SUPERMAN First Reactions - 5 Spoiler-Free Things You Need To Know About The First DCU Movie

SUPERMAN First Reactions - 5 Spoiler-Free Things You Need To Know About The First DCU Movie

The social media embargo for Superman lifted earlier today, and while full reviews land this afternoon, we're taking a deep dive into what these early reactions tell us about the first DC Studios movie.

Feature Opinion
By JoshWilding - Jul 08, 2025 08:07 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman

The first Superman social media reactions dropped earlier today, and it's fair to say that they're mostly very positive. While the movie isn't receiving the unanimously positive response that some expected, it still sounds like filmmaker James Gunn has produced a hit. 

The reviews will be more telling, but there are still plenty of intriguing details to be gleaned from these early thoughts posted to social media platforms like X and YouTube. 

In this feature, we've taken a closer look at these reactions to get a better idea of what to expect from DC Studios' first DCU movie. Where does Superman soar, and in what areas does James Gunn fail to stick the landing? Is it being overhyped, or will Superman restore faith in a genre that's suffering from superhero fatigue? 

You can find the possible answers to those questions and more by clicking the "Next"/"View List" buttons below. 
 

5. It's The Superman Movie Many Fans Have Been Waiting For

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Man of Steel and the "SnyderVerse" movies that followed have a devoted fanbase, but most DC fans seem to agree that the world needs a Superman who is a little more hopeful. 

Joss Whedon gave us a taste of that in his otherwise disastrous cut of Justice League. However, it seems Gunn has delivered a movie that embraces the inherent joy of this character in place of what was a largely glum, brooding take from Zack Snyder.

"Superman reminds us that Clark Kent has always been a beacon of hope and the goodness that can exist in this world," reads one verdict. Another says that this is "the hero’s most vibrant, optimistic, and character-driven big screen outing since Richard Donner was running the show."

One critic perhaps sums it up best by promising a "non-stop joyride, packed with humor, action, and emotion."
 

4. There Are Some Glaring Issues

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Superman is receiving a lot of praise, but it's certainly not perfect if these first reactions are anything to go by. It's been called "a mess, narratively and tonally," and "a film [that] sadly buckles under a convoluted & often silly plot."

The visual effects have also come under fire, though that's less surprising as Warner Bros.' DC movies have always been a tad hit-or-miss on that front (look no further than The Flash and Black Adam for proof). In fact, there may be a little too much CGI, with one critic arguing that it reaches "Marvel levels."

When it comes to Superman being too goofy and silly, that's up for debate, it seems. Some loved that wacky tone and others didn't, so it might boil down to what you want from your superhero movies. 

Still, there are worse things for this genre to be than "fun, vibrant [and] idiosyncratic."
 

3. David Corenswet Delivers

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While it would be unfair to call David Corenswet an "unknown," he certainly isn't a household name and brings little in the way of baggage with him to Superman

However, just like Gunn's gamble paid off when he cast Chris Pratt as Star-Lord, it seems the same can be said for Corenswet. "David Corenswet shines with sincerity and strength," wrote one critic, with a second pointing out, "Corenswet has that heroic shimmer."

Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor is also praised, as is Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane. Unfortunately, while she and Corenswet have a lot of chemistry, there were those who felt their shared screen time was too limited.

The worst complaint about Corenswet's Superman doesn't even seem to relate to his performance and is more down to how the character is written. "David Corenswet plays a boyishly sweet Superman, constantly getting his ass kicked; he’d be better as the lead in a Dudley Do-Right movie," one post claimed.
 

2. Is This The Flash All Over Again?

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The idea that critics are "paid" by studios is a myth perpetuated by those desperate to find a reason why someone's opinion doesn't match theirs. 

However, recent years have seen studios prioritise fan accounts and influencers over real critics, and that's where some of the doubt creeps in (eventual Rotten Tomatoes scores rarely line up with the praise posted to X). The quotes we've used here are from critics, but some of the overwhelmingly positive verdicts inevitably bring back memories from 2023. 

