Superman Plot Summary Ending Explained Review (Superman Franchise 2025)

“Superman (2025)” marks the reboot of the DC Universe and is the first live-action Superman film under director James Gunn’s leadership. As the new CEO of DC Studios, Gunn both wrote and directed the film, re-examining the essence of Superman and his relevance in the modern era. This film is the second installment in Chapter 1 of the new DC Universe and its first feature film, launching Superman’s new journey under the tagline “It Begins.”

Unlike previous Superman series, this film adopts an omnibus structure rather than a single overarching narrative. The story follows Superman as he faces various threats around the world, focusing on the choices he makes in each challenge and crisis. Public perception of Superman is polarized, with some seeing him as a beacon of hope and others as a potential threat. Throughout these events, Superman faces his first defeat at the hands of supervillains led by Lex Luthor and confronts an unprecedented crisis alongside his super-dog, Krypto.

“Superman (2025)” blends superhero, action, sci-fi, fantasy, and drama genres, combining the identity of the original DC Comics with James Gunn’s signature humor and emotional depth. David Corenswet brings fresh energy to the role of Clark Kent/Superman, with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Unlike earlier series, a variety of superheroes and villains appear as supporting characters, hinting at the expansion of the DC Universe.

The film poses fundamental questions such as “What is hope?” and “What does it mean to be a hero?” It delves into Superman’s human struggles, growth, and reconciliation with the world. Gunn’s direction, the cast’s performances, and the film’s contemporary message position “Superman (2025)” as a pivotal moment for the future of the DC Universe.

Superman (2025 Film )

Korean Title: 슈퍼맨 2025 | Japanese Title: スーパーマン (2025)
Genres: Superhero, Action, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Drama
Director: James Gunn
Screenwriter: James Gunn
Producers: James Gunn, Peter Safran
Cinematography: Henry Braham
Music: John Murphy, David Fleming
Production Companies: DC Studios
Distributors: Warner Bros., Warner Bros. Korea
Filming Period: February 29, 2024 – July 30, 2024
Release Dates: United States – July 11, 2025 | South Korea – July 9, 2025
Running Time: 129 minutes
Budget: $200 million
Break-even Point: Estimated $500–800 million
Box Office: 93,949 admissions in Korea (as of July 9, 2025)
Rating: 12+ (Korea), PG-13 (US)

Superman plot summary ending explained review (Superman franchise 2025)

Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes (Critics): 84%
Rotten Tomatoes (Audience): 96%
Metacritic: 70
CGV Golden Egg Index: High 80%
Naver Viewer Score: 7.73

Main Cast

Clark Kent / Superman (David Corenswet): The protector of Earth from Krypton, working as a journalist at the Daily Planet.
- Notable Works: The Politician (2019), Hollywood (2020), Superman (2025)
Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan): Brilliant journalist at the Daily Planet and Superman’s love interest.
- Notable Works: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2023), House of Cards (2013–2015), Superman (2025)
Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult): Superman’s genius and mad rival.
- Notable Works: Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), About a Boy (2002), The Menu (2022), X-Men: First Class (2011), Superman (2025)
Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo): Superman’s close friend and Daily Planet photographer.
Perry White (Wendell Pierce): Editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet.
Cat Grant (Mikaela Hoover): Columnist at the Daily Planet.
Steve Lombard (Beck Bennett): Sports reporter at the Daily Planet.
Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi): Genius hero of the Justice Gang.
Guy Gardner / Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion): Member of the Justice Gang, Green Lantern.
Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced): Warrior of the Justice Gang.
Jonathan Kent (Pruitt Taylor Vince): Superman’s adoptive father.
Martha Kent (Neva Howell): Superman’s adoptive mother.

Additional DC Comics characters such as Ultraman, The Engineer, Metamorpho, Rick Flag Sr., and others also appear.

Director James Gunn’s Filmography

Director James Gunn has gained worldwide fame for his unique humor and character-driven direction in works such as the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, The Suicide Squad, and Peacemaker. In this film as well, his style of emphasizing various heroes and villains, as well as Superman’s human side, stands out.

Filming took place from February 29 to July 30, 2024, and offers audiences the best theatrical experience in various formats such as IMAX, 4DX, and Dolby Cinema. The production cost is $200 million, and the marketing cost is also $200 million, with the break-even point estimated at $500–800 million.

The film was shot from February 29 to July 30, 2024, and is a mega-project with a production budget of $200 million and a marketing budget of $200 million. It was released in various screening formats such as IMAX, 4DX, and Dolby Cinema, offering audiences the essence of the theater experience. As a project responsible for both box office success and the future of the DC Universe, it set the highest record of 2025 with just advance reservations.

