Sometimes it seems a mystery why audiences like certain movies. It's as if a miracle occurs, causing some films to work while others don't. But the truth is, most of the time, when a film and its audience connect, it's because highly skilled professionals have combined elements to create a solid bridge. In the case of Superman and the films based on him, there may be elements linked to chance, but there are also other factors that inevitably draw audiences in. So, what are those elements that make Superman and his films so appealing? Is the success of the 2025 Superman film a passing fad? Is this Superman film part of the wave of movies that are saving cinema from dying a lonely death in theaters?

The answer to the question of "why do viewers like the character of Superman and his movies" has both a simple and a complex side. Initially, male audiences like the character because they would love to fly like him, be as strong as him, even to the point of being indestructible like him—kryptonite aside, of course. Meanwhile, women have found in his films and the recent television series about Superman an important role for the character of Lois Lane, the hero's girlfriend. Currently, Lane is moving beyond roles that subordinate her to the fate of the male character and assuming a leading role that helps resolve the conflicts presented in the script; in other words, she becomes almost as important as Superman himself. That said, let's get to the complex answer: Superman becomes a mass phenomenon when he is identified as a messianic figure similar to Hercules or Jesus. That is to say, beings who come from another world to help humanity and who are willing to sacrifice their lives for their charges—us, mortals. This mythical interpretation of the hero explains his enduring presence in the public imagination and makes understandable the anticipation surrounding the films produced about him. In other words, Superman is a god made man, who comes to Earth to sacrifice himself for humanity, and as if it were an urban ritual, cinema repeats this image periodically, reminding audiences of the idea that has held societies together for millennia: the idea of the messiah.

Since Christopher Reeve portrayed Superman in 1978, he set the bar so high that it has been difficult to reach. Henry Cavill, who played him between 2013 and 2022, likely satisfied fans, so much so that when he was fired and left the role, it generated understandable uncertainty. But things calmed down, and after the release of the new version of the story in 2025, the large audience attendance at theaters bodes well for the character's future. So, one has to wonder if this new version, directed by James Gunn, will be a fleeting success, and I think not, because it draws inspiration from the origins of Superman's world. This new interpretation is directly inspired by the comic book universe, which is why it looks the way it does, and that's what differentiates it from previous and more recent films that sought a dark, dramatic, and visual style. Added to this is the desire to make the film family-friendly, which is why the protagonist has a pet, a super dog, who is mischievous, but not incorrigible. It differs from its recent predecessors in that it avoids excessive bloodshed, regardless of the brutal intensity of the battles. This makes it suitable for younger viewers, cultivating an audience from an early age and ensuring viewers for future installments, so that the 2025 success will not be a fleeting one.

Now let's address a crucial question: Is the 2025 Superman film part of the wave of movies currently drawing audiences to theaters? Which movies are we referring to? We're talking about those films that are directing the viewer's attention to everything that happens on camera without relying on computer-generated effects. This isn't meant as a dismissive attitude toward computer-generated tricks; it's simply that these films place the actors at the forefront of the story. It's as if cinema is rediscovering the foundation of the narrative in the actors and actresses themselves. This is the case with POOR THINGS from 2023 and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – JUDGMENT DAY from 2025, where what happens in front of the camera during filming is fundamental, while post-production serves as a support for what was done on set. The 2025 Superman film aligns with this trend because it makes the viewer feel like they're watching a comic book, even though it's not a film made with drawings, but rather adopts an aesthetic in color and framing reminiscent of the story told on the page. If films that prioritize actors and actresses on screen return to a more primal, though no less complex or rich, version of cinema, the 2025 Superman returns to the character's origins in the comics, and in this, it resembles the other films mentioned, all of which seek a certain origin. In times when the direction of cinema seems unclear, returning to the origin can be a sensible option. Thus, the viewer reconnects with cinema because, in its essence, they rediscover what is important. So, what makes a film appealing to you? What makes you want to see it? Did you like the 2025 Superman?