Take Fandango's Erik Davis, for example. Now, he works for a company that sells movie tickets, so as well-respected as he rightly is, it's rare he says anything negative about a movie. Even so, studios frequently make sure Davis' glowing quotes are front and centre in marketing, and in 2023, he called The Flash one of "the best superhero movies ever made."

That post has since been deleted, but it has led some to question his claim that Superman is "the perfect superhero movie and a terrific start for the new DC Studios." Again, Davis is great at what he does, but this is as good an example as any to wait for the full reviews. That goes for Marvel, DC, or really any upcoming movie. 
 

1. It Embraces The Comic Books

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Right, we'll get off our soapbox to end this breakdown on a positive note. The best superhero movies embrace the comic books, and that's exactly what Gunn appears to have done with Superman

Some of our favourite indications of that include, "James Gunn’s vision is a comic book brought to life," "it's unapologetically comic booky," and that it "feels like a comic book or Justice League Unlimited on screen." This is what we like to hear. 

Of course, we also need to point out that some critics have admitted Gunn's approach might not work for everybody. That could be problematic if it means regular moviegoers will be left confused or turned off by the filmmaker's Silver Age tale, but for fans, this sounds like a win. 

"James Gunn’s Superman feels like he tossed every Superman comic and his entire filmography into a blender and hit purée," wrote one critic. We'll leave it up to you to decide whether that's a good or bad thing.
 

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MR
MR - 7/8/2025, 8:38 AM
Josh is the reason why DC and Marvel don’t bother with this website. The movie isn’t even out yet and this clown is intentionally spoiling it. That’s why I say he’s not an ally to the genre.
Oberlin4Prez
Oberlin4Prez - 7/8/2025, 8:41 AM
@MR - word
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/8/2025, 9:12 AM
@MR - anything for a few bucks. Better than being a male hooker i guess
MR
MR - 7/8/2025, 9:50 AM
@vectorsigma - scratching around for the pennies that Google gives you is lame and needy. If he and the other “writers” on this website had a brain, they would smarten up, learn how to write, tidy this place up and then maybe the studios would give them the time of day.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/8/2025, 9:59 AM
@MR - oh i agree 100%. I have all my complaints/musings sent to @NateBest on those

I have even tried writing articles here but with no auto publish powers, i got tired always asking for approval
NateBest
NateBest - 7/8/2025, 6:43 PM
@MR, @Oberlin4Prez, @vectorsigma - Right. That's why they're invited to all of the press screenings and CBM is included in all of their commercials and home video releases. And pennies from Google? Tell me you don't know what you're talking about, without telling me you don't know what you're talking about 🤣🤣🤣
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/9/2025, 6:20 AM
@NateBest, @MR, @Oberlin4Prez - AND that is why you basically let your writers not follow your own guidelines and condone rage bait articles and rumor mills.

Integrity and credibility down the toilet for a few bucks of no brainer work. Ok got it 🫡
Oberlin4Prez
Oberlin4Prez - 7/9/2025, 9:11 AM
@vectorsigma - again I say ... Word
NateBest
NateBest - 7/9/2025, 9:41 AM
@MR, @Oberlin4Prez, @vectorsigma - It's almost as if the entire platform is based on user-generated content where anyone and everyone, including you, can post content and articles.

The fact that you continue to act as if you *didn't* know this after all of these years is what fascinates me.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/9/2025, 10:31 AM
@NateBest, @MR, @Oberlin4Prez -

I know that and i even try creating articles, hoping to give dissenting voices a chance on this platform.

But if the other side has auto publish powers while i need to always l get permission to publish, whats the use of you saying that?

And then you will say "you need to follow guidelines blah blah blah", whereas your regular writers ALWAYS dont follow even simple guidelines on spelling and whatnot.

It has been this cycle of "you can write, but you cant have auto publish powers because of guidelines (that regular writers themselves dont even follow)".
NateBest
NateBest - 7/9/2025, 1:37 PM
@vectorsigma - The approval process is due to technical issues (users breaking the site with custom HTML code, or bloated code from WYSIWYG editors), copyright (I just settled a big copyright suit last year with copyright trolls that took over 5 years and cost over $500K), and spammers posting "articles" to promote illegal video downloads.

