History Heartwarming / ManOfSteel

** Heck, the entire treatment of their romance's origins makes it come out of a Heartwarming place. Clark's first meeting with Lois was in saving her life. She then looks for him partly out of a desire to find a hero to inspire the world--and pieces things together through an understanding of his sense of honor and character. Then she comes to understand his desire for secrecy, and preserves his anonymity. When Supes confronts Zod, Lois is sure to stand by his side and help him [[spoiler: and Jor-El]] save the world.
** After Superman saves her from the pod, and begins to fly off, what does Lois cry out? "Clark!"

** What's more, this is one of the few non-sequel superhero films that actually ends with the hero getting the girl. [[Film/SpiderMan No]] [[Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan pushing away]], [[Film/TheDarkKnight no]] [[{{Film/Daredevil}} death]], [[{{Film/Thor}} no]] [[Film/TheIncredibleHulk long]] [[Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger distance]]. Just a couple smiling warmly at each other.

* Despite the enormous internet backdraft that greeted the announcement, there are still plenty of people who are happy to see Creator/BenAffleck cast as {{Batman}} for the sequel, including Scott Snyder, Creator/GrantMorrison, Creator/JossWhedon, Creator/HughJackman, Contender for the part Creator/JoshBrolin, Creator/MarkMillar, Creator/ChristianBale and even [[Series/{{Smallville}} Tom Welling]]. Most heartwarming of all was this defense http://ie.ign.com/articles/2013/08/26/patton-oswalt-defends-ben-affleck-batman-casting from Patton Oswalt, showing that Affleck might just be right for the role after all.
* The fact that, after years of failed attempts, aborted projects and outcry from fans, we will finally be getting a live-action WonderWoman in the sequel.

** What's more, this is one of the few non-sequel superhero films that actually ends with the hero getting the girl. [[Film/SpiderMan No]] [[Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan pushing away]], [[TheDarkKnight no]] [[{{Film/Daredevil}} death]], [[{{Film/Thor}} no]] [[TheIncredibleHulk long]] [[CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger distance]]. Just a couple smiling warmly at each other.

** When citizens who know Clark's true identity are implored by the government and media to turn him in to appease Zod, Pete keeps his mouth shut.

** What's more, this is one of the few non-sequel superhero films that actually ends with the hero getting the girl. No pushing away, no death, no long-distance. Just a couple smiling warmly at each other.

** What's more, this is one of the few superhero films that actually ends with the hero getting the girl. No pushing away, no death, no long-distance. Just a couple smiling warmly at each other.

* The look on Pa Kent's face [[spoiler:as he watches young Clark playing superhero with Shelby]]. It's a mix of TearJerker and Heartwarming, as [[spoiler:even though he never managed to see Clark don the suit and become a superhero, he did see that potential emanating from his son, and he truly believes it will happen]]. That whole scene was just made of adorable and bittersweet.

* That one final flashback that shows Clark's childhood wasn't completely miserable.
** And Jonathan's profound glance at a young Clark in a red cape, not knowing but feeling that Clark would become something larger than life.

-->'''Clark:''' [[IJustWantToBeNormal Can't I just keep pretending I'm your son?]]
-->'''Jon:''' You ''are'' my son.
* Even before he becomes Superman, Clark wanders the Earth doing good where he is needed, saving people. He's willing to help simply because he can... just like anyone of us who can be {{Heroic Bystander}}s if not superheroes.

* The look on Pa Kent's face [[spoiler: as he watches young Clark playing superhero with Shelby.]] It's a mix of Tearjerker and Heartwarming, as [[spoiler: even though he never managed to see Clark don the suit and become a superhero, he did see that potential emanating from his son, and he truly believes it will happen]]. That whole scene was just made of adorable and bittersweet.

** Moreso when you realize it's the first time they've referred to Clark as a man rather than 'the alien'.

* Lois comforting Superman [[spoiler: after the latter had just killed Zod and was [[HeroicBSOD faced with]] [[TheseHandsHaveKilled what he had just done]].]]

* Clark spends much of the film feeling outcast because of his Alien heritage and feeling isolated from humanity. In the final battle, he has the choice between creating his homeworld again or defending his adopted one and he chooses Earth. This is solidified by the fact that he completely destroys any connection to his homeworld by [[spoiler: killing Zod.]]
* Steve Lombard, sleaze and all-round jerkass in the comics, trying to free Jenny from the rubble and Perry refusing to abandon her when it looks like the end is near.
* Every interaction between Clark and his mother, Martha. Full Stop.
-->'''Martha:''' Nice suit son.
** It's so sweet to see her reaction when he comes home for the first time in God knows how long. And he's happy to see her too, as he eagerly runs up the path to give her a nice big hug! [[spoiler: It's especially endearing when we soon learn that Jonathan Kent passed away in '97 and that Clark went on a self-imposed [[WalkingTheEarth quest]] thinking he failed his father.]] In another story, that kind of event would lead to alienation. But not Clark and Martha; a strong family is one that sticks together, no matter what.

