‘Superman’ Takes Flight: Unanimous Reviews Pour In and Rotten Tomatoes Score Says It All

James Gunn’s Superman has finally arrived in theaters around the world. This marks the big start of the DCU’s live-action reboot. David Corenswet puts on the cape as Superman, with Rachel Brosnahan playing Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult stepping in as a very modern version of Lex Luthor.

This movie isn’t about Clark Kent becoming Superman. He’s already in action when the story begins. The world around him is loud, chaotic, packed with magic, and full of superheroes. There’s no slow build here—things are already moving fast.

Before the film’s release, early social media reactions were glowing. Now that official reviews are out, the tone hasn’t changed much.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, Superman currently sits at 86% approval, based on 147 reviews. The feedback is mostly positive, and critics seem to agree on what works and what doesn’t.

A lot of critics say the movie captures what people love about Superman, without being stuck in the past. One reviewer summed it up like this: “It’s classic Superman that feels enough like the original that it’s hard to dislike, and just fresh enough to feel like it’s not what everyone has seen before and worth the price of admission.”

James Gunn’s direction is getting major credit. Some call it a big win for tone and character. “James Gunn’s Superman is a triumph of tone and character, breathing new life into the legendary hero with a fresh yet faithful take,” one critic wrote. Another added, “The DCU has liftoff in spectacular fashion as James Gunn has done it again, achieving wonder by balancing great character work with colourful, fun, pulpy action.”

David Corenswet is also getting a lot of praise. One review said he “truly embodies Superman, bringing grounded charm, quiet strength, and—most importantly—deep empathy.” Critics also mention the film’s visuals, comic book energy, and strong cast.

The world-building was called “captivating and colorful” and the characters were described as “lovable.” Another reviewer wrote, “It’s a charming, highly entertaining film that isn’t afraid to keep things light (and light-hearted); the mood here is pure comic book, throwing out concepts and characters at a rapid pace with a breezy vibe underlying it all.”

Krypto the Superdog, by the way, is in the film, and several reviews say he steals every scene he’s in.

It’s classic Superman that feels enough like the original that it’s hard to dislike, and just fresh enough to feel like it’s not what everyone has seen before and worth the price of admission.

Abe Friedtanzer

Captivating and colorful world building, lovable characters and a heartfelt story that embodies the Spirit of Superman, yet full of excessive exposition, unnatural dialogue, one-dimensional villains and the same beats we’ve seen over and over with GOTG.

Nadya Martinez

James Gunn’s Superman is a triumph of tone and character, breathing new life into the legendary hero with a fresh yet faithful take. David Corenswet truly embodies Superman, bringing grounded charm, quiet strength, and—most importantly—deep empathy.

Lupe Rodriguez Haas

The DCU has liftoff in spectacular fashion as James Gunn has done it again, achieving wonder by balancing great character work with colourful, fun, pulpy action, acting as a symbol of hope for subsequent entries in this new cinematic universe

Nicholas Oon

For those holding out for a hero, and who need a jolt of truth, justice, and the American way, this is a strong summer treat

Jordan Hoffman

Not every review is glowing, though. There are critics who feel the movie struggles with pacing and writing. One review said it “flies well enough but it never quite soars.” Another noted the film’s issues with storytelling, saying it’s “full of excessive exposition, unnatural dialogue, one-dimensional villains and the same beats we’ve seen over and over with GOTG.”

One called the cast and music strong, but added that “a bloated, pedestrian script lessens the story’s emotional and comedic resonance.”

Some reviewers also questioned Gunn’s creative choices. One said, “It’s shocking how so many of Gunn’s ideas about the Man of Steel in his new take on Superman feel like they aren’t guarding the property at all.”

Even Superman’s role in the plot came under fire. “This Superman claims he’s driven by a desire to do good, which is a sweet and welcome message—especially compared to the darker Cavill take. But more often than not he just feels like someone the plot happens to,” one critic wrote.

Another said the movie ends up being too scattered to really stick the landing: “Despite generally entertaining action and impressive acting performances all around, [Superman is] less for 14- or 40-year-olds, but instead, splits the difference. It’s a perfect shooting strategy — if you want to hit nothing.”

And one reviewer described it as “a would-be franchise re-starter that resembles a Saturday morning cartoon come to overstuffed, helter-skelter life.”

It’s shocking how so many of Gunn’s ideas about the Man of Steel in his new take on Superman feel like they aren’t guarding the property at all.

Jeff York

The film has its strengths (mainly its cast and score), but a bloated, pedestrian script lessens the story’s emotional and comedic resonance. [Full Review in Spanish]

Nestor Bentancor

This Superman claims he’s driven by a desire to do good, which is a sweet and welcome message—especially compared to the darker Cavill take. But more often than not he just feels like someone the plot happens to.

Caroline Siede

So, where does that leave things? Most critics agree that Superman is fun, heartfelt, and packed with good performances, even if it has a few bumps along the way. It may not be perfect, but for many, it feels like the right kind of start for a new DC Universe.

Now, it’s up to the fans to decide whether this Superman truly soars.