7 Mistakes That Every Superman Movie Makes

Excitement around Superman is soaring, largely because of James Gunn’s Superman movie, which became the biggest superhero hit of Summer 2025. Gunn received a lot of credit for bringing a sense of lightness, fun, and optimism back to the character, especially after a decade of darker portrayals in the previous DC Universe. However, this new Superman film didn’t radically change the superhero movie formula.

James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film, Man of Tomorrow, has a chance to fix common problems that have plagued past Superman movies. Looking back at the history of these films, it’s apparent Gunn is repeating some of the same creative missteps, but also has the opportunity to address at least seven long-standing issues that these movies consistently struggle with.

7) Not Enough Faith in Superman’s World

Superman films often spend so much time proving how powerful he is that they don’t fully explore the rich and interesting world his stories have created.

As a critic, I’ve always felt Superman films miss a crucial element: a strong sense of place. We get glimpses of Smallville’s Kent farm, and we definitely see key spots in Metropolis – the Daily Planet, LexCorp, that sort of thing – but the city never feels alive, like Gotham in the Batman movies or New York in the Spider-Man films. It’s a shame, really, because Superman’s comics are packed with a whole supporting cast – friends, enemies, everyone – who are deeply rooted in Metropolis. Honestly, after all these Superman movies since the 70s, the fact that we still haven’t seen a live-action Bibbo Bibbowski is a genuine cinematic crime!

6) The Clark/Kal/Superman Imbalance

Superman is a surprisingly complex character. He essentially has three distinct sides: Clark Kent, the unassuming reporter; Superman, the inspiring hero; and Kal-El, the alien orphan trying to connect with his past. While many Superman movies do one or two of these aspects well, no film has ever perfectly captured all three at the same time.

James Gunn drastically changed what fans thought they knew about Superman’s origins and human side, while Zack Snyder focused almost entirely on Superman’s alien power. Richard Donner generally understood the balance between these aspects, but even his acclaimed director’s cut of Superman II is sometimes criticized for spending too much time on Superman’s personal life instead of heroic actions. It’s unclear if Bryan Singer successfully captured any of these elements at all.

The title Man of Tomorrow might suggest a playful contrast to the immense pressure Superman faces to be everything to everyone. It’s hoped the next film will tackle this ongoing issue with the character’s struggles as a key part of the story.

5) Always Bringing In The Same Villains

Okay, let’s talk Superman movies. It feels like whenever the Man of Steel hits the big screen, we’re stuck with the same old villains. Traditionally, it’s either Lex Luthor, or some darker, twisted version of Superman himself – whether it’s a Kryptonian enemy like Zod or Doomsday, or a clone gone wrong. But honestly, Luthor’s plans are consistently… underwhelming. It always comes down to a ridiculously convoluted real estate scheme. Can’t we give the super-genius a little more creativity?

I’m excited for the new movie, but I’m a little worried they’re falling into the same old trap! It looks like Lex Luthor is going to be a major player again, and honestly, while he’s a great villain, Superman has so many other fantastic enemies who deserve a chance to shine. Let’s see some fresh faces from his rogues gallery, please!

4) No Idea What to Do With Lois

Lois Lane is a truly iconic and memorable character in superhero films. She’s known for being strong, intelligent, and captivating – it’s easy to see why Superman is so devoted to her. While several wonderful actresses – including Margot Kidder, Amy Adams, Kate Bosworth, and Rachel Brosnahan – have brought Lois to life on screen, the movies still haven’t quite figured out how to best utilize her character.

Past Superman films have presented varying and often incomplete versions of Lois Lane. Margot Kidder’s Lois was a witty character who frequently needed rescuing, while the portrayal by Bostworth in Singer’s film felt strangely focused on her mother issues. Amy Adams’ Lois was a bit too focused on being a tough, investigative reporter, and Rachel Brosnahan’s version flipped the script by making Lois the rescuer. However, these were all side stories meant to support Superman’s journey, not fully developed character arcs for Lois herself. Lois Lane has become a major figure in Superman’s world, almost as iconic as Superman, and that’s why the differences between the movie portrayals and those in TV shows like Superman & Lois (with Elizabeth Tulloch) are so noticeable. The movies haven’t given Lois the complex and complete story she deserves, and it’s time for that to change.

3) Side-Stepping Politics

It might sound surprising, considering all the debate around James Gunn’s Superman movie, and how tough it’s been to make Superman really resonate with audiences worldwide lately. But I truly believe Superman films haven’t tackled important social and political issues head-on enough. It’s interesting to me that this is happening now, with DC’s Absolute Batman already being praised for its strong stand against white supremacy – it really highlights how comic book heroes have always been about making a statement.

It’s understandable that Superman movies need broad appeal and big budgets. However, Superman isn’t just about spectacle – he should represent something meaningful. While recent films have hinted at political themes – like international conflicts in Batman v Superman or the impact of Superman’s actions on foreign policy in the upcoming Superman (2025) – they ultimately avoid making any strong statements. It often feels like financial considerations are prioritized over the filmmakers’ potential messages. Superman, as a symbol, should be able to offer a perspective above everyday arguments. That’s what makes him inspiring – he’s meant to be an ideal we admire.

2) Making Viewers Fly With Superman

The last two points are similar: they focus on how Superman movies look, rather than what they’re about. Every Superman film heavily promotes the feeling of flying with the hero. The original Donner film famously promised audiences would “believe a Man Can Fly!” Singer spent a large part of his budget on a single scene of Superman saving a crashing plane. Snyder’s “First Flight” scene with Henry Cavill, set to Hans Zimmer’s powerful music, is one of the few universally loved parts of those films. Gunn also pushed the boundaries of filmmaking to make Superman’s flight feel incredibly immersive. However, these impressive flight sequences are expensive, and Hollywood could choose to spend less on them.

When Superman first flew onto the screen, it was a groundbreaking moment, much like seeing Spider-Man swing through the city in a live-action movie for the first time. Now, after many films, it’s simply expected. Instead of spending so much money on detailed fight scenes, modern Superman movies have shown us that focusing on his incredible powers – rather than just the fighting – is what truly captivates audiences and leaves a lasting impact.

1) Ignoring the Spectacle of Simple Super Feats

For years, I’ve been saying that Superman is most effective when the story allows viewers to fully appreciate the scale of his incredible powers. We need to see the big picture to truly understand what he’s doing.

The famous scene in the Superman movie where he flies backward around the Earth to travel back in time and save Lois Lane is iconic, though often misinterpreted. Back in 1978, filmmakers hadn’t yet established visual conventions for showing a superhero moving so fast that they bend time and space. Director Donner’s solution – showing red streaks circling the Earth until it appears to spin in reverse – effectively conveyed the idea.

Seeing Superman fly – whether it’s a quick dash across open land or expertly maneuvering through city streets at incredible speed – would be as visually striking as a detailed shot of David Corenswet’s face battling strong winds. Imagine a collapsing building mysteriously lifting itself back into place, or a dozen people saved in the blink of an eye by a red and blue streak. Even better would be action scenes showing just how far Superman can send a villain flying, or how many buildings he can move through. While distant shots often don’t work well for action movies, they’re crucial for showing the true scale of Superman’s powers.

Superman (2025) is now streaming on HBO Max.

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2025-11-01 16:20