Just imagine it, you are sitting in a crowded theater, and all of a sudden you hear it — the famous Superman theme song many know and love. It is loud and booming in your ears, but you would not have it any other way. Who knew just hearing “dun” over and over again, but in different tones, would make someone have so much joy?
This July, audience members experienced this when a new Superman movie was released in theaters, sparking some major controversial debates over which Superman movie is better. Some stay loyal to “Man of Steel” (2013) while others find this summer’s “Superman” (2025) to usurp the “Man of Steel” 12-year reign as the best Superman movie. Fans of “Man of Steel” have criticized the new movie, stating that actor David Corenswet’s Superman is weak and would never hold up in a fight against Henry Cavill’s Superman. On the other hand, many new fans of “Superman” believe that Henry Cavill’s Superman is too dark and broody compared to the comic book Superman, who is extremely goofy and kind.
Even with the differences between these movies, both still convey the same overall message of the Superman story: hope for people on Earth. However, the two have different approaches to Superman’s origin story, character traits and costume.
“Man of Steel” starts with the backstory of how Superman’s planet, Krypton, was destroyed. “Superman” takes a different approach, starting in the middle of the action with Superman being destroyed by the Hammer of Boravia. This is the first time Superman has ever lost a fight in the three years he has been Superman. The scene, set in the Arctic, is very bright, and it is such a loud scene with Superman crashing into the snow. It is almost blinding and deafening for those sitting in a movie theater.
The attitudes of the two movies are also very different.
David Corenswet’s Superman is upbeat and always trying to make sure everything is in perfect peace and balance. The “Superman” iteration of the character seems to have more of a heart for making sure that not one soul is harmed, including animals. This is shown when he saves a squirrel and a dog during a fight with an enormous alien that is destroying the city. Superman had so much to do in this scene, yet he takes extra effort just to fly in and save these animals when he could have just left them to die.
Henry Cavill’s Superman is sweet, quiet and broody instead. “Man of Steel” focuses on Superman’s resentment of his parents and how he does not see them as his real parents. “Man of Steel” almost feels like Superman has the attitude of Batman, an interesting route to take with the movie that ended up being very successful.
“Man of Steel” earned $670.15 million at the box office. Comparatively, “Superman” was barely under that figure with a still impressive $614.59 million.
The costumes are another one of the biggest differences between the Superman movies. The Superman suit in “Superman” appears brighter and more accurate to the suit in the comics. The suit even has the iconic red underwear on the outside of the suit, which comic book readers love to see in live-action adaptations.
Superman’s suit in “Man of Steel” has more of a darker color tone. He wears the iconic red and blue suit, but the colors are dulled down into a dark blue and red that do not include the iconic red underwear.
The love interest figures differ as well. “Superman” has a more comic-accurate Lois Lane with black hair and a nosy attitude. The Lois of “Man of Steel” has red hair, instead, but still has that nosy attitude.
While the costumes and characters differ at times, the movies both revolve around the same theme of wanting to be accepted by the world and not treated like an outcast. They also convey important messages about how the Superman characters are figures of hope for people who cannot protect themselves.
These movies definitely show up as products of their time, with “Man of Steel” being more about the fighting and action that many people in the 2010s wanted to see, and “Superman” being a funny and lighthearted movie for viewers in the 2020s who want to laugh and escape the terror of the world.
While both movies have captivated fans, the new tone brought to “Superman” is refreshing with its comic accuracy and Superman’s joy when it comes to saving others. He is such a goofy take, and this movie proves that not everything has to be so serious all the time. However, the broody bad boy vibe they put on the “Man of Steel” Superman gives audience members a what-if scenario that is still amazing to rewatch. In the end, it is always up to whatever tone audiences want to see at the moment, but “Superman” deserves its newfound place in the Superman universe.
