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Celluloid

mcu matchup

Superman vs The Dark Knight

Side-by-side Celluloid Scores, four-input breakdown, country/runtime context, and an editorial angle — built for quick answers and AI citation.

Quick Answer: How does Superman (2025) compare to The Dark Knight?

The Dark Knight leads on Celluloid Score (90% vs 74%). The Dark Knight remains the prestige Batman ceiling; Superman (2025) is a brighter, modern reset — not a like-for-like rematch. Scores combine verified editorial and independent rating inputs.

The matchup

The Dark Knight remains the prestige Batman ceiling; Superman (2025) is a brighter, modern reset — not a like-for-like rematch.

Cross-era DC comparison for searchers stacking hope-core Superman against Nolan’s crime-epic Batman. Scores, tone, and runtime expectations diverge sharply; this page is for calibration, not declaring a single “winner” across decades.

Full ranking of released 2026 titles: Best of 2026. More head-to-heads: Compare hub.

Superman (2025)

James Gunn · Action, Sci-Fi, Adventure · 2h 9m

United States · English · Jul 11, 2025

74%
Celluloid Score Recommended

Pulling off the heroic feat of fleshing out a dynamic new world while putting its champion's big, beating heart front and center, this Superman flies high as a Man of Tomorrow grounded in the here and now.

When Superman's actions abroad and at home draw public scrutiny, Lex Luthor exploits the backlash to turn the world against the Man of Steel. Lois Lane and Krypto must help Clark remember that kindness — not cynicism — is still his greatest power.

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The Dark Knight (2008)

Christopher Nolan · Action, Crime · 2h 32m

United States · English · Jun 15, 2008

90%
Celluloid Score Celluloid Pick

Heath Ledger's Joker and Nolan's moral gravity make this the benchmark modern superhero film.

Batman raises the stakes in Gotham when the Joker unleashes chaos designed to prove that heroism itself can be corrupted from within.

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Score breakdown

Signal Superman The Dark Knight
Celluloid Score 74% 90%
Editorial rating 83/100 94/100
Audience snapshot (excluded) 90% 94%
Metascore 68 84
Letterboxd 3.6 4.5
IMDb 7.2 9.1
Runtime 2h 9m 2h 32m
Country United States United States

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