Reign of the Supermen – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Reign of the Supermen

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2019

61%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Four Superman wannabes fight for the cape after the Man of Steel dies—darker DC animation that's more 'Reign of Fire' than 'Super Friends.'

6.8/10

93%

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Reign of the Supermen

movie

PG-13, 2019

61%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Four Superman wannabes fight for the cape after the Man of Steel dies—darker DC animation that's more 'Reign of Fire' than 'Super Friends.'

6.8

93%

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6.8/10

93%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is a perfectly fine DC animated movie if you're already deep in the Superman mythos and want to see the 'Reign of the Supermen' storyline adapted. The critics liked it, the animation is solid, and it tackles some interesting questions about identity and legacy.

But let's be real: this is niche content. It's a direct sequel to another animated movie, it's darker and more violent than casual superhero fare, and it's really for the DC animated universe fans who want their Superman stories with more edge. The 6.8 IMDb and 3.1 Letterboxd ratings tell you this isn't essential viewing—it's competent fan service.

For teens 13+ who love DC, this works. For everyone else? There are better superhero movies that don't require homework and don't lean quite so hard into the grim stuff. It's watchable, but not must-watch.

Age Fit

This is solidly for teens 13+ who are already into DC superhero content and can handle darker themes around death, identity, and violence. Younger superhero fans should stick with lighter fare; older teens and adults who enjoy DC's animated movies will find this competent but not groundbreaking.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This DC animated film deals with grief and loss (Superman's death) in a reasonably mature way, but the tone is darker and more violent than typical superhero fare. There's some cooperation among heroes, but the emotional core is heavy—multiple impostor Supermen, cloning ethics, and identity theft. Not particularly warm or uplifting, though it avoids being cynical.

Imaginative

The premise—four different Superman successors emerging after his death—is a solid sci-fi concept that explores identity, legacy, and what makes a hero. The story includes a cyborg Superman, a clone, and other creative takes on the Man of Steel mythos. It's comic-book imaginative rather than truly original (adapted from a 1990s storyline), but it does invite thought about heroism and replacement.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates this 13+, and that tracks. This is a PG-13-level animated superhero film with significant action violence, some intense scenes involving death and destruction, and darker themes (cloning, manipulation, imposters). No sexual content or gore, but the violence is more impactful than typical Saturday morning cartoons. Parents should expect Marvel/DC action movie intensity in animated form—not shocking, but not gentle either.

Enriching

The film raises interesting questions about identity, legacy, and what truly defines a hero beyond powers and costumes. There's ethical territory around cloning and whether manufactured heroes can be 'real.' However, it's primarily an action-driven superhero sequel that delivers spectacle over depth. Moderately enriching for fans who want to think about heroism, but not particularly profound. Entertainment value is solid for DC animation fans.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Strong premise exploring what happens when Superman dies and multiple successors emerge—good fodder for discussions about legacy and identity
High critic score (93% on Rotten Tomatoes) suggests quality animation and storytelling for the DC animated universe
Raises interesting ethical questions about cloning, manufactured heroes, and what truly makes someone 'super'
Solid action sequences that deliver on superhero spectacle without being gratuitous

⚠

What to Watch For

This is notably darker than many superhero cartoons—death, grief, and imposter storylines dominate the emotional landscape
Action violence is more intense than Saturday morning fare; expect PG-13-level superhero battles with real stakes
The whole premise is dealing with Superman's death, so if your kid is sensitive to loss or heavy themes, maybe skip
This is really a sequel to 'The Death of Superman' (2018), so watching that first would help—jumping in cold might be confusing

Conversation Starters

"If someone tried to replace you, what would make people know it wasn't really you? What makes you... you?"
"Do you think a clone of Superman would actually BE Superman, or just a copy? What's the difference?"
"The movie shows different people trying to fill Superman's role—what do you think makes someone a real hero versus just someone with powers?"
"How do you think Superman's friends felt seeing all these imposters? Would you want someone to try to replace your friend if they died?"

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