Once a user shows that they A) Post regularly, and B) Follow the content and quality guidelines (at least for the most part so that it doesn't look like something from a 3rd grader, or typed through a phone), I can upgrade their privileges where their posts will still be reviewed, but will show up for users to see while it's in review (right now regular user posts won't show up until they're reviewed).

I hope you take the opportunity to post some more. I LOVE seeing different people and their takes on things... I think most people feel the same way.
MR
MR - 7/9/2025, 2:56 PM
@NateBest - if they were actually invited to press screenings and whatever else, why is everything a "rumour"? Why is everything you write based on "rumblings"? Why is it that everything is "seemingly" this way or that way? If you're going to press screenings and are invited to certain events, why can't ANY of these "writers" actually say that they were there and that they have something to report. It's because you can't. Never once did you or any of the these writers say they were at these places. At least, I've never read it. Such nonsense.

Talk about 3rd grade. It feels like a 3rd rate website. Please clean this place up.
NateBest
NateBest - 7/9/2025, 6:11 PM
@MR - Because until they see it for themselves, which very few people had leading up to the premiere Monday evening, they *are* rumors. That's why you're starting to see more factual content/posts, confirmation of rumors, etc.

There's also embargos, which opened up *after* the red carpet event for this particular film, that restricts members of the press, and even general audience members who happen to get into an early screening, from sharing what they've seen. Hence all of the "reaction" posts after press screenings.
MR
MR - 7/9/2025, 7:05 PM
@NateBest - I’m sorry but I call BS on some of this. if you’re invited to these events, you know, being “insiders” and all that, why aren’t you getting interviews with the people who make these movies? Why aren’t you capitalizing on the actual name of this website? Why are you relying on other bloggers for rumours when sometimes they are just made up. I mean, we have Doomsday rumours already and the thing isn’t even out! Why does this website just feel like it’s designed in a basement? This website really should be the go-to place for Gunn and Feige to get the word out but it’s just not.
MR
MR - 7/9/2025, 7:06 PM
@NateBest - also, why are there CONSTANT spoilers? You’re intentionally spoiling people’s experiences.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/10/2025, 1:39 AM
@NateBest - i think I have followed A and B and you can check my existing articles.

If you may. I hope you can consider giving me publish rights. I have a few articles in mind.

NateBest
NateBest - 7/10/2025, 1:53 AM
@vectorsigma - I completely forgot about your NE ZHA 2 articles! I'll go review what you've posted when I get back online tomorrow 👍
NateBest
NateBest - 7/10/2025, 2:02 AM
@MR - I could care less what you think or call things as the facts are *not* on your side and you obviously don't pay attention.

There are tons of interviews posted on the site, as well as its sister sites, and plenty of ads on the studios social platforms, and even TV and home video release jackets, highlighting CBM and the reviews here (when they're favorable).
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/10/2025, 5:52 AM
@NateBest - My Superman review is ready for review. If all good, please publish. Thanks.

https://comicbookmovie.com/members/articles/Preview/?ArticleID=222692
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/10/2025, 6:34 AM
@NateBest - Another one for review (there are now 2 in total). Hope I can have publish rights soon so that I dont need to bother you :)

https://comicbookmovie.com/members/articles/Preview/?ArticleID=222693

If it is ok to have this on the main site too :)
MR
MR - 7/10/2025, 7:49 AM
@NateBest - Based on that response, I do believe you couldn’t care less. It’s a fiefdom. Lol.
NateBest
NateBest - 7/10/2025, 11:16 AM
@MR - From a rude troll who's opinions and what they're sharing is 100% *incorrect* and easily proven as such? You got me. I've got more important things to do (like review @vectorsigma's posts).
MR
MR - 7/10/2025, 1:04 PM
@NateBest - please. you're saying you go to all these events and I never see any proof of it. And you still haven't explained why this website spoils everything. SPOILERS in BIG RED typeset.
NateBest
NateBest - 7/10/2025, 7:40 PM
@MR - "you're saying you go to all these events" I actually *never* said anything of the sort anywhere in our discussion.

I said some of the users/contributors attend, including Josh and Mark.

