Superman earns praise for performances and tone amid early mixed reviews

Early responses to Superman highlight strong performances and direction.

Early reactions to Superman, the first official entry in James Gunn’s rebooted DC Universe, are now surfacing and the response leans largely positive.

Critics and insiders who attended advance screenings describe the film as vibrant, heartfelt, and tonally refreshing.

This is the BEST #Superman movie to date.

When James Gunn gets out of the way & lets his work speak for itself, it's incredible. 💙💛❤️

It's not perfect, but darn close
& made me a believer in Gunn's #DC

Review embargo lifts TODAY at 3pm EST
& plenty more #DC videos coming! pic.twitter.com/W5UZkAZNgX

— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) July 8, 2025

Audiences are particularly responding to the optimistic spirit of the film. David Corenswet’s portrayal of Clark Kent has been described as earnest and grounded, while Rachel Brosnahan’s take on Lois Lane is drawing praise for her sharp performance and strong chemistry with Corenswet.

#Superman is a triumph for the new DC Universe.

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

— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) July 8, 2025

Several viewers also highlighted Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor as a bold interpretation.

James Gunn delivers an all-timer with #Superman. He perfectly captures the essence of the character, fully embracing the fantastical elements to the point where it felt like a comic book brought to life.

While David Corenswet is already my favorite Superman, the real standout is… pic.twitter.com/cFLeoFC1Kg

— The Batman Film News 🦇 (@TheBatmanFilm_) July 8, 2025

The tone of the film is being celebrated as a return to classic superhero storytelling, with an emphasis on hope, emotion, and character. Reactions note a bright color palette and brisk pacing that differentiate it from darker entries in the genre.

James Gunn absolutely nailed it with #Superman. From the music and VFX to the camerawork and humor, he crafted the ideal light-hearted, kid-friendly family film for the summer. Every character had standout moments—especially Krypto. pic.twitter.com/NPnfz8KcDl

— Jeremy Kazieva (@jeremy_kazieva) July 8, 2025

Fandango’s Erik Davis called the film “the perfect superhero movie,” describing it as “big, bright, exciting, full of hope.” He also praised director James Gunn’s handling of the character, noting how the story centers Superman at his lowest point while maintaining a vivid, comic-book style tone.

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

Had an absolute blast with SUPERMAN!

It’s overstuffed and messy, but it’s always fun. This is the most comic-booky version of Superman we’ve seen on the big screen, and it pays off.

High-energy and very silly, with its heart in the right place. A good time on the big screen. pic.twitter.com/11UdetVXU5

— Daniel Howat (@howatdk) July 8, 2025

Still, early reactions suggest that Superman establishes key characters and tone for DC Studios’ upcoming slate.