WARNING: THERE WILL BE SPOILERS ON POINT 15.

Two of the biggest comic book movies just came out on the big screen, and fans all over the world are watching them, whether once or twice. With that being said, which one is the best CBM of 2025? Here's my review.

1. Scriptwriting

Winner: Superman

I love, I get scared, I wake up every morning, and despite not knowing what to do, I put one foot in front of the other, and I try to make the best choices I can. I screw up all the time, but that is being human. That's my greatest strength.”

His name is James Gunn because the Gunn never jams. Gunn delivered stunning scriptwriting with an amazing tribute to the Superman character. When I heard this quote from Superman and the scene where Pa Kent was giving his speech, I felt warmth in my heart. What I also appreciated about this film is the funny moments with Guy Gardner and the romantic chemistry between Superman and Lois Lane.

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2. Plot

Winner: Superman

The plot of Superman doesn’t only revolve around him beating up the bad guys, living as an impersonation of a reporter at the Daily Planet, and taking care of his cousin’s aggressive dog, Krypto; it also revolves around him trying to understand and face the challenges of being a hero everyone relies on and embracing his Kryptonian heritage and powers. With that, I am grateful.

3. Visuals

Winner: Fantastic Four

There's always one of those movie companies that can make a black hole look so visually pleasing, and that includes Marvel Studios. When I watched Fantastic Four: First Steps in theaters 4 times, I was hooked on the visuals of Sue Storm’s force fields, Johnny’s fire, Galactus’ eyes, Shalla-Bal’s reflective skin, and the space sequences. I can absolutely give F4 the W for this.

However, Superman comes in close because of the black hole sequence with Metamorpho, his baby Joey, Superman, and Krypto. I was clutched to my seat when that happened, and I was moved by the beautiful visuals.

4. Colorful Atmosphere

Winner: Both

I was a bit unsure on which movie has the best atmosphere, specifically which one looks more colorful and interesting, so I chose both! The scene where Superman got arrested by the Engineer and Ultraman and then walked off the helicopter, I was stunned at how colorful the scene looked, especially his suit. The suits for all characters looked beautifully made and colorful as well, and I am very happy to have witnessed it.

Fantastic Four comes in as a slight second because I find the suits and the Baxter Building interior stunning. It was wonderfully and thoughtfully made, and I am hyped for future projects to have the same atmosphere—or better.

5. Villain Performances

Winner: Superman

There’s nothing I would rather do at this moment than watch Superman one more time just to see Nicholas Hoult’s performance as Lex Luthor. His comic-accurate personality, portrayal, and actions are what make me lean forward in my seat just to focus more on him.

The “1A” part is what makes my adrenaline rush go through the roof. There were some scenes where I was a little mad at him, specifically the parts where he killed Malik, destroyed the robots, and called Krypto “an ugly dog in a cape,” but if a character makes me mad, then the actor did an amazing job, and that’s Nicholas Hoult.

The Engineer and Ultraman were very good as well, although I was confused as to why the Engineer shifted herself to fight the robots behind her instead of just turning around.

6. Hero Performances

Winner: Both but leaning towards Superman

When I say Marvel Studios is locked in with Marvel’s first family, I mean that. After releasing slop after slop and making our beloved heroes suffer under low-quality CGI and rushed action for the past 4 years, they got up and did wonders for one of Marvel’s greatest superhero teams. Each character contributed in their own outstanding way, and when Sue Storm was pushing Galactus into the black hole, that’s when I locked my eyes on the big screen.

This review isn’t only about Superman; it includes the Justice Gang as well. Guy Gardner, Mr. Terrific, and Hawkgirl had wonderful hero performances, especially when Mr.

Terrific was fighting all the LuthorCorp guards while keeping Lois Lane safe in a bubble and Guy Gardner was protecting the citizens of Jarhanpur. However, my only con is minimal use of Hawkgirl and how we only saw her use her powers during the battle in Metropolis and her dropping and killing the Boravian President. Nonetheless, these performances were enjoyable.

7. Symbolism

Winner: Superman

Being a fan of Superman, the symbolism in this film made my heart sing a thousand times. Living in a world full of chaos, fear, and violence orchestrated by a corrupt billionaire and a criminal government that invades countries and separates families without regard for a child’s human life and rights, Superman symbolizes hope and justice for all individuals, no matter if they hate him or love him. In other words, David Corenswet’s Superman is about saving people, protecting the Earth, and stopping greedy billionaires leading corrupt corporations, not “aura farming.”

8. Action Sequences

Winner: Both

I will always pay respect to Henry Cavil Superman's heat vision, but Corenswet's one is just peak cinema. The action sequences where Superman was fighting his evil clone, riveting down the black hole, and killing every bot with heat vision in a circular motion were just perfect. Every pixel of every action scene was perfect. Not only are the sequences heart-pounding, but it also pays full respect to the character and to the Superman comics.

The same goes for Fantastic Four. Not only did Matt Shakman succeeded at making every action moment in Fantastic Four caressing to the naked eye, but he delivered every bit of comic-accuracy as he can into the scenes with Galactus, the black hole, etc.

