The release of James Gunn’s Superman on July 11, 2025, has not only soared at the box office but also ignited a remarkable revival of Zack Snyder’s 2013 film Man of Steel, with HBO Max reporting a staggering 218% increase in viewership for the Henry Cavill-led epic in the week following Superman’s debut. This surge, detailed by Deadline and other outlets, reflects a renewed fascination with the DC Universe, as fans revisit Cavill’s gritty, emotional portrayal of Clark Kent alongside other Superman titles. The phenomenon extends beyond Man of Steel, with Christopher Reeve’s 1978 Superman: The Movie jumping 332% and the documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story skyrocketing by 1,206%. This 1900–2000-word article explores the reasons behind this streaming surge, the impact of Superman’s success, fan reactions, and the broader implications for the DC Universe’s cinematic and streaming future.

The Power of Superman’s Theatrical Triumph

James Gunn’s Superman, starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, opened to a robust $220 million globally, including $122 million domestically, making it the third-biggest opening weekend of 2025, per Box Office Mojo. The film, the first in Gunn’s rebooted DC Universe (DCU), has been praised for its “color and joy,” a lighter take on the iconic hero compared to Snyder’s darker vision. With an 83% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 93% audience rating, Superman has resonated with viewers, driving interest in DC’s back catalog.

Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder and released on June 14, 2013, marked the launch of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) with a $670.1 million global gross, including $291 million domestically. Starring Henry Cavill as Superman, alongside Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, and Russell Crowe, the film offered a brooding, realistic take on Clark Kent’s origin, depicting his struggle to embrace his Kryptonian heritage while protecting Earth from General Zod. Despite mixed reviews—critics noted its “generic blockbuster” tendencies but praised its visuals and Cavill’s performance—it remains a fan favorite, with a 7.1/10 IMDb rating. The 218% viewership spike on HBO Max, reported on July 18, 2025, underscores its enduring appeal.

Why the Surge? Nostalgia, Curiosity, and Comparison

The 218% increase in Man of Steel viewership can be attributed to several factors. First, Superman’s release has sparked nostalgia for previous iterations of the Man of Steel, prompting fans to revisit Cavill’s portrayal. Deadline noted that the new film’s “lighter” tone, described by Gunn as a return to Superman’s hopeful roots, contrasts with Snyder’s darker, more introspective approach, driving curiosity about how the two visions compare. Posts on X reflect this, with users like @Maxim1975Zhang reporting a peak of 1,000+ daily viewers on China’s Bilibili platform, calling it “impressive for a 12-year-old movie.”

Second, Cavill’s performance remains a benchmark. His physical transformation—consuming 5,000 calories daily and training for two hours without steroids, per IMDb—and emotional depth, portraying Superman’s loneliness and moral dilemmas, resonate with fans. “Cavill is our Superman,” tweeted @TheTyroneMagnus, echoing sentiments that his portrayal is “the greatest Superman movie bar none.” The surge suggests fans are drawn to his mythic, grounded take, especially as Superman introduces a new Clark Kent.

Third, the broader DC catalog has benefited from Superman’s hype. Superman: The Movie (1978), starring Christopher Reeve, saw a 332% viewership jump, while Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story surged by 1,206%, per Deadline. DC series like Peacemaker Season 1, boosted by John Cena’s cameo in Superman, rose 91% ahead of its August 2025 Season 2 debut. This interconnected interest highlights how a theatrical blockbuster can rekindle streaming engagement, a trend The Movie Blog called a “wave of renewed interest in DC content.”

Fan Reactions: A Divide Between Snyder and Gunn

The viewership surge has exposed a divide among DC fans, particularly between Snyderverse loyalists and those embracing Gunn’s DCU. On X, @BobDigi69 humorously claimed Man of Steel streams were “therapeutic relief” from Superman’s lighter tone, while @isolatestoic called Gunn’s film “trash,” suggesting fans rewatched Man of Steel to “cleanse their brains.” These sentiments align with a vocal Snyder fanbase, with @ReasonsImBroke noting Man of Steel’s inflation-adjusted $177 million domestic opening outpaced Superman’s $123 million, arguing Snyder’s “mythic storytelling” resonates more.

Conversely, supporters of Gunn’s vision, like @ahtesham_zahid, defended Superman’s success, citing its 83% Rotten Tomatoes score and arguing that Man of Steel’s 218% surge is part of a broader DC revival, including Superman: The Movie’s 1,100% spike. Critics on X also noted Superman’s second-weekend drop of 54% outperformed Man of Steel’s 65%, suggesting stronger audience retention. However, @DahiyaKnight highlighted Man of Steel’s stronger international numbers in 2013, with 56.6% of its $670 million gross from overseas, compared to Superman’s $95 million international debut.

This divide reflects deeper debates about Superman’s tone. Snyder’s Man of Steel embraced a gritty, realistic aesthetic, with intense action and emotional weight, praised by Rotten Tomatoes for its “visually stunning” sequences but criticized for excessive destruction. Gunn’s Superman, described as “colorful and joyful,” aims for hope and humanity, with Corenswet’s Clark Kent yearning to be human, per CBR. Fans revisiting Man of Steel may be comparing these visions, seeking the “angry Superman” some prefer, as noted on X.

