James Gunn's Superman Gets One Thing Right That's Been Missing From Superhero Movies For 9 Years

James Gunn’s Superman restored an essential aspect of superhero narratives that has been missing from the genre for nine years. The DCU’s Superman revitalizes the superhero genre with its hopeful tone, multiple nuanced characters, and deep world-building. Yet one of the film’s most refreshing accomplishments is something simple, reintroducing a long-neglected but vital element into the heart of superhero storytelling.

The superhero genre has gone through seismic shifts over the past two decades. From the grittiness of the early 2000s to the interconnected spectacles of the MCU, superhero cinema has reinvented itself repeatedly. Yet in chasing scale, many of these films have left something essential behind – something that once grounded even the most fantastical stories in real emotion and vulnerability.

Superhero Movies Have Been Missing Compelling Romance Stories Since Deadpool

Superhero Movies Have Become Distinctly Aromantic

In the golden age of superhero cinema, romance was as integral to the story as the superpowers. The love triangle between Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Wolverine in the X-Men movies added emotional stakes to otherwise action-heavy plots. Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy made Peter Parker’s love life, especially his push-pull with Mary Jane Watson, an essential thread that ran through the entire trilogy.

Even The Amazing Spider-Man movies leaned heavily on the chemistry between Peter and Gwen. These stories understood that love, longing, and vulnerability are key to making heroes relatable. However, over the last decade, romance has quietly faded from the superhero landscape.

The MCU has notably become almost non-romantic. Characters like Black Widow and Bruce Banner had barely-sketched relationships, and others, like Carol Danvers or Sam Wilson, have no romantic interests at all. Even Peter Parker’s relationship with MJ in the Tom Holland Spider-Man movies is often sidelined by spectacle and was over after two movies.

David Corenswet's Superman and Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner having an intense moment in the 2025 movie

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The DCEU flirted with romance early on. Man of Steel had its central relationship, and Wonder Woman featured a strong emotional arc between Diana and Steve Trevor. Yet as the films became more focused on plot mechanics and tonal consistency, romantic subplots were minimized or removed entirely.

The last superhero movie to truly center on a romantic relationship as a core plot engine was Deadpool (2016). Wade and Vanessa’s dark, twisted, and surprisingly tender love story gave the first movie its emotional drive and made Wade’s decisions deeply personal. The romance guided the whole plot and was essential to Wade’s motivation.

Deadpool was the last time a romantic reunion was the emotional climax of a superhero movie. Since then, romantic plots have been hinted at, such as Jean Grey and Cyclops in Dark Phoenix, or even pushed into the background like Deadpool & Wolverine. Thankfully, Superman restores this.

Superman Finally Brings Proper Romance Back To Superhero Movies

Superman And Lois Lane’s Relationship Is Central to Their Characters

James Gunn’s triumphant Superman puts romance front and center. The relationship between Clark Kent and Lois Lane (affectionately dubbed “Clois” by fans) is not just a subplot; it’s a core part of the narrative’s foundation. Lois isn’t just a love interest; she’s an investigative journalist unafraid to challenge Superman on his actions and beliefs.

Their early interview becomes a turning point in Clark’s journey, pushing him to reflect on his role in the world and his Kryptonian legacy. Rather than reducing Lois to a damsel in distress, Gunn gives her agency, strength, and intelligence. Her feelings for Clark lead her to investigate Lex Luthor’s conspiracies and work alongside Mister Terrific to save Superman.

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Her actions are driven not just by journalistic integrity but by love and unwavering belief in Clark’s goodness. The emotional high point of Superman is not a world-ending explosion, but the reunion between Clark and Lois. After all the battles are fought and the villain is subdued, it’s their quiet, deeply personal moment that delivers the film’s emotional resolution.

Superman Including Romance Is Actually Important To The Movie’s Overall Message

Superman (2025) Is About Highlighting The Hero’s Humanity

David Corenswet's Superman looks up with burned eyes in Superman (2025)

The return of romance in Superman isn’t just nostalgic, it’s thematically crucial. At its heart, Superman is a story about identity, empathy, and the nature of humanity. Throughout the film, Clark Kent wrestles with his place between two worlds. He’s haunted by questions of origin, purpose, and legacy, especially after learning the full truth about Jor-El’s intentions.

However, the film’s emotional arc doesn’t culminate in violence, it culminates in understanding. During the climactic confrontation with Lex Luthor, Superman delivers what may become the most poignant line in Superman: “I’m as human as anybody. They’ve always been wrong about me. I love. I get scared. But that is being human. And that’s my greatest strength.”

Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane and David Corenswet's Superman late in Superman

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That quote doesn’t work without romance. It’s Lois, her belief in him, her love, her ability to see both his powers and his soul, that proves Clark’s point. Love is not an afterthought; it’s the ultimate proof of his humanity. His relationship with Lois is what roots him in Earth, emotionally and ethically.

It’s the difference between being a godlike alien and a deeply human hero. Superhero films have spent years chasing spectacle, subverting tropes, and upping the stakes. Superman dares to bring back a classic idea: that even the mightiest hero needs love – not just to be saved, but to be whole.