Zack Snyder's Justice League arrived on Max in 2021, but it was six years ago today - November 17, 2017 - that Justice League arrived in theaters. That version of the movie featured extensive reshoots helmed by Joss Whedon and was a tonal mess which received a negative response from fans and critics alike.
Years of #ReleaseTheSnyderCut campaigns followed and Warner Bros. eventually gave in. When we finally got to watch the "Snyder Cut," it was impossible to ignore just how much new content there was...no great surprise when it boasted a four-hour runtime and Whedon's additional photography had been put in the trash can.
However, there are some scenes which leapt off the screen and were, to put it simply, on a whole 'nother level!
These amazing sequences weren't in the theatrical cut of Justice League, and that film suffered for it. The moments you'll read about here are not only vastly better, but among the highlights in a film which has redefined the place of these heroes on screen (before DC Studios' upcoming DCU reboot, at least).
10. Superman Returns
After reuniting with Lois and Martha at the farm, Clark points out he was brought back for a reason and has no choice but to once again become Superman.
Heading to the Kryptonian ship in the middle of Metropolis, Kal-El dons his black costume and hears the voices of both his fathers before taking flight. With that, Hans Zimmer's Superman score kicks in for a throwback to Man of Steel which is a real "stand up and punch the air" moment.
Charging himself in front of the sun, Superman stretches out his arms in an almost Biblical moment.
This is peak Snyder, though perhaps not a scene that resonated with everyone. However, it's a striking piece of imagery and one which plays into the mythological side of the character.
9. Don't F*** With Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman 1984's depiction of Diana Prince wasn't to everyone's liking, particularly as her sword and shield were sidelined for...a gentler Diana?
While the Wonder Woman we saw in Justice League's theatrical cut was fine, this version is a badass, fearsome warrior who takes no prisoners. Her fight with Steppenwolf was a highlight, while the way she dealt with him during the final battle will no doubt have stuck the landing with many of you.
However, it's the way Diana deals with those crazies taking hostages early on in the film we loved.
Brutally dispatching them one by one, Wonder Woman proves herself a true force to be reckoned with, and earns that awesome Hans Zimmer score we first heard in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
8. Darkseid's Defeat
The Snyder Cut's version of the war between Apokolips and the combined might of men, Amazons, Atlanteans (and more) is vastly different in this version of Justice League.
Gods like Ares and Zeus see a little more action, as does Yalan Gur. There's also no sign of Steppenwolf; instead, Uxas's humiliating defeat is entirely his own doing. The entire sequence is far more action-packed and feels much grander and mythological in terms of scale.
Honestly, we'd have been happy to see an even longer version of this.
It's a standout sequence in the film, and one which better explains Darkseid's present-day motivations. It never made sense to have Steppenwolf leading the attack, and this film makes that right.
7. Barry Allen Rescues Iris West
Warner Bros. completely cut Kiersey Clemons from 2017's Justice League, so her scene in this film being restored is undoubtedly one of the best things to come out of the Snyder Cut.
Iris West and Barry Allen strike up an immediate attraction when their paths cross, and the Flash noticing what's about to happen to her in that car wreck is a great way to show off the Scarlet Speedster's powers. So too is the way he races into action to save Iris.
As time pretty much comes to a stop around him, Flash nabs a hot dog and manages to carry Iris to safety.
This was clearly meant to lay the groundwork for Rick Famuyiwa's planned take on The Flash, but that film didn't happen, and this past June's effort was a massive disappointment on almost every level.
6. "His Name Is Bruce Wayne"
Joss Whedon reshot Jesse Eisenberg's side of Lex Luthor's conversation with Deathstroke, and that scene ended up setting the stage for a possible sequel which would have pitted the Justice League against "a League of [their] own."
Well, that was all gone in the Snyder Cut.
Instead, this scene (which is no longer a post-credits stinger) did exactly what we expected it to do back in 2017: set the stage for The Batman. That film was meant to pit the Dark Knight against Slade Wilson, and to help the assassin get his revenge for that lost eye, Lex reveals that, "His name is Bruce Wayne."
It's a phenomenal tease, but not one we'll ever see pay off now a reboot beckons.
5. Into The Speed Force
The entire final battle in Zack Snyder's Justice League is absolutely epic. There are plenty of highlights, including the heroes actually working as a team and Superman giving Steppenwolf a beating.
However, when the team's plan fails and the Mother Boxes unite, they're all evaporated.
Barry, injured by one of the Parademons, is left with no other choice than to run faster than he ever has before. Tapping into the Speed Force, the Fastest Man Alive travels back in time, and manages to undo the team's defeat at Darkseid and Steppenwolf's hands.
The visuals are incredible here, and while the Speed Force looks a little different to what you might expect, it's a damn shame Snyder couldn't pass the baton to Famuyiwa as planned because the less said about The Flash's Speed Force, the better.
4. Cyborg's Powers
Cyborg was anything but a highlight in 2017's Justice League, but Ray Fisher's second chance is truly a sight to behold in the Snyder Cut.
The actor delivers a really solid performance, but it's one scene demonstrating the extent of his powers which should make fans of Victor Stone happy. Listening to a recording his father has left him, Cyborg comes to understand what he could do if he were to put his mind to it.
That includes unleashing the world's nuclear arsenal or destroying the economy. His father isn't encouraging the reluctant hero to do that; he's just warning him what might happen if he made that choice.
Instead, Cyborg chooses to help a woman down on her luck. Transferring money into her bank account so she can pay her bills, it's a small gesture, but one which is perfectly realized.
3. Superman Vs. Flash
When Superman is resurrected, he again doesn't have his full senses. That leads to a fight with the Justice League, but there are some noteworthy differences which make this version so much better.
A lot of the terrible dialogue between Superman and Batman (clearly a Whedon idea) has gone, and the Man of Steel attacking the Caped Crusader makes much more sense now. However, an extended fight between Kal-El and Barry Allen is what stands out to us.
Instead of tripping over like a goof, the Flash gets to test his powers against the might of Superman.
It shows that Barry can go toe-to-toe with Clark without a silly race, but also emphasises just how much of a powerhouse Superman is that he can very nearly match Flash's speed.
2. "I Will F***ing Kill You"
The Knightmare scene has its good and bad points. In regards to the latter, we didn't need to hear any more of Amber Heard's weird English accent as Mera.
Deathstroke, unfortunately, is also something of a spare part.
However, Batman's confrontation with The Joker doesn't disappoint. The hatred on the Dark Knight's face as he finds himself forced to work with the Clown Prince of Crime is palpable, and his recollection of Harley Quinn dying in his arms and begging Batman to make sure he kills Joker is gripping.
So too is the line which sees the Caped Crusader vow "I will f***ing kill you" before being forced to accept that playing card (which signifies a truce).
1. The Fall Of The League
When Cyborg taps into the Mother Boxes, he has a devastating vision of the future.
In that, we see Darkseid forcing the Amazons to watch as he burns Wonder Woman. In Atlantis, he uses the Omega Beam to kill an Atlantean after skewering Aquaman on his own trident. In the Batcave, we see Superman cradling the charred remains of Lois Lane before Darkseid steps forward to put the hero under his control with the Anti-Life Equation.
In the Knightmare future, Superman is seen floating atop the remains of the Hall of Justice with Batman's cowl in hand as Kilowog lies dead at his feet.
One cool part after this scene comes when Cyborg says "no" in a bid to stop Barry from using his powers to help bring Superman back, something the Flash mistakes as his signal to "go." Clearly, Victor Stone realizes the ramifications which could come with bringing the Man of Steel back from the dead...if only we'd got to see Snyder's planned sequels, eh?