Superman Poised for Record-Breaking Box Office Launch
James Gunn’s Superman is on track for a potentially record-setting domestic box office opening, projected to reach between $115 million and $120 million. The film topped Friday’s box office with $56.5 million, which includes a significant $22.5 million from early screenings.
Revitalizing the DC Franchise
The film is showing promise in revitalizing DC Studios and its flagship comic book series. Gunn, who is both the writer-director of the film and co-head of DC alongside Peter Safran, holds a unique position within the studio. Internationally, Superman is expected to earn over $100 million from 78 international markets, having already pulled in $40 million during its initial days abroad, leading to a combined global total of $96.5 million by Friday.
A Milestone for Superhero Films
If Superman surpasses $116.6 million, it will surpass Zack Snyder’s 2013 film Man of Steel, which made $116.7 million, marking the biggest domestic opening for a standalone Superman film unadjusted for inflation. In contrast, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice holds the record for the highest DC opening at $166.6 million.
Gunn’s Transition from Marvel to DC
This film is only the third Hollywood release of 2025 to break the $100 million barrier, following A Minecraft Movie and Disney’s Lilo & Stitch live-action remake. Achieving such numbers is a significant hurdle for films in today’s post-pandemic market, particularly for the superhero genre, which has faced challenges recently.
Pre-Release Buzz and Audience Reception
Leading up to its release, Superman attracted significant attention, even catching the interest of figures like President Donald Trump. Although some tracking services predicted a higher opening of over $130 million, Warner Bros. and DC maintained a more conservative estimate of over $100 million due to market saturation with similar films.
Positive Early Reviews and Audience Demographics
Initial exit polls revealed that 68% of ticket buyers were male, with almost two-thirds being aged 18 to 34. However, the film’s strong word-of-mouth and positive reviews, including an A- CinemaScore, indicate the potential for a solid box office run. On Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts a high audience score of 94% and a critics’ score of 82%.
Looking Ahead with Future Projects
Featuring David Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, the film marks Gunn’s inaugural DC project since taking charge of the franchise in November 2022. Upcoming titles include HBO’s Green Lantern series and a Supergirl movie scheduled for 2026. Meanwhile, Jurassic World Rebirth and F1: The Movie continue to perform well at the box office, rounding out the top spots.
