Initial reviews point to strong approval of “Superman”
The critics’ embargo for “Superman” was lifted on Tuesday (7/8), following the film’s premiere in cinemas. According to Rotten Tomatoes, a site that compiles the average ratings from international outlets, the film directed by James Gunn was released with 88% approval after 96 reviews. This percentage slightly dropped to 86% after 100 reviews, and may still vary in the coming days as more opinions are added to the platform.
How does the movie compare to other DC movies?
In the history of the DC Universe, “Superman” already premieres among the highest-rated titles. The current performance places the film ahead of productions such as “Birds of Prey” (78%), “Aquaman” (65%), and “Man of Steel” (56%), coming behind only “Wonder Woman” (93%) and “Shazam!” (90%) in the list of top releases from the former DCEU franchise. Among projects directed by James Gunn, “Superman” comes after “Guardians of the Galaxy” (92%) and “The Suicide Squad” (90%), but ahead of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (85%) and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (82%).
What did the critics think?
A factor that has determined trends in the criticism is the surprise at the politically charged tone of the production. Much has been discussed in recent days about the fact that Superman is presented as an immigrant in the United States, but the movie’s starting point is even more divisive: a conflict between two fictional countries from DC, set in the Middle East, one of which is a technologically advanced aggressor, similar to Israel. Not knowing this detail, Fox News had already called Superman “Superwoke.” And this polarization is reflected in the reviews.
“Superman” faces hatred both from conservative-aligned publications and critics who underestimate superhero films, yet the enthusiastic praise is overwhelmingly resonant. “A breath of fresh air for DC and superhero films in general,” summarized the website ScreenCrush. “A breath of fresh air flavored by a deep affection for the material,” added the magazine The Hollywood Reporter. “The public should attend in large numbers,” concluded Variety.
What to expect from the box office?
Analysts predict that “Superman” could achieve one of the highest box office performances of the year, with estimates ranging from $110 million to $170 million in North America during its opening weekend. The film, which cost about $200 million, will face direct competition from “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” which remains strong in the market.
In a recent interview, James Gunn commented on box office expectations: “The idea that the movie needs to reach $700 million worldwide to be considered a success is not true.” This is because the film is cheaper than the recent Marvel movies that failed, but also because Warner should work with a VOD release and generate revenue from digital rentals before making the movie available on HBO Max.
The director also emphasized that the tone of “Superman” will not be a standard for the new DCU (DC Cinematic Universe, in English acronym), which involves a new cycle of productions with distinct approaches.
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