan shine: I can watch an entire film on their chemistry alone pic.twitter.com/yKpAqwuXCV
— 𝙅𝙤𝙝𝙣 𝘿𝙤𝙩𝙨𝙤𝙣 (@JohnMovieWatch) July 8, 2025
#Superman absolutely soars! An awesome achievement & hopeful balm, honoring past iterations (cinema & comics) while cutting its own path. Corenswet has that heroic shimmer. Hoult is delightfully diabolical. Brosnahan brims w/ vim & vigor. Krypto’s adorbs. @Superman @warnerbros pic.twitter.com/8sS3FNFf8i
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) July 8, 2025
James Gunn’s #Superman is the perfect superhero movie and a terrific start for the new DC Studios. It’s big, bright, exciting, full of hope & it never loses its sense of wonder. Watching it felt like ripping open a comic book & feasting on its wild, chaotic imagination. Loved it!… pic.twitter.com/SfvZOAT1Mg
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) July 8, 2025
I loved Superman! James 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. Corenswet & Brosnahan have great chemistry and perfectly embody Clark & Lois. And Krypto's the best, obviously. pic.twitter.com/VtnluVFkGp
— Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) July 8, 2025
I wish I could watch #superman on repeat for a week.
— Roxy Striar (@roxystriar) July 8, 2025
They *finally* gave me the Lois Lane I’ve been begging for.
The world needs this movie & we can all learn so much from Superman.
I laughed. I cried. The DCU has arrived. @JamesGunn knocked it out of the park. pic.twitter.com/kUmEIF8IzX
I absolutely loved James Gunn’s SUPERMAN. Big themes, but still pure joy. It put me in a great mood (which isn’t often these days); it’s the happiest I’ve walked out of a theater since Top Gun: Maverick #Superman
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) July 8, 2025
SUPERMAN: The closest thing we’ll get to a live-action Saturday morning cartoon. The cast (esp David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan) is literally perfect. It’s a shame it looks like that. Full review coming soon!
— Hoai-Tran Bui (@htranbui) July 8, 2025
We saw #Superman and it was a mixed bag for our critic. Not a disaster at all (has some great moments) but not as good as hoped for. Oddly the movie short-changed a vital character – Lois Lane and, surprisingly, Clark Kent. Lots of Supes, not much Clark.
— JoBlo.com (@joblocom) July 8, 2025
SUPERMAN reminds us that Clark Kent has always been a beacon of hope and the goodness that can exist in this world. James Gunn's vision is a comic book brought to life and it bought a lightness and a happiness to one of the most beloved heroes around. pic.twitter.com/Prxsgfrfdk
— Rachel Leishman (@RachelLeishman) July 8, 2025
James Gunn and the cast really bottled that classic #Superman magic in this film. As someone who grew up buried in DC Comics, this felt like watching my childhood leap off the page in real-time.
— Joseph Deckelmeier (@joedeckelmeier) July 8, 2025
It’s for families, comic book nerds, & anyone who has ever loved a good dog story pic.twitter.com/fFGXTALJHs
I’ve seen @JamesGunn’s #SUPERMAN!
— POC Culture (@POCculture) July 8, 2025
It feels like Action Comics come to life. It’s thrilling, fun & most importantly, hopeful. @corenswet as @Superman is warm & relatable and he looks like he’s having the time of his life. He’s the perfect hero to lead the #DCU. @DCOfficial pic.twitter.com/8i1XLqvLlN
The tone is a blend of humor and humanity, but never at the expense of the character’s core. Gunn reportedly leans into Superman’s belief in hope and the inherent goodness of people, anchoring the film in emotional truth while delivering jaw-dropping spectacle and comic book bravado.
Alongside Corenswet and Brosnahan, the ensemble cast includes Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Isabela Merced, Nathan Fillion, Milly Alcock, Wendell Pierce, and Skyler Gisondo. It’s a diverse and dynamic mix that hints at a DCU ready to expand into a rich, interconnected world.
Notably, this film also represents a pivotal moment in the DC timeline. Just over three years ago, Henry Cavill’s surprise cameo in Black Adam gave fans hope that he might return as The Man of Steel. Instead, a creative reset followed with the appointment of James Gunn and Peter Safran as co-heads of DC Studios. Gunn made it clear early on that his vision for Superman would be a cornerstone of the new DC era , and now, that vision is taking flight.
Full critic reviews are expected to land on Tuesday, but the early verdict on social platforms like X and Threads is encouraging. One fan called it “the Iron Man of the new DCU.” Another praised its “emotional storytelling and joyful sense of purpose,” and several cited Brosnahan’s Lois Lane as a scene-stealing revelation.
This is not just a reboot. It is the launchpad for the next chapter in superhero cinema — and if these first impressions are anything to go by, Superman may be exactly the kind of hero DC and its fans need right now.
Superman opens in theaters everywhere on July 11.

The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.
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