* The finale. Zod has been defeated, the world trusts Superman and Metropolis is on it's way to recovery. In the final moments, we see Clark entering the elevator of ''The Daily Planet'' and donning a familiar set of spectacles. We see the final exchange between Clark and Lois that lets us know that they both know his secret.
* In the first flashback in which we see him, Pete Ross is a bully who's teasing Clark on the school bus before it veers off and crashes into the river. He is then saved by him, and his mother declares it a miracle. In a second flashback, we see a young teenage Clark get bullied by other kids, and Pete doesn't join in. He then walks up to Clark and helps him out. Clark hasn't even become Superman yet, and he's inspiring people to become better then they are.

* When Faora orders General Swanick to send Lois onto the Kryptonian ship with Clark, he refuses because that hadn't been part of the deal. It establishes both the moral ambiguity of the Kryptonians, and that Swanick's antagonizing of Clark isn't necessarily personal, he's just following protocol.

* A small one to the fisherman who pushed Clark out the way before an extremely heavy metal cage almost fell on him. Sure, it wouldn't have hurt to Clark but it is an example of human decency. Also could be an example of Good Is Not Nice, because the guy scolded Clark to be more careful afterwards.

* Despite the enormous internet backdraft that greeted the announcement, there are still plenty of people who are happy to see Ben Affleck cast as Batman for the sequel including Scott Snyder, Grant Morrison, Joss Whedon, Hugh Jackman, Contender for the part Josh Brolin, Mark Millar and Christian Bale. Most heartwarming of all was this defense http://ie.ign.com/articles/2013/08/26/patton-oswalt-defends-ben-affleck-batman-casting from Patton Oswalt, showing that Affleck might just be right for the role after all.
* The fact that, after years of failed attempts, aborted projects and outcry from fans, we will finally be getting a live-action Wonder Woman in the sequel.

** And Johnathan's profound glance at a young Clark in a red cape, not knowing but feeling that Clark would become something larger than life.

* The fact that, after years of failed attempts, aborted projects and outcry from fans, we will finally be getting a live-action Wonder Woman in the sequel.

* Despite the enormous internet backdraft that greeted the announcement, there are still plenty of people who are happy to see Ben Affleck cast as Batman for the sequel including Scott Snyder, Grant Morrison, Joss Whedon, Hugh Jackman, Contender for the part Josh Brolin, and Mark Millar. Most heartwarming of all was this defense http://ie.ign.com/articles/2013/08/26/patton-oswalt-defends-ben-affleck-batman-casting from Patton Oswalt, showing that Affleck might just be right for the role after all.

* The big joyful grin that Clark has as the film ends that lets us know that he has finally found his place in the world.

* A small one to the fisherman who pushed Clark out the way before an extremely heavy metal cage almost fell on him. Sure, it wouldn't have hurt to Clark but it is an example of human decency. Also could be an example of Good Is Not Nice, because the guy scolded Clark to be more careful afterwards.

* The smile on Clark's face when he finally learns his birth name.

* When Faora orders General Swanick to send Lois onto the Kryptonian ship with Clark, he refuses because that hadn't been part of the deal. It establishes both the moral ambiguity of the Kryptonians, and that Swanick's antagonizing of Clark isn't necessarily personal, he's just following protocol.

* The finale. Zod has been defeated, the world trusts Superman and Metropolis is on it's way to recovery. In the final moments, we see Clark entering the elevator of ''The Daily Planet'' and donning a familiar set of spectacles. We see the final exchange between Clark and Lois that lets us know that They both know his secret.

* Superman and Lois finally kissing after he catches her when she falls out of the military plane.

* In the third trailer, after Clark learns he's an extraterrestrial (doubles as TearJerker):

* Jor-El's speech to Clark after he meets his hologram. In an industry that is full of cynicism and forced realism, Jor-El's messgae comes across as one of unwavering confidence in the human race and is framed as the mechanism in defining Superman as not the invincible superhero, but someone to invoke potential and inspire many to move further.

* The look on Pa Kent's face [[spoiler: as he watches young Clark playing superhero with Shelby.]] It's a mix of Tearjerker and Heartwarming, as [[spoiler: even though he never managed to see Clark don the suit and become a superhero, he did see that potential emanating from his son, and he truly believes it will happen.]]
** That whole scene was just made of adorable and bittersweet. I certainly teared up a bit.