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James Gunn’s highly anticipated 2025 film “Superman” marks a pivotal moment in superhero cinema, not only for its fresh take on the iconic character but for its bold musical approach that honors the past while forging a new sonic identity. Unlike Gunn’s previous work on the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, which was famous for its eclectic mixtape soundtracks, Superman takes a decidedly orchestral approach, creating what the director describes as “a much, much more of a score film” with “this incredibly beautiful score” crafted by composers John Murphy and David Fleming.
The film’s musical landscape represents a fascinating convergence of cinematic traditions, where the score incorporates John Williams’ main theme from the original 1978 film while establishing its own distinctive voice. This approach reflects Gunn’s understanding that Superman’s musical legacy is as iconic as the character himself, requiring both reverence and innovation to serve the story effectively.
Released by WaterTower Music on July 4, 2025, the soundtrack presents 33 tracks with a duration of 1 hour and 9 minutes, offering listeners a comprehensive journey through the emotional and heroic landscapes of this new Superman narrative.
The Compositional Partnership
The collaboration between John Murphy and David Fleming represents one of the most intriguing aspects of the Superman soundtrack. Murphy, known for his work on films like “28 Days Later” and “Kick-Ass,” brings a contemporary sensibility to superhero scoring, while Fleming, an Emmy-winning composer who has written music for HBO’s “The Last of Us” Season 2 and A24’s upcoming projects, contributes a nuanced understanding of character-driven storytelling through music.
This partnership was formalized when David Fleming was revealed to be contributing some music and sharing credit for the score with Murphy in April 2025, creating a collaborative approach that allows each composer’s strengths to complement the other throughout the film’s narrative arc.
Honoring the Williams Legacy
One of the most significant decisions in the film’s musical conception was the integration of John Williams’ legendary Superman theme. This choice required careful consideration of how to honor the musical legacy that has defined Superman in popular culture for nearly five decades while creating space for new thematic material.
Superman Main Theme (Original, John Williams)
Trivia: John Williams’ original Superman theme, composed for the 1978 film, remains one of the most recognizable superhero themes in cinema history. The decision to incorporate it into Gunn’s film required careful orchestration and arrangement to ensure it complemented the new score rather than overshadowing it. The integration demonstrates respect for the character’s musical legacy while establishing the creative team’s ability to build upon established foundations.
Orchestral Approach and Cinematic Scope
Unlike the pop music-heavy approach of Gunn’s previous superhero films, Superman embraces a traditional orchestral score that emphasizes symphonic storytelling. This decision reflects both the character’s classical heroic nature and the film’s ambitious scope as a foundational entry in the new DC Universe.
Home
In the film: Opening the soundtrack, “Home” establishes the emotional and musical foundation for Clark Kent’s journey. Fleming’s composition introduces key thematic material that will develop throughout the film, creating a sense of place and belonging that speaks to Superman’s dual identity as both alien and earthling. The track serves as both literal and metaphorical establishment of home, setting the stage for the character’s evolution.
Trivia: As the opening track composed by David Fleming, “Home” demonstrates the collaborative nature of the score by immediately establishing musical themes that will be developed by both composers throughout the album. The track’s placement at the beginning of the soundtrack indicates its importance as a thematic cornerstone that informs the entire musical journey.
Last Son
In the film: Fleming’s “Last Son” delves into Superman’s unique position as the sole survivor of Krypton, exploring themes of isolation, responsibility, and heritage through orchestral storytelling. The music underscores the weight of being the last representative of an entire civilization while suggesting the hope and potential that comes with that legacy.
Trivia: The title “Last Son” directly references Superman’s status as the final survivor of Krypton, a central element of the character’s mythology. Fleming’s composition for this track likely incorporates musical elements that evoke both loss and determination, reflecting the duality of Superman’s origin story and its impact on his heroic identity.
Thematic Character Development
The soundtrack demonstrates sophisticated character development through musical themes, with different composers taking responsibility for various character arcs and relationships within the film.
LuthorCorp
In the film: John Murphy’s composition for “LuthorCorp” establishes the musical identity of Superman’s corporate antagonist, likely incorporating themes that reflect both the public face of Lex Luthor’s business empire and the sinister undercurrents of his true intentions. The music serves to characterize the institutional power that opposes Superman’s more personal heroism.
Trivia: Murphy’s approach to scoring corporate villainy draws on his experience with complex antagonists in previous films. The track title suggests a focus on the institutional rather than personal aspects of Luthor’s threat, indicating that the score treats the villain as both individual and system.
