[Movie Reviews]: Superman 2025 Christian Review – 7 Biblical Themes You'll Actually Notice (And 3 Red Flags)

Christian Safety Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5 stars) Recommended for ages 8 and up

The new Superman movie just landed, and Christian families are asking the same question: Is this safe for my kids, and what messages will they absorb? After watching James Gunn's fresh take on the Man of Steel, I can tell you this much, it's far more family-friendly than most superhero films, but it comes with some serious conversation starters you'll want to be ready for.

Let's break down exactly what you'll see on screen, from the powerful biblical parallels to the theological gaps that might surprise you.

What Parents Need to Know First

Before we dive into themes, here are the hard facts:

• Curse words: 0 (completely clean language)

• Sexual content: None

• Gore/graphic violence: 0 (all action is bloodless and comic-book style)

• Blasphemy: None detected

• Frightening scenes: Moderate (city destruction, battles, similar to Marvel films but less intense)

This is genuinely one of the cleanest superhero films in recent memory. You won't find yourself covering your kid's eyes or explaining why someone just dropped an F-bomb during dinner fight scenes.

The 7 Biblical Themes You'll Actually Notice

1. Kindness Matters, Even in Chaos

In the middle of an explosive battle scene, Superman takes a moment to rescue a stray squirrel. It's a small detail, but it's intentional. The film hammers home this message: compassion isn't reserved for grand moments, it's practiced in the margins.

This mirrors Jesus' teaching in Matthew 10:29-31, where He reminds us that not even a sparrow falls without the Father's notice. If Superman pauses mid-battle for a squirrel, how much more does God care for each of us?

2. Self-Sacrifice Over Self-Preservation

Superman repeatedly puts himself in harm's way to shield others. He doesn't calculate risk versus reward, he simply acts. This reflects the ultimate example of Christ laying down His life (John 15:13). While the film doesn't explicitly connect these dots, Christian parents can easily draw the parallel during your post-movie ice cream debrief.

3. Every Single Person Matters

The tagline "Truth, Justice, and the Human Way" (replacing the old "American Way") emphasizes universal human dignity. Superman doesn't save only Americans, only the wealthy, or only those who deserve it. He saves everyone because everyone has intrinsic worth.

This echoes Imago Dei, the biblical truth that every person is created in God's image (Genesis 1:27). It's a beautiful foundation for discussing why Christians should value all human life, from the womb to the tomb, across every nation and background.

4. Hope Is a Choice

In a world that feels increasingly chaotic and divided, Superman chooses hope. He believes in humanity's potential for good, even when evidence suggests otherwise. The film presents hope not as naive optimism but as an act of defiance against despair.

Romans 15:13 calls God the "God of hope," and believers are instructed to hold fast to hope even in suffering. Superman's unwavering hope, though not explicitly rooted in Christ, can remind Christian families that our hope is anchored in something (Someone) even more solid than a superhero.

5. Power Used for Service, Not Dominance

Superman has nearly unlimited power. He could rule. He could demand worship. He could force compliance. Instead, he chooses to serve. He kneels to comfort frightened children. He listens to ordinary people's concerns. He uses his strength to lift others up, not to elevate himself.

This is servant leadership straight out of Philippians 2:3-8, where Paul describes Jesus, who, "being in very nature God", took on the form of a servant. The parallel is impossible to miss, even if the film doesn't name it.

6. Moral Compass Shaped by Love

Superman's adoptive parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent, raised him with love, patience, and moral guidance. The film shows how their consistent encouragement cultivated his character. He didn't become a hero by accident, he was mentored into heroism.

Christian parents will recognize the Deuteronomy 6:6-7 principle here: Values are taught in the everyday moments, at home, through relationship. The movie validates what we already know, that intentional, loving parenting shapes the next generation's character.

7. Justice Rooted in Mercy

Superman doesn't simply punish villains; he seeks restoration where possible. He fights for justice, yes, but he tempers it with mercy. He's quick to forgive and slow to condemn.

This reflects God's character as described in Micah 6:8, to "act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly." Superman embodies this balance, making him a hero worth studying even if the theological framework is incomplete.

The 3 Red Flags Christian Families Should Discuss

As much as I appreciate the moral foundation of this film, I need to be honest about where it falls short from a Christian worldview. These aren't dealbreakers, but they are conversation starters.

