James Gunn's "Superman," the highly anticipated reboot of the DC Universe, is aiming beyond blockbuster status. Director James Gunn and Warner Bros. Pictures are strategically positioning the summer tentpole for awards season, officially submitting the film for consideration in the Golden Globe Awards' "Best Motion Picture – Drama" category, signaling an ambitious push to redefine the Man of Steel's cinematic image with a more serious tone.
An exclusive report from Variety reveals that Warner Bros. has submitted "Superman" for numerous drama categories. These include "Best Motion Picture – Drama," with David Corenswet vying for "Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama," Rachel Brosnahan for "Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture," and Nicholas Hoult for "Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture." James Gunn himself is also up for "Best Director – Motion Picture" and "Best Screenplay – Motion Picture." Additionally, the original song "The Mighty Crabjoy’s Theme" has been submitted for consideration.
At the box office, "Superman" has already crossed the $150 million global mark, making it eligible for the Golden Globe's "Cinematic and Box Office Achievement" award. The film currently stands as the third-highest-grossing movie of 2025 in North America, trailing only "Lilo & Stitch" and "A Minecraft Movie."
Gunn's strategy to submit "Superman" in drama categories aims to underscore a more profound, thoughtful dimension of the hero who embodies "truth, justice, and the American way." Critics have noted that the film delves beyond Clark Kent's human struggles, exploring his profound sense of isolation as an alien. Furthermore, the movie's depiction of the fictional Eastern European nation of Borovia invading the impoverished country of Jahampur has led some viewers to interpret it as an allegory for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, though Warner Bros. has not officially commented on this.
Beyond its Golden Globe drama bids, "Superman" is also generating significant buzz for potential Oscar technical nominations. Insiders suggest the film is a strong contender for Best Visual Effects, with the upcoming "Avatar" sequel cited as a key competitor. The movie's sound and makeup teams have also garnered considerable praise.
However, the film's new score, composed by John Murphy and David Fleming, will not be eligible for Best Original Score at the Oscars. This is reportedly due to its extensive incorporation of John Williams' iconic 1978 "Superman" theme, which is said to fall short of the Academy's originality requirements.
Historically, DC films have found success at the Golden Globe Awards. The 2019 release "Joker" notably won Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama and Best Original Score – Motion Picture, going on to secure multiple Academy Awards. Furthermore, Gunn's own "Guardians of the Galaxy" franchise has consistently received awards season recognition.
The full list of Golden Globe nominations is set to be announced on December 8, 2025. Should "Superman" secure significant nominations, it would mark a substantial achievement for DC Studios and further solidify James Gunn's vision for a new era of superhero cinema.
via： Variety