That being said, I *have* been to quite a few press junkets and red carpets, interviewed directors, actors, etc. I'm sure if you go through my profile you can find them, but it's been a while since I've attended because I found that it costs double or more to fly myself out to California and put myself up somewhere for the multi-day events. It's just not cost effective as interviews don't earn particularly well and I hate dealing with embargoes.

As far as spoilers go, there are very specific rules regarding spoilers, hence it appearing in the headlines (usually uppercase and in red) so that users who *don't* want to be spoiled know NOT to click.

If something says "SPOILERS", and you click on it, you only have yourself to blame.
MR
MR - 7/10/2025, 10:38 PM
@NateBest - sure. Ok. Look, Ive been coming to CBM for more than 20 years. I would love for this website to evolve and to be more than what it is. Our discussion tells me that ain’t gonna happen. C’est La Vie.
TheFinestSmack
TheFinestSmack - 7/8/2025, 8:48 AM
Don't tell me what I need to know!!! lol
BillyBatson1000
BillyBatson1000 - 7/8/2025, 9:17 AM
@TheFinestSmack - ALL day long - damn these young whippersnappers.
dragon316
dragon316 - 7/8/2025, 8:51 AM
All comic book movies use cgi unless it’s blade , some parts Batman
Matchesz
Matchesz - 7/8/2025, 9:15 AM
@dragon316 - transformers 2007 used cgi and I still think those robots were real
Matador
Matador - 7/8/2025, 9:23 AM
@dragon316 - about that

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newhire13
newhire13 - 7/8/2025, 9:29 AM
@Matchesz - What about all the other Transformer movies 😂
F4ntasticClunge
F4ntasticClunge - 7/8/2025, 8:57 AM
Please rotate that article another 90 degrees to right for the next article josh!

No real reason for it, i would just like to see it😌
Liraleoxx
Liraleoxx - 7/8/2025, 9:02 AM
Josh is always trying to tear down DC and their stuff. Let’s see if he keeps the same energy when the Fantastic Four drops — but I really doubt it.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/8/2025, 9:17 AM
@Liraleoxx - imagine an outcime where Superman is a BO hit and F4 struggles.

So many people will need anti depressants 😭
Liraleoxx
Liraleoxx - 7/8/2025, 9:45 AM
@vectorsigma - Josh included
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/8/2025, 9:49 AM
@Liraleoxx - unless he starts shilling for DC
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 7/8/2025, 9:03 AM
Well, holy [frick]ing shit, the [frick]ing reactions keep coming in and as predicted, our boy’s movie is a wild, messy, glorious, comic book-fueled [frick]ing ride.

Yeah, some [frick]ers are crying about tone and CGI, but what the [frick] did they expect? Snyder gloom and slo-mo Jesus poses? Nah. Gunn gave us the comic book come to life, and if that’s “too silly” for some miserable bastards, they can [frick] right off back to their grayscale misery-porn.

David Corenswet? The [frick]er delivered. “Sincerity and strength,” “heroic shimmer,” and oh no, he gets his ass kicked? Good. That means there’s stakes, not some overpowered, unkillable god on autopilot. [frick] off with that Dudley Do-Right nonsense, this guy’s flying, fighting, and feeling. That’s Superman.

And if you’re whining that Gunn “threw every comic into a blender,” [frick] yeah he did and that’s EXACTLY what this genre needs. A big, bold, unapologetic [frick]-you to safe, factory-assembled superhero flicks.

So [frick] yeah, it’s not perfect and who the [frick] said it needed to be? It’s fun, it’s vibrant, it’s packed with [frick]ing heart, and it’s actually got something to say. That’s the Superman we’ve been [frick]ing waiting for.

#SupermanLives #DCForever

For [frick]s Sake

Hail DC 🫡
Matador
Matador - 7/8/2025, 9:37 AM
@THEKENDOMAN -

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THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 7/8/2025, 9:39 AM
@Matador - 👊🏿
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/8/2025, 9:15 AM
Another desperate attempt to discredit the good initial reactions which include RT approved critics.

The next few days will make the naysayers shut up
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