Clark Kent, a Daily Planet reporter and the superhero of Metropolis, must face the fallout from an international conflict he helped resolve. The public trust he has long taken for granted begins to erode while billionaire Lex Luthor works behind the scenes. To win back support, Superman leans on his relationship with Lois Lane and on his fellow heroes. The film blends action, humor and a reflection on what it means to be good in a world wary of the powerful.

How it was made

James Gunn wrote and directed the film, which he produced with Peter Safran for DC Studios. The project followed the cancellation of a Man of Steel sequel in the earlier shared universe, and Gunn proposed a fresh take on the character. David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan were cast in June 2023. The subtitle Legacy was dropped by February 2024, when filming began in Svalbard, Norway. Production then moved to Trilith Studios in Atlanta and to locations in Georgia and Ohio, wrapping in July. Gunn has acknowledged the influence of All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, as well as Superman: Birthright. The score is by John Murphy and David Fleming, and the cinematography by Henry Braham.

Reception and legacy

The film premiered on July 7, 2025, at the TCL Chinese Theatre and reached US cinemas four days later through Warner Bros. Pictures. It opens Chapter One of the DC Universe. It grossed about $618.7 million worldwide, making it the tenth highest-grossing film of 2025. Critics praised the balance between its bright tone and its emotional weight, as well as the performances of Corenswet, Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult. A sequel, Man of Tomorrow, is scheduled for 2027.