Superman Live-Action Film Series Chronology

Superman has inspired and moved audiences through various interpretations and actors over the decades. Below is a chronological summary of the major live-action Superman films prior to David Corenswet, including lead actors, box office performance, and plot highlights.

1. Superman: The Movie (1978)

Superman/Clark Kent: Christopher Reeve
Lois Lane: Margot Kidder
Lex Luthor: Gene Hackman
Jor-El: Marlon Brando
Box Office: Approx. $300 million (worldwide)

Plot Summary:
As Krypton faces destruction, Jor-El and Lara send their infant son Kal-El to Earth. Adopted by the Kents in Kansas, he grows up as Clark Kent, developing superhuman powers. Working as a reporter in Metropolis, he falls in love with Lois Lane and becomes a hero, saving humanity from Lex Luthor’s schemes.

2. Superman II (1980/1981)

Superman/Clark Kent: Christopher Reeve
Lois Lane: Margot Kidder
Lex Luthor: Gene Hackman
General Zod: Terence Stamp
Box Office: Approx. $216 million (worldwide)

Plot Summary:
Superman throws a nuclear bomb into space, inadvertently releasing Kryptonian criminals led by General Zod onto Earth. Superman gives up his powers for a normal life but regains them to save the world from Zod’s threat.

3. Superman III (1983)

Superman/Clark Kent: Christopher Reeve
Gus Gorman: Richard Pryor
Box Office: Approx. $80 million (worldwide)

Plot Summary:
Genius hacker Gus Gorman emerges as Superman is exposed to synthetic kryptonite, causing a split between his good and evil sides. The film explores Superman’s inner turmoil with a more humorous tone.

4. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)

Superman/Clark Kent: Christopher Reeve
Lex Luthor: Gene Hackman
Box Office: Approx. $30 million (worldwide)

Plot Summary:
Superman seeks to rid the world of nuclear weapons by hurling them into space. Lex Luthor creates Nuclear Man, leading to a new confrontation between Superman and his latest adversary.

5. Superman Returns (2006)

Superman/Clark Kent: Brandon Routh
Lois Lane: Kate Bosworth
Lex Luthor: Kevin Spacey
Box Office: Approx. $391 million (worldwide)

Plot Summary:
After five years searching for remnants of Krypton, Superman returns to Earth to find Lois engaged and with a child, while Lex Luthor hatches a new plot. Superman once again fights to protect Earth and his love.

6. Man of Steel (2013)

Superman/Clark Kent: Henry Cavill
Lois Lane: Amy Adams
General Zod: Michael Shannon
Box Office: Approx. $670 million (worldwide)

Plot Summary:
Kal-El (Clark Kent) arrives on Earth after Krypton’s destruction and seeks his identity and destiny. Surviving Kryptonians led by Zod threaten Earth, forcing Superman to choose between his alien origins and humanity.

7. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Superman/Clark Kent: Henry Cavill
Batman/Bruce Wayne: Ben Affleck
Lois Lane: Amy Adams
Wonder Woman: Gal Gadot
Lex Luthor: Jesse Eisenberg
Box Office: Approx. $874 million (worldwide)

Plot Summary:
Public anxiety over Superman’s existence and Lex Luthor’s manipulations lead to a clash between Batman and Superman. As the monstrous Doomsday appears, the three heroes unite to overcome the crisis.

8. Justice League (2017) & Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

Superman/Clark Kent: Henry Cavill
Batman: Ben Affleck
Wonder Woman: Gal Gadot
Aquaman: Jason Momoa
Flash: Ezra Miller
Cyborg: Ray Fisher
Box Office: Approx. $661 million (worldwide)

Plot Summary:
After Superman’s death, Earth faces new threats from Steppenwolf and Darkseid. Batman gathers Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg to resurrect Superman and defend the planet. The 2021 Snyder Cut offers deeper character arcs and an expanded story.

9. Superman (2025, Reboot)

Superman/Clark Kent: David Corenswet
Lois Lane: Rachel Brosnahan
Lex Luthor: Nicholas Hoult
Green Lantern: Nathan Fillion
Box Office: Scheduled for 2025 release

Plot Summary:
Directed by James Gunn, this reboot explores Superman’s struggle between his alien heritage and human family. He faces Lex Luthor, Ultraman, the Engineer, and collaborates with various Justice League heroes. The film emphasizes Superman’s humanity and ideals, setting a new direction for the franchise.

Superman Plot Summary

Warning: This section contains spoilers.

The narration begins by explaining that metahumans have existed for 300 years, Superman arrived on Earth 30 years ago, started his activities 3 years ago, stopped Boravia from invading Jahanpur 3 weeks ago, and experienced his first defeat 3 minutes ago in a fight against Boravia’s metahuman, “The Hammer of Boravia.” Immediately after the narration ends, Superman falls from the sky and crashes into Antarctica.

