(Review) New Superman attraction opens at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
Now open as part of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, you can unlock superpowers, work as a team, and enjoy the illusion of flying alongside Superman in the new walkthrough experience and gameplay attraction, ‘Superman Experience: Defenders Unite.’
‘Superman Experience: Defenders Unite’ is an ambitious new addition to Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood that blends walkthrough environments with interactive gameplay. While some elements feel more polished than others, the attraction’s energy, teamwork focus, and strong Superman theming make it a promising step forward for the Studio Tour.
A Superman mission begins at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
This new add-on to the Studio Tour features an original storyline that brings guests into a world inspired by James Gunn’s 2025 film “Superman.” Guests begin inside the Fortress of Solitude, as they are recruited by Superman himself to receive incredible abilities to help him with a new threat to Metropolis and the world at large.
We were invited out earlier this week to take a sneak peek at the experience and have a chat with Danny Kahn, vice president and general manager of Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, about this new addition, and the future of the studio’s tours and attractions.
A special tram ride to Metropolis
Our day started like any other, as we arrived at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and were whisked through the mini-museum that acts as a pre-show for the tour itself; however, instead of being taken on a trip through Hollywood history, we soon found ourselves on a special Superman-themed cart with four rows of passenger seats, being taken to our next adventure.
On the way, a special edition of the Daily Planet Podcast was played, where Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen filled us in on some of the strange portals that had been popping up around Metropolis. They even brought on Mister Terrific to give his thoughts on what danger these mysterious portals might pose.
As an aside, Warner Bros has found some accurate voice doubles for the characters.
Inside Superman Experience: Defenders Unite
When we arrived at Stage 5, where the experience was housed, we were immediately transported to the Fortress of Solitude, Superman’s home base, and were put into teams. Teams can be as large as 6, and during my conversation with Danny Kahn, he discussed that putting people together is a feature, not a bug of this experience.
“We wanted togetherness, we wanted people to have optimism. I think it’s, you know, what people need right now…this is an attraction that is meant to be enjoyed with your friends and your families (and) that’s something that I wasn’t really expecting out of this whole thing…total strangers that come together and they’re on the tram, and then two hours later, they’re, like, exchanging numbers (and) they’re best friends.”
– Danny Kahn, vice president and general manager
Punching robots, throwing boulders, and flying beside Superman
Next, we made our way into the attraction itself, and I quickly learned that this was by no means a passive experience. To help Superman, we had to punch robots, throw tractors, boulders, and chickens, and even fly. It was entirely unlike anything else on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour.
Danny expressed to me what it was like to put this experience together: “It’s absolutely a dream come true. I mean, this is such a fun project to work on, and, you know, as a fan of Superman and a lifelong fan of DC, it’s just such an honor and a privilege to be able to do something like this. And to just, you know, have people so excited about it all. So it’s such a chance to do something like this, but to have it all come together and see people just genuinely liking it, it’s like it doesn’t get better than that.”
As for what this says about the future of the Studio Tour, Danny said, “We have a lot of opportunities to continue to grow and expand with our events and also attractions here…we do have softening of production in Los Angeles. You know, seeing that production happens all over the world. But in the hearts and minds of our fans, it all centers here in Burbank…But there’s a nice balance that we can strike of having more attractions here, more events, that are on the back lot. It’ll just be a repurpose of these historical spaces.
…I think you build your appreciation for film, television…people will come into the studio and really not have any idea of everything that goes into making it go.“
As we wrapped up our battle against Darkseid and saved Metropolis, we explored the Fortress of Solitude and even got a picture with Gary, the Kryptonian robot who helps Superman.
Easter eggs and details
The Fortress of Solitude’s post-show area is full of Easter eggs (or subtle tributes) that will keep even the deepest Superman fan interested, from nods to the old Fleischer-era cartoons of the 1940’s to Kryptonian technology like the Phantom Zone projector and the Bottled City of Kandor.
What’s next for ‘Superman Experience: Defenders Unite?’
There are plans for the attraction’s future, as the world of Superman and the DCU continues to grow and evolve. Says Danny: “Because…we’re not gonna have to build new sets … it’s easy to update. So we really do have plans to introduce their characters and to have a seasonal overlay for this. (And) as James Gunn’s world evolves.
We’ll see other characters being added to this experience.”
Ultimately, my conversation with Danny Kahn and my adventure with Superman left me looking forward to what comes next for the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. As Hollywood itself continues to grow and evolve, it’s exciting to have a place where we can soar through the air, punch some robots, and live the best parts of our favorite films.
‘Superman Experience: Defenders Unite’ is a separate ticketed attraction from Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and is also sold as an “add-on” to the renowned Studio Tour. Visit supermanexperience.com for tickets and wbstudiotour.com for ticket bundle information and promotional offers.
Tickets for the ‘Superman Experience’ can be purchased separately for starting at $39, or as part of the tour starting at $77.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
3400 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
View the Superman attraction in our video below.
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