It’s a bird… it’s a plane… it’s Superman! That’s right — a new actor is stepping into the iconic cape. Following in the footsteps of legends like Christopher Reeve and Henry Cavill, David Corenswet will become the latest Man of Steel. After years in development, the highly anticipated Superman film finally soars into theaters on July 11. With all the hype surrounding this reboot, hundreds of Kalshi traders are already placing bets on its Rotten Tomatoes score.
But do their predictions hold up? Let’s take a closer look.
Why should you care about the new ‘Superman’ movie?
Superman has been a cultural icon for decades, but his last film projects were roiled with drama and unclear vision. Thanks to the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a massive craze for superhero movies swept the 2010s. DC Comics wanted to create a similar universe — the DC Extended Universe. Unfortunately, Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel was not a massive success.
Now, after directing multiple MCU films, DC Comics poached James Gunn to co-head the new DC Studios alongside Peter Safran. Gunn has directed, written, and co-produced the new Superman. This is the first Superman since Cavill’s introduction in 2013, and if successful, the first film in the new DC Universe.
Years of reworked scripts, teased projects, failed ideas, and shifting visions have led to mounting anticipation for the latest film. But the question is, will it be able to live up to all the hype?
‘Superman’ Rotten Tomatoes score Kalshi market
Launched on June 7, the Superman Rotten Tomatoes market has a trading volume of over $700,000. As of the morning of July 9, the current forecasted score is 83.5. The predictions have fluctuated slightly in the last month, with a peak of 86.5 and a low point of 77.8
Unsurprisingly, as the release date approaches, the anticipation continues to build, and traders grow more anxious about the film and its potential score. The market will resolve on July 14 at 10 a.m., which is hopefully when most of the reviews will be in on Rotten Tomatoes. Early reports have suggested a critic score of 85, but keep in mind not all reviews are in.
Is James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ a good movie?
The movie has not been released yet, but several factors may influence how the film is critically received. For one, you can take a look at James Gunn’s past Rotten Tomatoes history.
James Gunn’s Rotten Tomatoes history
Gunn has directed six feature films before 2025’s Superman, and four of them are superhero films. But how were they received critically? Let’s take a look:
| Movie | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
| Slither (2006) | 87 |
| Super (2010) | 50 |
| Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) | 92 |
| Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) | 85 |
| The Suicide Squad (2021) | 90 |
| Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) | 82 |
Gunn has an average Rotten Tomatoes score of 81. Similar to Superman, Gunn directed and wrote all of these films.
However, if you include only his MCU and DC movies, the average rises to about 87, which is even more impressive and is not far from the current projected score of 83.4 (as of Wednesday morning). Gunn has clearly sharpened his superhero movie-making skills and understands how to make films that resonate with critics. His track record alone strongly suggests this film could achieve a score of around 80 or higher.
‘Superman’ receives backlash for being an immigrant story
In a profile for The Times, Gunn told the reporter that Superman is an immigrant story. For fans of Superman’s story, this comes with zero surprise. Superman has always been an allegory for an immigrant story about a foreigner coming to Earth and finding a new life there. This is one of the beloved aspects of the character’s journey to finding a home away from home.
Unfortunately, this appears to be a surprise to some news outlets, which claim that Gunn has made Superman another “woke” film. This may influence critics who agree with such claims and feel that certain values are being imposed on audiences.
Kellyanne Conway: We don’t go to the movie theaters to be lectured on Superman
Jesse Watters: You know what it says on his cape? MS13
LLLMMFFAAOOOOO ?????pic.twitter.com/GAkj8qCSmb https://t.co/UKI2xIfViz
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) July 7, 2025
How is the new Superman movie tracking with early reviews?
So far, most reviews are positive, with a few negative ones scattered throughout. On July 8, the review embargo was lifted and the projected Rotten Tomatoes score jumped from 78 to 85 on Kalshi.
Film analyst Erik Voss said this was “the best movie James Gunn has directed.” Complimenting the film’s return to traditional comic book movies like Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. In fact, many early reviews are making that comparison.
James Gunn’s SUPERMAN is the comic book movie I’ve been waiting to see for decades.
The film shines with a sense of play that, paired with kickass filmmaking, superhero cinema hasn’t seen this boldly served since Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2.
The DC Universe is in good hands. pic.twitter.com/CgSxZuck51
— Erik Voss (@eavoss) July 8, 2025
However, some early viewers criticize Gunn’s witty or “corny” approach to the iconic superhero, claiming it doesn’t work compared to past adaptations. One Twitter user said it was “a scattered mess of epic proportions.”
James Gunn’s SUPERMAN is the comic book movie I’ve been waiting to see for decades.
The film shines with a sense of play that, paired with kickass filmmaking, superhero cinema hasn’t seen this boldly served since Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2.
The DC Universe is in good hands. pic.twitter.com/CgSxZuck51
— Erik Voss (@eavoss) July 8, 2025
Chances the new Superman movie will get a high Rotten Tomatoes score
James Gunn’s Superman is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about superhero films in years, blending nostalgia with a modern, personal vision. Between Gunn’s strong critical track record, early social buzz, and the film’s potential to reset the DC Universe, the odds look promising for a solid Rotten Tomatoes score.
While some backlash and divided reactions are inevitable for a character this iconic, Superman seems poised to win over most fans and critics alike. For those betting on Kalshi, many traders are putting money behind the belief that this Superman can truly fly.
