"Superman" (2025) 4K Ultra HD Bluray Review

"Superman" (2025) 4K Ultra HD Bluray Review

Posted on September 25, 2025 by Neil Cole

James Gunn's Superman (2025) is not just a film tasked with rebooting one of pop culture's most enduring icons - it's the opening chapter in a new cinematic universe and now, with this 4K Ultra HD + Digital release, a benchmark for what superhero home media should deliver. Both the film and the disc presentation work in concert to offer an experience that is at once bold, immersive, and richly detailed.

The Film

Gunn sidesteps the expected origin beats, instead introducing audiences to a Superman who has already settled into his dual identity. Clark Kent is firmly established at the Daily Planet, trading barbs and story leads with Lois Lane while quietly carrying the weight of being Earth's greatest protector. The film's narrative threads together political intrigue, cosmic peril, and intimate character drama. Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult, in a scene-stealing performance) seizes on rising public mistrust, manipulating global fear to turn Superman into a liability. Against this backdrop, Superman faces threats both external - interdimensional incursions, super-powered combatants - and internal, as he questions whether his presence truly helps the world.

David Corenswet plays Superman with conviction, capturing the balance between humility and hope that defines the character. Rachel Brosnahan gives Lois Lane intelligence and grit, matching Corenswet's Superman beat for beat. Hoult's Luthor is magnetic, his blend of charm and menace shaping him into one of the most compelling screen iterations of the villain to date. Supporting turns from Edi Gathegi's Mr. Terrific, Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner, and Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl expand the scope of the world without overwhelming the story. And yes - Krypto the Superdog earns his place, offering both levity and loyalty in equal measure.

Tonally, Gunn's film is ambitious, oscillating between earnest sincerity and eccentric humor. While the pacing occasionally feels crowded, the core message - Superman as a symbol of trust, resilience, and compassion - remains clear. It is an invigorating debut for the DCU's new cinematic era.

Video Presentation

The 4K Ultra HD transfer is outstanding. Presented in its native 1.90:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Vision and HDR10, the disc delivers razor-sharp detail across the board. Fine textures - whether in the threading of Superman's suit, the steel and glass of Metropolis skyscrapers, or the crystalline surfaces of the Fortress of Solitude - are rendered with striking precision. HDR grading is applied with restraint but effectiveness. Blacks are inky without crushing detail, highlights sparkle in lightning strikes and cosmic energy blasts, and naturalistic skin tones keep the film grounded.

Even darker sequences, such as intimate moments in Lois and Clark's apartment or shadow-laden battle corridors, hold depth and nuance. Colors lean slightly desaturated compared to more stylized comic book films, but the choice works in favor of visual consistency, making the brighter, more fantastic elements pop all the more. It's a reference-quality transfer that shows Warner Bros. treated the material with care.

Audio Presentation

The Dolby Atmos mix (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 core) is equally impressive. Dialogue is clean and centered, never drowned out by effects or score. The mix makes active use of the full soundstage: height channels come alive during flight sequences, cityscapes echo with ambient effects, and battles unleash layered directional cues. Bass response is muscular but never overwhelming, giving explosions and impacts real weight. The orchestral score fills the room without overshadowing the subtleties of the sound design.

Where some modern blockbusters push the volume for sheer impact, Superman (2025)'s Atmos track is more refined, opting for precision over bombast. The result is immersive and powerful without straying into excess.

Packaging & Presentation

Physically, the release comes housed in a lenticular slipcover featuring Corenswet as Clark Kent in one image and Superman in the other, standing in the bustling City of Metropolis skyline. The standard black UHD case includes a single 4K UHD disc along with a Movies Anywhere digital code insert. Disc art is minimal but attractive, matching the branding of other recent DC releases for easy shelf uniformity.

Menus are straightforward and functional, with looping clips from the film and an intuitive navigation system that makes jumping into special features painless.

Special Features

On-disc extras are more robust than many recent superhero releases, though not exhaustive. The standout is "Adventures in the Making of Superman", a nearly hour-long documentary that explores the film from pre-production through post-release, blending interviews, concept art, and behind-the-scenes footage.

Additional featurettes include:

• Lex Luthor: The Mind of a Master Villain: A closer look at Nicholas Hoult's approach to the character, mixing actor insight with archival material on the character's history.

• Rise of the Planet: Focused on reimagining the Daily Planet newsroom, with attention to production design and the interplay of the ensemble cast.

• Paws to Pixels: Krypto Is Born: An in-depth examination of how Superman's canine companion was created through visual effects and voice design.

• Krypto Saves the Day!: School Bus Scuffle: A lighthearted animated short featuring Krypto, aimed at younger viewers but charming enough to amuse all ages.

What's missing are some of the heavier extras: a gag reel, deleted scenes, and James Gunn's feature commentary are available only through the digital version. While the inclusion of a Movies Anywhere code guarantees access, their absence on the disc itself feels like a missed opportunity for collectors who value physical permanence.

Final Thoughts

Superman (2025) is both a bold new vision for one of comics' most iconic heroes and one of the most polished home video presentations of the year. The film succeeds in restoring Superman's optimism and humanity, while Gunn's direction keeps the tone playful, heartfelt, and spectacular. The 4K UHD release does it justice, with near-reference video, an immersive Atmos mix, and a thoughtful (if not complete) suite of extras.

For collectors, the packaging, disc quality, and supplemental material combine to create a release that feels substantial. For casual viewers, it's an easy recommendation as the definitive way to experience the film at home. While the absence of some extras on the physical disc is a small disappointment, the overall package remains essential.

This is Superman at his most hopeful - and in 4K Ultra HD, he's never looked or sounded better.

"Superman" (2025) is currently available for purchase on 4K Ultra HD Steelbook with Digital, standard 4K, Blu-ray, DVD, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Plex, and Amazon Prime.