Biggest Spoiler Surprises in Superman

Major spoilers ahead for Superman (2025)

With the arrival of Superman in theaters worldwide as of July 11, fans finally have a chance to check out the epic surprises that await them in the DCU’s first movie. It’s a new start for DC with James Gunn at the helm, and there are plenty of fun surprises in store for those who want to check out this iconic take on an already iconic character.

Spoilers are bound to be ahead for Superman (2025) since this list will indulge in the meatiest of surprises featured in the movie, so caution is most certainly advised if audience members want to watch Superman spoiler-free.

Final spoiler warning for Superman (2025), as this list will heavily involve spoilers of the central plot!

7

The Justice Gang’s Willingness to Kill

These Heroes Don’t Do the No-Kill Thing

The Justice Gang is introduced as seemingly good, but also seemingly opposed to Superman’s strong sense of morality. The members consist of Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Mr. Terrific, and it seems that none of them have any quarrels when it comes to killing. Superman is extremely against death, so it’s rather intentionally jarring to see the Justice Gang go out of their way to kill their enemies just to make things easier. What’s even more of a surprise is how Hawkgirl killed the President of Boravia, showing that despite their willingness to help international conflicts, it won’t stop them from killing.

6

Jimmy Olsen, the Ladies Man

The Reluctant Man of Every Woman’s Dreams

It’s a running gag throughout Superman, but it turns out that the Daily Planet’s favorite photographer is also a favorite among the fairer sex. Every girl seems to swoon over Jimmy Olsen, and it’s quite a surprise to see, but a fun one. Jimmy Olsen has a fairly important role in Superman, but that’s not the surprising part – the true surprise comes from the fact that he seems not to be able to recognize that every girl wants him to be their best pal.

5

The Justice Society Mural

The JSA Has Been and Gone in the DCU

Heading deep into the work-in-progress version of the Hall of Justice, eagle-eyed fans will spot a few familiar faces, especially if they read the comics. On the interior walls and ceiling of the Hall of Justice are paintings dedicated to the Justice Society of America (JSA), the iconic group of elder heroes who came before Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman. The Justice Society mural is special for a few reasons, with the first being that it confirms that these characters exist and hold some importance, and the second being that heroes like Jay Garrick, the Spectre, and Wildcat all feature if audiences freeze frame by frame.

4

The Translated Message from Jor-El

The Kryptonians Are a Species of Conquerors

The largest shock of the entire Superman movie was the reveal of Jor-El’s message to his son, Kal-El. For years, Superman had listened to Jor-El’s message for the comfort and hope it provided him with. Superman led the charge as a hero, believing he was sent to Earth to protect its people, but the final part of the video from his Kryptonian parents, Jor-El and Lara, was lost to a malfunction. What used to soothe Superman quickly became his greatest fear, as Lex Luthor deciphered the complete recording of Jor-El and Lara and showed the world that the message was actually about how Jor-El and Lara sent the Last Son of Krypton to Earth for his survival, and to conquer Earth by having a harem of many wives and reproducing an empire to rule the planet. This was a shocking reveal, and a new change for Superman to tarnish his legacy, but it’s one that will inevitably be further explored to see if Luthor was telling the truth, especially since Kara Zor-El / Supergirl has her own heritage issues to deal with.

3

It’s Peacemaker!

Christopher Smith Has Kind Words to Say About His Biceps, But Not Superman

It’s a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one to see Christopher Smith appear once more for his DCU debut. Peacemaker, as a character, is one who has held immense confusion regarding his place, as aspects of the first season of Peacemaker are canon, and others are not. With the addition of Peacemaker in Superman, donning his iconic chrome dome helmet and red t-shirt, he proves the connected nature of the DCU with one quick cameo, and one that will surely surprise audiences who have seen The Suicide Squad and/or HBO Max’s Peacemaker series. The arrival of Peacemaker and his original costume indicates that this is our Peacemaker, and not one who’s managed to sneak through a multiverse portal to go through a few retcons and non-canonical outings to escape the DCEU.

2

Ultraman’s Identity Revealed

Lex Luthor’s Greatest Soldier Has the Face of His Greatest Enemy

One of the biggest mysteries surrounding Superman was that of the identity of Lex Luthor’s costumed and masked goon, Ultraman. Was Ultraman the evil version of Superman from Earth-3, or perhaps Henry Cavill himself? Maybe he was even Bizarro, or Parasite! Ultraman shows his face in the final battle between Superman and himself, and it turns out that Ultraman is… Superman! Ultraman is a clone of Superman created from a single strand of Superman’s hair by Lex Luthor. There’s definitely room for improvement, though, as this clone seems to have no emotion or a brain for free will outside of mute aggression, thus making him a mere prototype in what could eventually become Superboy, or perhaps even Bizarro.

1

Supergirl’s Arrival

Supergirl Returns for Krypto, and to Banter with Her Cousin

Perhaps the biggest shocker comes towards the very end of Superman, where all is right in the world again. Yet, trouble stirs up rather fast as Kara Zor-El, the cousin of Superman, comes bursting through the Fortress of Solitude to collect her dog, Krypto. Supergirl arrives in her iconic comic-accurate costume with the S on her chest, blue suit, and red skirt, all brought to life by Milly Alcock. Supergirl’s arrival is a teaser for the next chapter in the DCU’s movie slate, as Supergirl arrives in theaters on June 26, 2026, where fans will get to see more of her wild antics as she travels to different solar systems in search of a good time.