DC Fans Clash Over Which Superman Movie Reigns Supreme SUPERMAN or MAN OF STEEL?
With James Gunn’s Superman now in theaters, a new debate has ignited across the DC fandom. As fans debate over which version of Superman is better David Corenswet or Henry Cavill, other fans are debated which movie is better.
Is Gunn’s hopeful, bright take on the Man of Steel better than Zack Snyder’s brooding 2013 epic? The answer depends on who you ask, and fans are not holding back.
What started as a simple post by ScreenTime on X quickly spiraled into a full-on cinematic showdown. On one side, you have Snyder’s gritty, operatic Man of Steel, led by Cavill’s somber Superman, a hero burdened by his own power and alienation.
On the other, Gunn offers something completely different with a colorful, optimistic film that wears its comic book roots proudly, with Corenswet declaring that “kindness is the new punk rock.”
For some fans, Gunn’s film delivers everything they’ve been missing.
“I love both for different reasons, but Superman perfectly captures what Superman is supposed to stand for and feels like a successor to Reeve’s films. It’s whimsical, optimistic and encouraging. Gunn just nailed the character in a way we haven’t seen in decades,” wrote @Nljigakulive.
Others point to Gunn’s humor and playful additions like Krypto, the Superdog.
“Both good, but I say Superman. James Gunn’s influx of humor combined with adding Krypto as a semi-main character take it a notch above,” said @BTBlitzPGH.
But Snyder loyalists argue that Gunn’s movie, while charming, lacks the epic weight that made Man of Steel feel so monumental.
“I thought Superman was cool but mannnnn Man of Steel just connected on way more levels and was much better written. A lot of great lows and highs within that film, you really have empathy for Snyders version because of how alienated his Superman is on earth,” argued @MaxonUnlimited..
Some even suggest Gunn’s ambition to lay the foundation for a new DC Universe kept the movie from going bigger:
“James Gunn's Superman is really a comic-accurate Superman definitely every character is true to the source material. But I feel if James Gunn didn't have the burden to establish a universe, it would've been more epic. Genuinely I missed the epicness that I felt in Man of Steel,” added @anonismind.
Others are torn, appreciating elements of both:
“Man of Steel is a better film but I kind of see it as it's own thing. Henry's Superman doesn't feel like Superman to me though story wise it's a great movie. David Corenswet IS Superman to me. I loved seeing a more lighthearted approach. Just wish the movie had more of a plot,” wrote @Filmbuff05.
Ultimately, the debate feels like one of those playground arguments that will never have a definitive winner. Both films take radically different approaches to the same icon—and maybe that’s okay. One fan summed it up best:
“@JamesGunn made a terrific movie @ZackSnyder made a terrific movie Fans need to remember 'comparison is the thief of joy.' Most of this Superman drama is rage-bait so people can pay the bills. Don’t feed into it. Protect your joy,” urged @Motetsu3653.
So, which one do you prefer—the hopeful new dawn of Gunn’s Superman, or the operatic intensity of Snyder’s Man of Steel? Or are you just happy both exist? Let us know in the comments.