The ongoing debate among DC fans over whether James Gunn’s Superman or Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel is the definitive film for Krypton’s last son has intensified, particularly as the James Gunn Superman box office results draw increasing attention. In 2025, fan comparisons escalated when a social media post highlighted the financial performance of both films, sparking discussion across the superhero community.
Comparison of Superman Films Gains Social Media Momentum
James Gunn introduced David Corenswet as the new Superman in DCU Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, reigniting comparisons with Zack Snyder’s 2013 Man of Steel, featuring Henry Cavill. The @_DCCBRASIL Twitter account noted that Zack Snyder, the director of the earlier Superman reboot, had ‘liked’ an Instagram reel focusing specifically on the box office differences between these two movies, bringing directorial interest to the ongoing fan conversation.
The original Instagram reel, posted by @badsantagamingg on August 18, 2025, compared box office performances of the two films after one month of Gunn’s Superman in theaters. Its caption—
“Just going to leave this here,”
—invited fans to consider the financial outcomes of both releases. Snyder’s verified Instagram page, active since September 26, 2025, officially engaged with the post, marking a subtle yet notable reaction from the filmmaker.
Breaking Down the Box Office Performance
Ticket pricing played a significant role in interpreting each film’s performance. For Gunn’s DC Studios entry, tickets were listed at $16.08, according to Cinemark data. In contrast, at the release of Snyder’s Man of Steel in 2013, average prices were approximately $8.13, based on figures from The Hollywood Reporter. Despite the inflation-adjusted differences, pure revenue comparisons remained a major talking point for fans and analysts alike, even as Snyder himself has yet to publicly comment on his social media engagement with these figures.
The box office showdown shows Gunn’s Superman closing its theatrical run with a global total of $616.7 million. Snyder’s Man of Steel, by comparison, ended its worldwide run at $670.1 million, leaving a direct difference of $53.4 million without accounting for inflation. Domestically in the U.S., Gunn’s 2025 film outperformed Man of Steel, earning $354.1 million, while Cavill’s version drew $291 million. Internationally, Snyder’s film led with $379.1 million, compared to the $262.5 million brought in by Gunn’s reboot outside the U.S.
Financial Success Leads to Sequel and Spinoffs
A Forbes report from November 8, 2025, confirms that James Gunn’s Superman proved profitable for DC Studios, which consequently greenlit a sequel titled Man of Tomorrow. The success extended to streaming platforms as well, with the film achieving strong viewership on HBO Max following its release on the Warner Bros. Discovery service. Both Superman (2025) and Man of Steel (2013) are now available on various streaming and home media formats, ensuring continued fan engagement.
Looking forward, principal photography for Man of Tomorrow is slated to begin in 2026. The sequel will feature the infamous villain Brainiac, challenging David Corenswet’s Superman. Nicholas Hoult is set to return as Lex Luthor, with the narrative hinting at a reluctant alliance between these two iconic characters against their new adversary. Supporting characters like Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, whose character is being developed into the spinoff DC Crime, are also expected to have expanded roles.
Significance of the Ongoing Superman Rivalry
The continuing discourse over the respective box office performance and creative direction of James Gunn’s and Zack Snyder’s Superman adaptations highlights the passionate investment of DC’s global fanbase. As both films remain readily accessible for viewing, discussions about storytelling, casting—such as Amy Adams and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane—and the legacy of actors like Henry Cavill and David Corenswet persist. The debate is emblematic of the evolving superhero genre, with each project influencing future directions for DC Studios and the broader cinematic universe it hopes to build.
O diretor Zack Snyder deu like em um post comparando as bilheterias do filmes Man Of Steel e Superman de James Gunn 😮 pic.twitter.com/lnl0GjaWa2
— DC Brasil (@_DCCBRASIL) November 15, 2025
