During the late 1990s and early 2000s, movie marketing relied heavily on interactive websites. Because The Iron Giant suffered from notoriously poor theatrical marketing from Warner Bros., the studio and independent web creators attempted to make up ground online.

Fan culture surrounding The Iron Giant has been thriving since its release. Enthusiasts have created various forms of content, including fan art, cosplay, and fiction. This creative output is a testament to the film's enduring appeal and the passion of its fan base.