A lesser-known film linked to the legacy of Superman and made by James Gunn, now part of Netflix’s December 2025 streaming lineup, has resurfaced years before Gunn’s official Superman project. The James Gunn Superman movie Netflix viewers can now access is “Brightburn,” a dark spin on the superhero story that originally premiered in 2019, focusing on the darker possibilities behind the familiar origin tale.
James Gunn’s Early Take on the Superman Archetype Arrives on Netflix
Long before the highly anticipated release of Gunn and Peter Safran’s Superman in the evolving DC Universe, Gunn was involved in a unique project that reimagined the classic mythos. “Brightburn,” directed by David Yarovesky and penned by Gunn’s brothers, Brian Gunn and Mark Gunn, first appeared in theaters in 2019. The film stands out as a provocative entry, grossing $33 million worldwide compared to its modest $6 million production budget, though it did not match the box office heights of more traditional superhero movies like Superman’s massive earnings of $616 million.
Now included in Netflix’s fresh batch of December arrivals, “Brightburn” introduces audiences to Brandon Breyer—an alien child raised by human parents in rural America who, instead of embracing heroism, begins to follow a far more sinister path. The film hit the streaming platform on December 1st, offering a chilling narrative that twists familiar elements into new territory.
Reimagining the Legend: “Brightburn” as an Anti-Superman Story
While not a Superman film in name, “Brightburn” could not avoid the striking resemblances to the iconic Man of Steel. Both stories focus on a young outsider from another world, cared for by Earthly parents after arriving on the planet in a spacecraft, but the similarities soon end as the film spins into horror. Instead of becoming a symbol of hope, Brandon’s journey is marked by escalating darkness and brutality, cementing the film’s place as a chilling anti-Superman tale.
Jackson A. Dunn embodies the character’s unsettling nature, providing a performance that underscores the film’s intensity. Unlike the hopeful trajectory of Clark Kent, Brandon Breyer uses his superhuman abilities not to protect, but to pursue his dangerous desires, making every character in the film vulnerable. The R rating ensures the violence and terror are front and center, crafting vivid, unsettling scenes that place “Brightburn” among the more extreme interpretations of the superhero genre.
The exploration of what might happen if superhuman power fell into the wrong hands is a central theme in “Brightburn.” The story’s relentless pace and chilling turns make it a rarity in the landscape of superhero cinema, combining superhero tropes with the slasher horror tradition. As a result, viewers are left with a sense of unease and lingering questions about the true nature of power and destiny.
James Gunn on the Future of “Brightburn” and His Superman Vision
Despite its cult popularity, Gunn has not pursued a sequel to “Brightburn.” Last year, addressing ideas about a potential follow-up, Gunn candidly expressed,
it’s unlikely that it will ever happen,
—James Gunn, Filmmaker. This comment underscores his commitment to new projects, including his current work on “Superman” and the upcoming film “Man of Tomorrow,” which is on track for a July 9, 2027 release date.
While “Brightburn” will likely remain a standalone project, its reappearance on Netflix as the James Gunn Superman movie Netflix subscribers can now rediscover or catch for the first time, highlights Gunn’s willingness to experiment within the superhero genre. The comparison between “Brightburn” and the established Superman myth continues to fascinate fans and critics alike, prompting ongoing discussion about alternate superhero narratives.
Netflix’s December Additions Expand Viewing Options
The arrival of “Brightburn” is just one highlight in a larger wave of new films and series debuting on Netflix in December. Alongside Gunn’s horror superhero flick, subscribers can also enjoy classics such as “A League of Their Own,” family comedies like “Cheaper by the Dozen,” the full “Kung Fu Panda” trilogy, Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction,” and the modern war drama “Zero Dark Thirty.”
More titles are rolling out throughout the month, including the Viking epic “The Northman” on December 3rd, Tom Hanks’ castaway survival film “Cast Away” on December 7th, and the much-anticipated
“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”
on December 12th. This variety reflects Netflix’s ongoing commitment to offering a wide spectrum of genres, ensuring options for all types of viewers.
The Broader Influence and Significance of “Brightburn” in Superhero Cinema
As streaming services like Netflix continue to grow their offerings, projects such as “Brightburn” stand out for challenging the norms of superhero storytelling. By casting a familiar pattern in a horrifying new light, the film expands the boundaries of what superhero movies can represent—showing not only how heroes might save the world, but how immense power could just as easily threaten it.
The renewed attention from being featured as a James Gunn Superman movie Netflix audiences can stream will likely spark fresh debates about the potential for subversive takes in comic book-inspired cinema. With Gunn turning his creative focus to the official DC Universe, including “Superman” and the upcoming “Man of Tomorrow,” “Brightburn” marks a fascinating point in his career—a project that dared to ask: what if Superman’s journey took a darker route?
