The Secret Reason Why 'Superman's' HBO Max Streaming Date Is Shockingly Soon

The biggest superhero movie of the summer is not only already available to watch at home, but soon, if you have HBO Max, it won't even cost you any extra money. As confirmed by Deadline, the 2025 James Gunn-directed Superman will be available to stream on HBO Max starting on Friday, September 19, 2025.

Is this particularly fast for a big tentpole movie? It depends on how you look at it. The last major DC theatrical release — prior to the new DCU reset — was Blue Beetle, which hit theaters on August 18, 2023, and was then on HBO Max on November 17, 2023. Superman was in theaters for 35 days on the dot before hitting VOD in August. But the HBO Max date for Superman is about two months after the movie's release in theaters on July 11. Why so quick?

Related: 'Superman' Sequel Confirms Surprise Title and Fast-Approaching Release Date

Peacemaker Season 2 has some synergy with Superman

Although Peacemaker is an adult superhero series with orgies and Superman is a PG-13 movie with a cute super dog, the two properties take place in the same shared fictional universe, and their destinies are tied together. In August, when asked by The Hollywood Reporterwhy Superman was headed to VOD so soon, James Gunn said: "Well, it’s very complicated, but the truth is it is because of Peacemaker."

He went on to elebroate that the ending episodes of Peacemaker Season 2 will be all about "setting up all of the rest of the DCU."

All of the new DCU streaming together, at the same time

Related: 'Peacemaker' Season 2 Review: The Raunchy Side of the DCU Is Even Better Than 'Superman'

After Peacemaker Episode 5 — which airs on Thursday, one day before Superman hits HBO Max — all of the new DCU will be collected together to watch all in one place. But what is offically part of the new DCU?

The short answer is the following shows and movies:

• Peacemaker Season 2, and seemingly, aspects of Peacemaker Season 1
• The animated series Creature Commandos (2024)
• Superman (2025)
• And, apparently, aspects of the The Suicide Squad (2021)

The future of the DCU will include:

• Supergirl (2026)
• Clayface (2026)
• Man of Tomorrow (2027)

So right now, briefly, in the last phase of 2025, you can binge all of the new DCU at the same time, on HBO Max.

Related: Who Sings 'Punkrocker?' That 'Superman' Ending Song, Explained