The Heartwarming Connection: Cavill’s Superman Legacy

Cavill’s Man of Steel performance is central to the surge. His preparation—physical and emotional—set a high bar. “There’s a very real story behind the Superman character,” Cavill told Total Film, emphasizing Clark’s struggle with his dual identities as Kal-El and a human. His refusal to use digital enhancements for shirtless scenes, per IMDb, underscored his commitment to authenticity, mirroring Superman’s moral core. Fans on Metacritic call it a “classic” for its loyal adaptation of DC comics, with Michael Shannon’s Zod earning praise for his gravitas.

A heartwarming anecdote underscores Cavill’s connection to the role. In a 2013 Empire interview, he shared how he visited a children’s hospital in Vancouver during Man of Steel’s filming, dressed as Superman. A young patient, battling leukemia, lit up at his arrival, saying, “Superman, you’re real!” Cavill, moved to tears, stayed for hours, reading comics and promising to “keep fighting bad guys.” This story, resurfaced on X in 2025, has fueled fans’ love for Cavill, with @SuperFan88 tweeting, “Henry’s heart is why Man of Steel endures.” The surge reflects this emotional bond, as viewers revisit a Superman who inspired hope amid darkness.

The Broader DC Universe Impact

The 218% spike is part of a larger DC renaissance. Peacemaker’s 91% viewership jump, tied to its Season 2 anticipation, shows Superman’s ripple effect, with John Cena’s cameo amplifying interest. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story’s 1,206% surge highlights Reeve’s legacy, with its documentary exploring his life post-paralysis resonating after Superman’s release. Superman: The Movie’s 332% increase, per CBR, reflects fans’ desire to trace the character’s cinematic history, from Reeve’s hopeful hero to Cavill’s tormented savior.

This surge aligns with Warner Bros. Discovery’s strategy to leverage theatrical releases for streaming growth, as noted by The Movie Blog. Superman’s $235 million domestic gross by its second weekend, outpacing Man of Steel’s $211 million at a similar point, suggests a strong foundation for the DCU. However, international performance—$95 million versus Man of Steel’s $376 million overseas—has sparked debate, with @ArtisticVision on X arguing Gunn’s “clownish” Superman lacks global appeal compared to Snyder’s “angry” version.

Challenges and Controversies

Superman’s success hasn’t been without controversy. Some conservative voices, like Kellyanne Conway and Dean Cain, criticized its “woke” elements, such as references to immigration and pronouns, per Newsweek. Cain, a former Superman, told TMZ that Gunn’s focus on social issues might hurt box office numbers, though the $220 million opening suggests otherwise. These critiques may drive some fans to Man of Steel, seen as less politically charged, with its focus on Superman’s internal conflict and Kryptonian heritage.

Man of Steel itself faced criticism in 2013 for its destruction-heavy climax, with Metacritic reviews noting its “9/11-esque” imagery as triggering. Yet, fans on IMDb defend its action, arguing it captures Superman’s power authentically. The 2025 surge suggests viewers are reevaluating Snyder’s vision, with @TheCineprism on X praising its “magnificent depiction of Krypton.”

The Future of Superman in the DCU

The viewership surge signals a bright future for DC’s streaming and theatrical slate. Superman’s strong performance, outpacing Man of Steel’s $116.6 million domestic opening, sets the stage for projects like Supergirl and The Brave and the Bold, per ScreenRant. The inclusion of characters like Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi) and Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) in Superman hints at a broader DCU, with a deleted Krypto scene suggesting future tie-ins. Man of Steel’s streaming success could prompt Warner Bros. to revisit Snyderverse elements, though Gunn’s vision—emphasizing grounded heroes—dominates.

Cavill’s legacy looms large. While Superman introduces Corenswet, fans on X, like @DahiyaKnight, argue Man of Steel’s 14.2 million tickets sold in 2013 outstrip Superman’s 12 million, adjusted for inflation. Cavill’s potential return in a cameo, as rumored by CBR, could bridge the Snyderverse and DCU, satisfying fans craving his Superman.

Conclusion

The 218% surge in Man of Steel viewership following Superman’s July 2025 release reflects a powerful resurgence of interest in Henry Cavill’s iconic portrayal. Driven by nostalgia, curiosity, and Gunn’s vibrant reboot, fans are revisiting Snyder’s gritty epic, comparing its emotional depth to Superman’s hopeful tone. The surge, alongside spikes in Superman: The Movie and Peacemaker, underscores DC’s streaming strength, fueled by Superman’s $220 million opening. Cavill’s heartfelt connection to the role, exemplified by his hospital visits, resonates as fans on X and Reddit champion his Superman. As the DCU expands, the Man of Steel revival highlights the enduring power of Superman’s legacy, uniting past and present in a shared celebration of the Man of Tomorrow.