Is this the same as the 'Death of Superman' movie from 2007?

No. The 2007 movie (Superman: Doomsday) was a much shorter, standalone story that condensed the whole plot into 75 minutes. This 2019 version is a 'super-cut' of two full-length films, offering way more detail and character development for the other members of the Justice League.

Do we need to watch other DC movies to understand this one?

It helps, but isn't strictly necessary. It’s part of a larger continuity, but the story of Superman fighting a giant monster and the fallout that follows is self-explanatory enough for most viewers to jump right in.

How 'bloody' does it actually get?

It’s about as violent as a PG-13 live-action movie. You’ll see Superman with a bloodied face, cuts on his body, and very heavy hits that look painful. It’s not 'slasher movie' gore, but it’s definitely more intense than The Avengers.

Is it better to watch this 'Complete Edition' or the two movies separately?

The 'Complete Edition' is the way to go. It adds a few scenes to smooth out the transition between the two halves and feels like one cohesive, epic story rather than a sequel that starts from scratch.

The Death and Return of Superman – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Death and Return of Superman

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2019

70%

WISE Score

Superman takes a dirt nap and the world goes weird; it's the gritty, two-part animated epic that actually gives the Man of Steel a proper send-off.

The Death and Return of Superman

movie

PG-13, 2019

70%

WISE Score

Superman takes a dirt nap and the world goes weird; it's the gritty, two-part animated epic that actually gives the Man of Steel a proper send-off.

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Screenwise Verdict

If you’re looking for the definitive version of the 'Death of Superman' story, this is it. It combines two separate films into one seamless, two-and-a-half-hour epic that understands the character better than most big-budget blockbusters. It’s a bit of a marathon, and the animation style is that standard DC 'New 52' look—clean but a little stiff—but the emotional core is solid.

Be warned: this isn't the campy Superman your parents grew up with. It’s part of a darker animated universe where characters bleed and stakes are permanent. It’s a great pick for a teen who’s graduating from the LEGO movies but isn't quite ready for the R-rated side of DC. Just make sure they have the attention span for a 166-minute runtime.

Age Fit

This is firmly for the 12+ crowd. It’s rated PG-13 for a reason—the violence is 'animated' but the impact is heavy. Younger kids might find the death of their favorite hero too upsetting or the extended battle scenes too intense.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Superman is the ultimate model of self-sacrifice and heroism here, but the tone is gritty and Metropolis feels genuinely desperate. It lacks the bright, optimistic 'Saturday morning' vibe of older iterations.

Imaginative

The 'Reign' half of the movie introduces four distinct takes on the Superman legacy, offering a creative look at what the world tries to fill a hero-sized vacuum with.

Safe

This is part of the DCAMU era, meaning it's significantly more violent and bloody than standard superhero fare. The Doomsday fight is a bone-crunching slugfest that doesn't shy away from injury detail.

Enriching

Explores heavy themes of grief, the responsibility of power, and what it means to be a symbol. It’s a solid entry point for discussing legacy and heroism beyond just 'punching the bad guy.'

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Classic Storytelling: It adapts one of the most famous comic arcs ever with more breathing room than the 90s version or the live-action films.
Heroic Stakes: Superman’s fight against Doomsday feels earned and his sacrifice carries real weight for the characters and the city.
Diverse Supermen: The introduction of Steel, Superboy, and Cyborg Superman keeps the second half fresh and avoids 'dead hero' fatigue.
Justice League Presence: Seeing the team struggle against an unstoppable force before Clark steps in highlights why he’s the anchor of that world.

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What to Watch For

The Doomsday fight is unusually brutal for animation; expect blood, bruising, and very visceral sound design as Superman is beaten to death.
The movie deals heavily with Lois Lane's grief and the public mourning of a hero, which might be a bit heavy for kids who just want action.
Cyborg Superman has some body-horror elements and a fairly high body count during his transition to villainy.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Superman chose to fight Doomsday alone even when he knew he might not survive?"
"Out of the four 'New Supermen,' who do you think actually represented Clark's values the best?"
"If a hero like Superman actually disappeared, how do you think our world would react compared to how Metropolis did?"
"Does being a hero mean you have to be invincible, or is it more about what you're willing to lose?"

Deep Dive

The Animated Epic That Live-Action Missed

For years, fans wanted a proper adaptation of the 1992 comic event. We got a rushed version in the 2007 Superman: Doomsday and a divisive, crowded take in Batman v Superman. This 2019 'Complete Edition' finally gets the pacing right by letting the story breathe across two distinct acts.

Act I: The Sacrifice

The first half focuses on the arrival of Doomsday. What makes this work is the contrast between Clark’s human life—trying to reveal his identity to Lois—and the sheer, mindless violence of the monster. When Superman finally falls, it doesn't feel like a plot point; it feels like a tragedy. The violence here is significant; you see the suit tearing, the blood on the cape, and the exhaustion in the characters.

Act II: The Legacy

The 'Return' half is where the movie gets imaginative. Instead of just bringing Clark back immediately, we get the four imposters. It’s a clever exploration of Superman’s different facets: the celebrity (Superboy), the machine (Cyborg Superman), the weapon (Eradicator), and the heart (Steel). For parents, Steel (John Henry Irons) is the standout—he’s a regular guy inspired by Superman to do the right thing, modeling the kind of quiet heroism we actually want kids to see.

The DCAMU Grit

Parents should know this film sits in the DC Animated Movie Universe (DCAMU) continuity. This means the Justice League is a bit more cynical and the action is dialed up to eleven. It’s not 'edgy' just to be edgy, but it’s definitely targeting an older audience than the Justice League Action shorts. If your kid is sensitive to character death or intense physical struggle, maybe sit this one out until they’re a bit older. But for the comic-book-loving middle schooler, this is top-tier superhero storytelling.

What Parents Ask

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