9. Casting

Winner: Both

If I were to meet David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Edi Gathegi, Nicholas Hoult, Vanessa Kirby, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach in one room, I would hand each one of them a 2000-word essay on why their performances were so incredible that they deserve an Oscar. I watched both films in the theater an abundant amount of times, and every time I watched them, it felt like I was next to the actors/actresses. It felt like I was seeing peak superhero cinema.

10. IMAX

Winner: Fantastic Four

If you're not watching Fantastic Four in IMAX, you're not watching it the right way. Select scenes, specifically the scenes with Galactus, which expanded to the IMAX's 1:43:1 aspect ratio, the same aspect ratio used in films with IMAX 70 mm. If you haven't yet, you must watch Fantastic Four in IMAX to enjoy the elegant visuals and expansion yourself.

11. Character Development

Winner: Fantastic Four

The only character development that hasn't been set up for Mr. Fantastic, Human Torch, and the Thing yet is how to set up a car seat.

This film was a very good way to build the four members’ storyline and character development; it is also a good way to introduce the Fantastic Four to individuals who don't know much of the F4. Not only did they showcase the impact of their powers and fully display them instead of just cutting out some for the sake of runtimes and pacing, but they also made a gateway for them to use their powers to the max against another big bad villain to establish their iconic figure (my savings are DOOMED in 2026).

12. Romance

Winner: Superman

Oooo—look at me, I just saved the city against some robots, a hateful billionaire, and a giant kaiju, and now I'm going to go celebrate by kissing my girlfriend as I use my powers to fly us up to the top of the glass ceiling (clap, clap, clap, clap).

The romance between Superman and Lois Lane throughout every scene of theirs is just heartwarming and hilarious as well. If there was a movie solely based on Superman and Lois Lane's whole relationship, I would buy seven tickets just for me.

13. Soundtrack

Winner: Superman

Do me a favor: after you watch Superman, search up on Spotify: “5 Years Time” by Noah and the Whale, and you will be flying all over the room.

The Superman soundtrack was one of the best CBM soundtracks to ever come out. Every scene, including the Mr. Terrific scene, was enjoyable and fun, fun, fun to listen to. The Fantastic Four soundtrack was also good to listen to as well, but Superman delivers every bit of impeccable songs to listen to, even when you're out of the theater.

14. Costume Design

Winner: Fantastic Four

The Fantastic Four was introduced in November 1961, and they became Marvel's first superhero team. The fact that it took them 36 films, seventeen years, and six phases to finally introduce these outstanding retro suits is insulting.

It has a great black and white belt design, the best “4” placement, and the blue and white color combo fits perfectly for the 1960s rather than a dark blue or black Spandex costume with the “4” being so unnecessarily dark and/or lowered to the stomach. These suits were designed by Oscar-winning costume designer Alexandra Byrne, and let's just say she has another Oscar incoming.

15. Mid/Post-Credit Scenes

Winner: Fantastic Four

Someone play All Caps by Madvillain, Madlib, and MF Doom because DOOM IS HERE. In the mid-credits scene of Fantastic Four, after the fantastic illustrations in the credits, we jump four years into the future, where we see Sue Storm reading a book to Franklin Richards, who is now 4 years old and more powerful than most of the Marvel Universe.

Sue Storm gets Franklin another book to read, but when Sue gets a book and tries to go back into the living room of the Baxter Building, she hears an odd warping sound. As she’s walking into the living room, she prepares her force field. Behind the television, we see Franklin reaching his left hand to Doom’s face with a curious and scared face.

Doom is holding his iconic mask with his left hand and holding up Franklin’s arm with his right. The scene ends with a foreshadowing statement that says, “The Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday.” If that entire scene didn’t get you hyped in the theater, you are not yet ready for Doomsday.

The cartoon scene in the second post-credit scene was very good as well. It pays a respectful tribute to Jack Kirby (the creator of the Fantastic Four) by showing a Fantastic Four animation and a memorable quote at the end of the credits that says,

If you look at my characters, you will find me. No matter what kind of character you create or assume, a little of yourself must remain there.

- Jack Kirby, who was born on 8/28/1917 and died on 2/6/1994.

The scene ends with a neat H.E.R.B.I.E farewell.

16. Overall Best CBM of 2025 👑

Winner: Superman

There is no word in the English language that can perfectly encapsulate how much I enjoyed this movie. James Gunn was left with a script, a camera, and a cast, and he turned it into a Michelin-star meal for DC fans. Not only does this film put respect on the Corenswet and Superman names, but it smoothly sets up the next story about someone with a crazier moral standing than Superman. All things aside, this movie serves as a myriad of cinematic elements that will last for many years to come.

Conclusion

Superman takes the helm for the best CBM of 2025, and I highly recommend it to people, whether they're big superhero fans or not. Please do not be discouraged from not watching Fantastic Four because of one article saying Superman is superior. Everyone has different opinions and viewpoints, and they should not be changed because of another person's words.