The DC Extended Universe was supposed to be DC and Warner Bros.' answer to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With beloved characters like Superman and Batman, it should have been a no-brainer. However, the entire franchise hit a few bumps in the road, and thanks to low critical reviews and an underperforming box office, it was shifted and things started changing, starting with Warner removing Zack Snyder from the franchise.
However, as much as the franchise didn't perform as well as many hoped, it still has a large legion of fans. Thanks to hashtags with different variations on the "Snyder Cut" and a legion of fans who would do anything to push the movies, it has at least a cult sensibility to its fandom. Looking at Reddit gives a lot of reasons why the DCEU has so many adamant fans.
The Gritty Realism
One of the big comparisons between the DCEU and the MCU is that Marvel makes movies that are mostly safe for kids and DC makes movies geared toward adults. With more mature themes and a realistic take on what a world with heroes might look like, it stands out from the pack.
Redditor Watchmen."
People Trying To Do The Right Thing
It might seem strange to think that the DCEU was full of heroes trying to do the right thing. Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice had Batman - a hero - try to kill Superman just in case he might turn evil in the future.
However, Redditor @Genericname2691 wrote that he loved the DCEU because it was about "how often and regularly normal people do their best to be heroes." He points out how people are always trying to save each other throughout the movies, especially in Man of Steel.
Choices Are What Is Important
While many critics of the DCEU point to the problems with Superman and Batman not always acting like heroes, the movies show that is still the decisions they make. Superman has doubts but becomes a hero anyway. Batman goes hard after Superman but helps him when he realizes he is wrong.
Redditor @TheBatSkeptic said that he loves how the DCEU's heroes have to make the hard choices to grow. After going through the characters in Man of Steel, they point out that "Each has the potential to help or harm, but their choices are what's important."
The DCEU Isn't Just Connected By End Credit Cut Scenes
The MCU built its movies with liberal use of post-credit scenes. It was a post-credit scene in The Incredible Hulk was only connected for a time with a post-credit scene with Tony Stark. Other scenes hinted at Thanos, Loki's survival, and more.
According to Redditor @YukhoChan, "the DCEU isn't just connected by end credit cut scenes or a big MacGuffin." While the movies did have their own post-credit stingers, he pointed out that they used "parallel imagery and thematic connections" to connect the DCEU movies.
Making Movies Mostly For Fans
In the MCU, Disney had proven they can market their moves to mainstream audiences, even if people have no idea who the characters are. Shang-Chi made big money despite being obscure characters. However, the DCEU has mostly stuck with heroes everyone knows.
Redditor @f1mxli wrote that the DCEU connects so well because they are "making these movies mostly for the fans. " People know who Superman and Batman are, so the DCEU threw them together with little lead-in because fans wanted to see it. DC has a brand awareness that Marvel did not.
Different Creative Minds To Interpret Characters Differently
If there is one thing that the MCU and the post-Zack Snyder DCEU have in common, it is using distinctly unique filmmakers to tell the stories. Before Snyder left, Patty Jenkins took control of the Shazam!.
One Redditor said they loved this because the creative minds at the DCEU created movie versions of the characters that are unique from the comic book pages. "It’s what's always been great about DC. It allows different creative minds to interpret these characters differently."
The DCEU Uses Elements Of The Comics
The MCU used its character template as a mix between the Ultimate Universe and the mainstream Marvel. However, critics of the DCEU complain that the characters are not loyal to the comics. Not everyone agrees with this sentiment.
According to one Redditor, "the characters aren't far from their comic versions." They went on to write that "Superman in MoS is identical to the characterization they gave him in works like John Byrne's The Man of Steel. Batman in BvS is identical to TDKReturns."
More Storytelling Options Than The MCU
The MCU has created one giant universe that connects every movie and streaming show that they release. When new characters like Shang-Chi or the Eternals appear, they have to somehow explain how they tie into the Blip or the Avengers. It makes it hard to follow for newcomers and hard to create something different.
However, since Zack Snyder left the DCEU, Warner Bros. has chosen not to keep everything completely connected and even have movies in different worlds, such as The Batman. @Dnvnlp wrote that "the opportunities with the DCEU are endless and while they’ve definitely bungled a whole lot of their EU, it’s allowed it to become something completely different from the MCU."
Everything Has A New Flavor To It
Another Redditor who loved how the DCEU is more exciting by not trying to world build all its movies is Peacemaker mention the overarching universe, it is done for fun rather than as a forced puzzle piece.
"One thing I love about the DCEU is that everything has a new flavor to it while the MCU is usually the same flavored food," they wrote. They also said that the DCEU having "different tones and genres would be nice to see."
Female Characters Are Not Pushovers
One thing the DCEU did before the MCU was releasing a female-led movie. While Marvel had Black Widow, she was used as eye candy early and it took a while for her to gain a level of respect. While the MCU has plenty of strong female heroes now, the DCEU has worked to keep all its females strong.
Redditor @ReneReyesHW wrote, "Its great how female characters are absolutely not pushovers in the DCEU." They even pointed to the Zack Snyder days, saying he was "pretty good with the balance of badass women and badass men working within one movie."