A battered Superman whistles to summon Krypto, who, after much struggle, grabs Superman and drags him to the Fortress of Solitude. Inside, Kryptonian robots focus solar energy on Superman to heal him. Superman watches a message from his father, Jor-El, regains his resolve, and heads back to Metropolis.

In Metropolis, a juggernaut-like monster called “The Hammer of Boravia,” acting under Lex Luthor’s orders, completely destroys Superman and enters a portal at a beach base to meet Luthor. It is revealed that the monster is actually Ultraman.

The next day, Superman, as Clark Kent, goes to work at the Daily Planet and banters with Lois Lane. Later, Lois returns home and meets Clark, who was waiting for her. The two have been secretly seeing each other for about three months, unknown to their colleagues. Lois already knows Clark’s identity as Superman and asks for an interview, to which he agrees.

Contrary to expectations, Lois conducts a serious, traditional interview rather than a staged romantic one. She presses Superman, questioning whether stopping Boravia’s invasion of Jahanpur was a rash action, and says she would have acted more cautiously. Superman responds, “People die while you hesitate!” and confesses that he took Boravia’s president to the desert and pinned him to a cactus before talking. Lois criticizes this and ends the interview, leaving.

Meanwhile, Lex Luthor visits the Pentagon, insisting that Superman is a threat to the United States and asking for his private metahuman group, Planet Watch, to be given authority. However, the Secretary of Defense and General Rick Flag Sr. indirectly express that public opinion currently favors Superman and suggest they are aware of Luthor’s dealings with Boravia, ultimately rejecting his proposal.

Luthor releases a lizard monster in Metropolis to distract Superman, then visits the Fortress of Solitude in Antarctica. Despite the fortress requiring Superman’s DNA for entry, Luthor enters nonchalantly, subdues the Kryptonian robots and Krypto with the help of Engineer and Ultraman, and successfully acquires the latter part of Jor-El’s message.

While fighting the lizard monster, Superman avoids inflicting fatal injuries and works tirelessly to prevent civilian casualties. The Justice Gang—consisting of Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific—arrives. Unlike Superman, they fight the monster without regard for collateral damage, and Mister Terrific ultimately kills it with a bomb.

Superman complains to Guy Gardner, asking why they couldn’t have just taken the creature to the Green Lanterns’ intergalactic zoo. Suddenly, Lex Luthor appears on a talk show and reveals the latter part of Jor-El’s message. Shockingly, unlike the hopeful first part, Jor-El tells Superman that Earthlings are weak and that he should rule them, with Superman’s mother advising him to take many wives and spread Kryptonian genes. Superman is visibly enraged but restrains himself, causing no harm, and enters a building to calm down. The Justice Gang follows, asking about the message’s authenticity. Superman answers sincerely despite his anger, but upon realizing how Luthor obtained the message, he immediately flies to Antarctica.

He finds the Fortress of Solitude destroyed, the robots in pieces, and Krypto missing. Superman storms LexCorp to confront Luthor but, faced with Luthor’s shamelessness, can do nothing and leaves. Luthor’s girlfriend Eve films the encounter and posts it on social media, further damaging Superman’s public image.

Exhausted, Superman ignores the appearance of a dimensional imp, letting the Justice Gang handle it, and flies to Lois Lane’s house. Through their conversation, they reaffirm their love, and after a hug, Superman says he will turn himself in, as the Department of Justice has issued a warrant due to worsening public opinion.

Rick Flag Sr. explains that, not knowing how to deal with metahumans, the government outsourced to Luthor’s Planet Watch. Superman is sent through a portal, where Luthor introduces his pocket universe. Luthor weakens Superman by having Metamorpho transform into kryptonite and shows off his facilities: a monkey army programmed to leave only negative comments about Superman, Krypto with electrodes in his brain forced to run endlessly, and a prison for those who opposed Luthor—including Metamorpho’s son.

Superman tries to persuade Metamorpho, but Metamorpho, whose son is imprisoned, angrily tells Superman not to talk to him and creates more kryptonite to torment him.

Meanwhile, Lois Lane notices Superman’s complete disappearance after his surrender and seeks help from the Justice Gang. Guy Gardner is indifferent because Superman disliked the name “Justice Gang,” and Hawkgirl is too apathetic. Only Mister Terrific helps Lois, partly to spite Guy Gardner. They raid the military base with Luthor’s portal and enter the pocket universe.

Luthor visits Superman’s prison with the Boravian president and brings Malley, the falafel vendor who helped Superman earlier, threatening to kill him unless Superman answers his questions. Before Superman can decide, Malley is killed in a game of Russian roulette. Luthor and the Boravian president are unfazed, but Superman, weakened by kryptonite, screams in anguish.

