Unless you haven’t checked the internet in over a year, you’ve probably heard about the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, aka a re-cut and somewhat re-shot version of 2017’s Justice League.
I genuinely thought this day would never come, but the Snyder Cut is here and available to stream on HBO Max.
So, in the interest of public service, I watched both movies, and here is a list of all the differences between the original theatrical cut of Justice League and Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
🚨🚨MAJOR SPOILER ALERT 🚨🚨 This post basically spoils ALL of both Justice League and Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Seriously, it is chock-full of spoilers. Turn back now if that’s not what you want.
1. Right off the top, there are some pretty clear technical differences between the movies.
2. The movies have different opening scenes.
3. Each hero’s introduction is at least a little different, and some of them have new introductions altogether.
4. One of the most immediately obvious differences between the two movies is Steppenwolf’s appearance.
5. Steppenwolf’s fight against the Amazons is longer and highlights more of their fighting style.
6. Diana’s knowledge of the Mother Boxes comes from her finding a cave painting that explains the mythology of Darkseid, the Anti-Life Equation, and the Mother Boxes.
7. The Snyder version expands Aquaman’s backstory in a way that ties in better with Aquaman.
8. This version also reveals that Steppenwolf isn’t the big bad we originally thought he was, and that he actually reports to DeSaad, who in turn reports to Darkseid.
9. In this version, Darkseid is the one who invaded Earth and fought against the Amazons, Atlantans, Greek Gods, and humans, not Steppenwolf.
10. Barry Allen’s introduction is completely different in this movie.
11. One of the biggest changes this version made was expanding Victor Stone/Cyborg’s backstory.
12. We learn that as Cyborg, he can control/infiltrate any kind of technology, which allows him to even manipulate banks and the stock market.
13. Bruce’s first scene with Barry/The Flash and Diana’s first scene with Victor/Cyborg are both still in the movie, but they’re each slightly different.
14. Amber Heard’s Mera looks about the same in both versions, but she has a British accent in this one.
15. The discussion to bring Superman back to life involves the whole team, instead of being an argument between Bruce and Diana.
16. Instead of bringing him back because they need him to be the team leader, they do it because he’s the only one strong enough to fight Steppenwolf.
17. The scene between Lois Lane and Martha Kent is very different from the one in the theatrical cut. Also, MARTHA IS ACTUALLY MARTIAN MANHUNTER IN DISGUISE.
18. When the Mother Box turns on to revive Superman, Victor is connected to it and has a vision in which Wonder Woman and Aquaman are dead.
19. This is a trend throughout the whole movie, but the coloring is really different in each version of Superman’s resurrection.
20. Superman uses heat vision against Batman when he sees him again, which is a bit more intense than what he did in the theatrical version.
21. HUGE change from the theatrical release: Cyborg’s father dies!
22. Clark and Lois’s scene on Kent Farm has completely different dialogue and a different ending.
23. The team’s plan for fighting Steppenwolf makes more sense in this version. There are two long planning scenes that weren’t in the theatrical release.
24. Superman goes to the Fortress of Solitude! I’m pretty sure it’s just his old ship, but he hears both of his dads (Pa Kent and Jor-El, aw) and gets his hands on some new clothes...
25. ...AND IT’S THE BLACK SUPERMAN SUIT, HELLO THERE.
26. There really is a lot of blood in this version, thanks, R rating!
27. The Russian family that we see throughout the theatrical version, who is eventually saved by the Flash during the climax, is not in this version.
28. Alfred has a lot more interaction with the non-Batman members of the Justice League, including a scene with Superman.
29. The Unity (aka the three Mother Boxes) has a totally different design in both versions, and the fight with Steppenwolf plays out differently.
30. Superman’s entrance to the final fight is waaay better in this version.
31. When Superman and Cyborg separate the three Mother Boxes, there’s no giant explosion like there was in the original.
32. Massive super cool change: THE FLASH TURNS BACK TIME. He’s not able to help Cyborg in time, but he’s able to run fast enough to rewind everything...
33. ...and as soon as the Flash touches Cyborg with the supercharge, we see Victor inside the Boxes, where he sees himself with his parents, the way he was before his accident.
34. Steppenwolf’s death is completely different.
35. This shot of Wonder Woman is used in both films, but in the Snyder version she’s cutting off Steppenwolf’s head. In the theatrical version, she was just destroying his ax.
36. We also see Darkseid and DeSaad discussing how they'll attack Earth in the future, with Darkseid concluding that he’ll “do it the old way.” Very Thanos vibes.
37. Onto the epilogue! We seemingly get confirmation that Lois is pregnant.
38. The final voiceover monologue was originally delivered by Lois, but in this version it’s by Victor’s father, Silas, who left his son a tape with a voice message.
39. Diana’s outfit is an entirely different color in the scene where she, Bruce, and Alfred are looking at potential Justice League HQs.
40. This movie doesn’t have any post- or mid-credits scenes, but it does include the post-credits scene with Lex Luthor and Deathstroke as part of the epilogue.
OK, now for the scene that will have us all salivating for the future Zack Snyder–led Justice League future we will probably never get...
This scene was in no way, shape, or form in Justice League, but there were subtle hints of it in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, which was also directed by Snyder.
41. Batman has a nightmare about the future, and it is INTENSE.
42. Just because it’s a big deal, let’s take a look at how different the Joker looks from when we last saw him in Suicide Squad.
43. Batman wakes up from his nightmare to a visit from Martian Manhunter, who tells him that Darkseid will be back, and that they need to find the Anti-Life Equation before he does.
PHEW. There it is. All (or most, hopefully) of the differences between both versions of Justice League. Did I miss any? Which version of the movie is your favorite? Discuss!
Personally, even though the Snyder version is way too long and not quiiiite perfect, I like it better than the version we saw in 2017. It was more logical, more emotional, and felt more epic. The characters arcs did the whole cast justice (pun intended). It’s incredibly satisfying to see Zack Snyder’s full vision after so long!