The Daily Planet
In the film: Fleming’s “The Daily Planet” captures the bustling energy and journalistic integrity of Clark Kent’s workplace, creating a musical environment that reflects both the chaos of a modern newsroom and the idealistic pursuit of truth that drives quality journalism. The music likely serves to establish the civilian side of Superman’s dual identity.
Trivia: The Daily Planet has been a central location in Superman mythology since the character’s creation, representing the intersection of Clark Kent’s civilian identity with his heroic mission. Fleming’s musical interpretation of this iconic location demonstrates the score’s attention to the supporting elements that make Superman’s world feel lived-in and authentic.
Lois & Clark
In the film: Murphy’s “Lois & Clark” explores the central romantic relationship of the Superman mythos, creating musical themes that capture both the professional partnership and personal connection between these characters. The music likely balances the excitement of their journalistic collaboration with the deeper emotional resonance of their romantic relationship.
Trivia: The relationship between Lois Lane and Clark Kent/Superman has been a defining element of the character since his creation. Murphy’s musical approach to this relationship must balance multiple dynamics: the professional respect between two journalists, the romantic attraction between Lois and Clark, and the dramatic irony of Lois’s relationship with Superman’s secret identity.
Action and Adventure Sequences
The score’s approach to action sequences reflects both composers’ understanding of how music can enhance superhero spectacle while maintaining emotional connection to character development.
Justice Gang vs. Kaiju
In the film: This track appears to score a major action sequence involving team-based heroics against a massive threat, suggesting that the film includes other heroic characters alongside Superman. The music likely builds to epic proportions while maintaining clear thematic development for each character involved in the confrontation.
Trivia: The inclusion of “Justice Gang” in the track title suggests that Superman’s 2025 incarnation exists within a broader heroic community, potentially setting up future DC Universe films. The “vs. Kaiju” element indicates large-scale action that requires orchestral scoring capable of matching the visual spectacle while maintaining musical coherence.
Hammer of Boravia
In the film: Fleming’s “Hammer of Boravia” likely scores action sequences involving international or supernatural elements, with the title suggesting either a specific weapon or location that plays a significant role in the film’s plot. The music probably balances cultural specificity with the universal themes of heroism and conflict.
Trivia: The specific reference to “Boravia” suggests that the film incorporates fictional Eastern European elements, possibly drawing on Superman comic storylines that involve international intrigue or supernatural threats. Fleming’s composition for this sequence demonstrates the score’s ability to adapt to various geographical and cultural contexts within the Superman narrative.
Emotional and Character Moments
Beyond action and spectacle, the soundtrack dedicates significant attention to quieter, more introspective moments that develop character relationships and internal conflicts.
Secret Harem
In the film: This collaborative track by Fleming and Murphy appears to score scenes involving concealed identities or hidden relationships, possibly relating to Superman’s secret identity or other characters’ concealed motivations. The music likely creates an atmosphere of intimacy mixed with tension, reflecting the emotional complexity of maintaining secrets while building genuine relationships.
Trivia: The collaboration between Fleming and Murphy on this track suggests a pivotal sequence that requires both composers’ thematic materials, indicating a moment where multiple character arcs or plot elements converge. The title’s suggestion of secrecy aligns with the central theme of dual identity that defines Superman’s character.
Something Like a Sun
In the film: This track title suggests music that accompanies moments of hope, renewal, or heroic inspiration, possibly scoring Superman’s emergence as a public figure or moments where his presence brings light to dark situations. The music likely captures the aspirational quality that makes Superman a symbol of hope.
Trivia: The sun imagery directly connects to Superman’s Kryptonian heritage and his dependence on Earth’s yellow sun for his powers. Musical representation of solar themes allows the composers to explore both the literal source of Superman’s abilities and the metaphorical representation of hope and renewal that the character embodies.
The music of Superman (2025) represents both a return to classical superhero film scoring traditions and a bold step forward in creating new musical languages for iconic characters. Through the collaborative efforts of John Murphy and David Fleming, the film presents a soundtrack that honors the past while establishing its own distinctive voice, creating a musical foundation worthy of the Last Son of Krypton’s return to cinema. The score’s integration of John Williams’ legendary themes with new orchestral material demonstrates that film music can serve as a bridge between different generations of storytelling, allowing new interpretations to build upon established foundations while creating space for fresh artistic expression. As Superman takes flight once again, his musical accompaniment ensures that the emotional and heroic resonance of his story will continue to inspire audiences for generations to come.