Red Flag #1: Goodness Without God

The film celebrates kindness, mercy, and self-sacrifice, but it never asks, Where does this goodness come from? Superman is good because he chooses to be good. Full stop. There's no acknowledgment of a Creator who defines goodness, no moral lawgiver, no transcendent truth.

This is textbook secular humanism. It assumes that human beings are naturally capable of goodness on their own, apart from divine grace. As Christians, we know that "all have sinned" (Romans 3:23) and that our ability to do good flows from God's transforming work in us (Ephesians 2:10).

Parent tip: After the movie, ask your kids, "Why do you think Superman chooses to help people? Where do you think kindness comes from?" Then gently guide them toward the idea that love, mercy, and justice aren't random, they reflect God's character.

Red Flag #2: No Christ-Figure Imagery

Previous Superman films, especially Zack Snyder's versions, were loaded with Christ parallels. Crucifixion poses, resurrection themes, sacrificial imagery. James Gunn's Superman deliberately avoids all of that. There's no religious symbolism, no nods to faith, no acknowledgment of anything beyond human potential.

This isn't necessarily bad, but it's intentional. Gunn appears to be distancing Superman from the "Superman-as-Jesus" interpretation, which leaves a theological vacuum. Superman becomes a moral teacher (like secular culture views Jesus) but not a savior figure.

Parent tip: Point out that Superman is inspiring, but he's not a savior. Only Jesus saves. Superman can rescue people from physical danger, but he can't rescue anyone from sin, death, or separation from God. That's Jesus' job alone.

Red Flag #3: Morality Becomes Subjective

If goodness isn't rooted in God, it's rooted in...what? Personal preference? Cultural consensus? Superman's individual choice? The film doesn't answer this, and that's dangerous. Without an objective moral standard, "goodness" becomes whatever society decides at any given moment.

Christians believe that morality is grounded in God's unchanging character (Hebrews 13:8). What is good, true, and just doesn't shift with the cultural winds. Superman's morality is admirable, but the film doesn't give us a reason why it's admirable beyond "It feels right."

Parent tip: Use this as a teaching moment about moral relativism versus biblical truth. Ask your kids, "If Superman decided tomorrow that lying was okay, would that make it okay?" Help them see that truth isn't flexible, it's anchored in God.

Should Christian Families Watch This Movie?

Short answer: Yes, with intentionality.

Superman 2025 is one of the most family-friendly superhero films in years. It's clean, it's inspiring, and it models virtues that align closely with Christian values. Your kids won't be exposed to graphic content, and you'll have plenty of positive themes to discuss afterward.

But don't let them absorb the secular humanism without addressing it. This movie is a fantastic springboard for deeper conversations about where goodness comes from, why Jesus is different from Superman, and what it means to be a true hero in God's kingdom.

Conversation Starters for the Drive Home

• "What was your favorite moment when Superman helped someone?"

• "Why do you think he chose to save people instead of becoming famous or rich?"

• "Do you think people are naturally good, or do we need God's help to be kind?"

• "How is Superman different from Jesus? How are they similar?"

• "If you had superpowers, how would you use them to serve others?"

These questions turn a fun movie night into a discipleship opportunity. Don't waste it.

The Takeaway

Superman 2025 is a morally strong film that celebrates virtues every Christian parent wants to instill in their children: kindness, mercy, self-sacrifice, and hope. It's safe, it's inspiring, and it's worth watching together as a family.

But it's not a spiritual film. It doesn't point viewers toward Christ, and it doesn't ground its moral vision in God's character. That's not a reason to skip it: it's a reason to stay engaged. Watch it with your kids. Ask questions. Fill in the gaps. Show them that Superman is admirable, but Jesus is incomparable.

Use this movie as a tool, not a replacement for biblical teaching. And when your kids inevitably ask, "Can I be a hero like Superman?" tell them yes: by loving like Jesus, serving like Jesus, and pointing others to Jesus.

---

Want more Christian movie reviews and faith-based content for your family? Visit laynemcdonald.com for practical resources on raising kids who love God in a confusing world. And if you're looking for a church community that meets you where you are, check out Boundless Online Church.

reach out to me on the site. Every visit helps support the mission: visiting helps raise funds for families who lost children at no cost.

Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341.

Follow for more reviews and stay updated when new faith-based content drops. Let's navigate this culture together.