Metamorpho, disgusted by the cruelty, stops producing kryptonite. When Superman says he needs yellow sunlight to recover, Metamorpho creates a similar energy through nuclear fusion. Revitalized, Superman breaks out, rescues Metamorpho’s son and Krypto, and, after a fight with the guards and a near miss with a black hole, escapes through the portal with Krypto, Metamorpho, his son, and Mister Terrific.

Lois Lane takes the kryptonite-addicted Superman home to Martha and Jonathan Kent, where he recovers overnight and, after a deep conversation with his father, realizes that he is truly himself regardless of Jor-El’s message.

After Superman escapes the pocket universe, an enraged Luthor deliberately overloads the portal, causing a dimensional rift, and orders the Boravian president to invade Jahanpur to draw Superman out. Superman, watching TV at home, decides to handle the rift splitting Metropolis with Mister Terrific.

However, Engineer and Ultraman attack. Ultraman’s assault brings Superman down, and Engineer uses nanobots to cover Superman’s lungs and eyes, trying to incapacitate him. Superman flies into orbit, then crashes back to Metropolis, knocking out Engineer with the impact and expelling the nanobots from his lungs.

The impact damages Ultraman’s mask, revealing him as a clone made from a strand of Superman’s hair. Although physically similar, Ultraman lacks intelligence. Following Luthor’s orders, Ultraman overwhelms Superman, but when Krypto disables LexCorp’s drones, Ultraman, without further instructions, loses his advantage. Still, Ultraman attempts an armbar, but Superman dislocates his own arm to break free and throws Ultraman into a bus, sending him through the black hole.

Superman Ending Spoiler

Meanwhile, Jahanpur’s citizens, under Boravian invasion, raise Superman’s flag and call for his help, but Superman is preoccupied with Luthor. As a massacre looms, the Justice Gang and Metamorpho, summoned by Superman, arrive to defeat the Boravian army. The Boravian president tries to flee but is caught and killed by Hawkgirl.

Lois Lane, even as the dimension splits, proves Luthor’s involvement in the Boravian invasion using a sexy selfie sent by Luthor’s girlfriend to Jimmy Olsen, and publishes the story with Daily Planet reporters.

With Engineer and Ultraman defeated, Superman and Mister Terrific board the LexCorp airship, confront Luthor, who admits his actions were driven by jealousy of Superman and a desire to ruin him. Superman rebuts him logically, and as Lois Lane’s article goes viral, Luthor and LexCorp’s downfall is assured. Luthor ignores this and rages until Krypto attacks him, and Superman does not intervene. Mister Terrific inputs a code to seal the dimensional rift via Luthor’s portal, resolving the crisis.

Luthor is arrested by the US government, and those imprisoned in his pocket universe, including the monkey army, are freed. Superman visits Lois Lane, praises her article, and shares a kiss.

Later, Superman, recovering in the rebuilt Fortress of Solitude, is startled by the arrival of his cousin Kara Zor-El. Krypto runs to greet her, revealing that his unruliness was due to Kara’s excessive spoiling. Kara calls Superman a nerd before leaving, but he is unfazed. A Kryptonian robot offers to play a family video, and, unlike at the start of the film, Superman smiles warmly as he watches footage of himself growing up with Martha and Jonathan Kent, ending the film on a peaceful note.

Post-Credit Scene

The first post-credit scene shows Superman and Krypto gazing at Earth from the Moon. Mister Terrific stands with Superman. When Superman remarks that the alignment of buildings and streets after the dimensional rift seems off, Mister Terrific, annoyed after all his efforts to fix the rift and input codes, storms off. Superman laments, “My mouth is my worst enemy.”

Review of the Movie Superman 2025

Superman 2025 is a work that stands out for director James Gunn’s unique humor, sensibility, and character-driven direction. Unlike previous live-action Superman films, it harmoniously blends a bright and hopeful atmosphere, colorful action, and Superman’s human anguish. David Corenswet shows a fresh charm as the new Superman, while Nicholas Hoult, as Lex Luthor, expresses both madness and genius, heightening the tension of the film.

Critics highly praise Superman’s growth as the “Man of Tomorrow” and the establishment of a new worldview for the DC Universe. On the other hand, some point out the short narratives of supporting heroes and the somewhat weakened image of Superman as an overwhelmingly strong character as minor disappointments. There are also opinions that the CG quality is somewhat lacking compared to Man of Steel or Guardians of the Galaxy.

Domestic audience reviews are a bit more divided than overseas, but there are many positive responses in that it has set the first button of the DC Universe well. It is a work that makes you rethink the essence of the Superman character and the meaning of a hero, and is recommended not only for DC fans but also for all audiences who enjoy the superhero genre.

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