Sometimes timing is everything. And for Marvel, today’s release of the Ironheart trailer was a major misfire on many levels.
The first trailer for #Ironheart has been officially released! pic.twitter.com/zxnvy46XDd
— MCU – The Direct (@MCU_Direct) May 14, 2025
In what may go down as one of the most unfortunate scheduling blunders in recent superhero marketing, Marvel Studios released the trailer for Ironheart—a show that has already faced major delays and skepticism. Just three hours later, DC unveiled James Gunn’s trailer for Superman, offering fans a grounded, traditional take on the Man of Steel that’s not without its detractors.
But the contrast between the two couldn’t be sharper in terms of YouTube likes vs dislikes.
Viewer Reception Tells the Real Story
Both trailers have reached around 2.5 million views at the time of this writing. But from there, the data diverges dramatically.
The like to dislike ratio for the Superman trailer as of May 14, 2025 at 4 p.m. – YouTube, DC
Superman (DC):
- 2.6 million views
- 257,000 likes
- 7,000 dislikes
The like to dislike ratio for the Ironheart trailer as of May 14, 2025 at 4 p.m. – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
Ironheart (Marvel):
- 2.5 million views
- 116,000 likes
- 99,000 dislikes
That’s not just a split. That’s an avalanche of backlash for Marvel’s latest project. While Superman is being praised for channeling a sense of hope, purpose, and timeless heroism, Ironheart is once again being criticized for leaning too far into the MCU’s well-worn “girlboss” template—complete with snarky one-liners, over-stylized visuals, and what many see as forced empowerment over character depth.
Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams in Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER. Photo by Eli Adé. © 2022 MARVEL.
That’s not to say Superman is perfect or universally praised. There are plenty of longtime fans who have expressed fear over James Gunn and his take on the Man of Steel. But those numbers seem to indicate that this trailer might have won a few hearts and minds, whereas Ironheart accomplished the opposite.
Superman Feels Timeless. Ironheart Feels Tired.
The Superman trailer, directed by James Gunn, focuses on Clark Kent wrestling with how to do the right thing in a complicated world. He’s heroic, sincere, and—most importantly—written as a character first, not a political symbol. And regardless of how you feel about David Corenswet’s casting or the look of the Superman suit, there’s still a sense of reverence here that’s been missing in many recent superhero projects.
Superman withstands fire in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
By contrast, Ironheart seems determined to follow the same path that The Marvels, Eternals, Quantumania, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Echo took—overly stylized, quippy, and focused more on selling an archetype than telling a compelling story.
While it’s possible the final product will offer more nuance, the trailer isn’t giving skeptics much reason to believe.
And it seems like Marvel know it…
Dumping Half the Show on Day One? That’s Not Confidence.
As previously reported, Marvel will release three of Ironheart’s six episodes on premiere day. That’s not a bold new strategy—it’s a red flag. The studio is frontloading the series in what might be an attempt to inflate “minutes watched” stats, hoping to salvage headlines and maintain the illusion of success.
Ironheart in the trailer for Ironheart – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
This is the same tactic they used with Echo, a series that launched all at once and was quickly forgotten. It’s a move that signals internal doubt and a pre-emptive attempt to get ahead of a potential ratings drop-off.
If Marvel had faith in Ironheart, they’d roll it out weekly and let the story speak for itself.
The Verdict Is In
Marvel once set the standard. But now, DC has an opportunity to capture hearts with a return to sincere, heroic storytelling. Whether they actually do that remains to be seen. But Superman feels as though it could be the movie people have been waiting for—a story about ideals, sacrifice, and identity in a world that desperately needs heroes.
Superman fighting an unknown enemy in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
Ironheart, by comparison, feels like another round of the same old formula: flashy visuals, shallow messaging, and a studio more concerned with optics than impact.
And based on the early reception, the fans see it too.
Are you surprised by this reaction to the Ironheart trailer? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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I’m not convinced Gunn’s Superman is going to do that well. Relative to the current state of Hollywoke, maybe. But not the level of Christopher Reeve’s first Man of Steel entry. That would be a literal miracle.
I want this pathetic attempt at entertainment to fail almost as badly as the abomination that disney has misnamed the fantastic fo’.
Where’s its Bo Derek “10” helmet? Shouldn’t marvel proudly represent the cornrow, they initially threw in with? Cowards.
I would think they would try to lower a typical obnoxious type black female they loved to do so much.
But I still felt it. Nobody likes females who behave this way.
Marvel once again throwing money towards a project no one asked for.
Ironheart is woke with DEI casting. So it will fall fat on its smug, girl-boss face.