James Gunn's highly anticipated film, Superman, starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, is officially set to fly onto HBO Max this Friday, September 19. This streaming debut comes just over two months after the film's theatrical release in July, which saw an impressive box office run. The movie garnered a respectable $615.1 million worldwide, with $353.9 million earned domestically, demonstrating its significant impact.

Upon its arrival in July, Superman immediately made waves, taking over the summer with extensive promotions. The first film from DC's 'Gods and Monsters' phase soared to a $220 million global box office haul in its premiere weekend alone. Critically, it achieved a Certified Fresh 83% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences responded even more favorably, giving it a Verified Hot 90%.

This iteration of the iconic hero is not an origin story, instead picking up in the middle of the action. The narrative follows Clark Kent as he endeavors to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human life as a reporter for the Daily Planet. When drawn into an international conflict orchestrated by tech billionaire Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), unforeseen consequences unfold, leading to public distrust and playing directly into Luthor's hands. With the steadfast support of Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) and Krypto, alongside members of the Justice Gang, Superman must clear his name and thwart his archenemy's intricate schemes.

Beyond its central plot, the film is crucial for establishing the new DCU, introducing not only familiar characters from Superman's lore but also various other heroes and villains from the wider universe. These include Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawk Girl (Isabela Merced), Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), and the Engineer/Angela Spica (María Gabriela de Faría). Warner Bros. pursued a rapid turnaround for its digital and streaming release, a strategy James Gunn explained was to ensure as many viewers as possible could see the film before the launch of Peacemaker Season 2, which is designed to continue from where the movie concludes.

The overwhelmingly positive reception to Superman has prompted James Gunn to fast-track a sequel. The next film, titled Man of Tomorrow, is scheduled to premiere on July 9, 2027, less than two years after the DCU's initial film debut. Gunn has shared some plot insights for the sequel, revealing that following Luthor's arrest for his crimes at the end of Superman, he and Clark will form an uneasy alliance to confront a greater global threat. Gunn even noted to Howard Stern that the sequel would be "as much a Lex movie as it is a Superman movie." Production for Man of Tomorrow is slated to begin in April. The DCU's upcoming slate also includes Craig Gillespie's Supergirl, starring Milly Alcock, set to hit theaters on June 26, 2026.

In addition to its availability on HBO Max and HBO, an American Sign Language (ASL) version of Superman will be accessible on the platform. This version is interpreted by Deaf ASL Interpreter Giovanni Maucere and helmed by Leila Hanaumi, known for directing Barbie with ASL. The film has a runtime of 130 minutes, and its creative team includes James Gunn as director and writer (alongside Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel), with Peter Safran serving as producer. David Corenswet stars as Superman, and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane.