James Gunn’s Superman Soars at the Box Office: A New Era for DC Studios
James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman is making waves at the box office, showcasing the potential of DC Studios and Warner Bros. The film is projected to dominate Friday’s domestic box office with an impressive $55 million, which includes a record-breaking $22.5 million from Thursday previews and earlier IMAX sneak screenings, according to initial reports.
As excitement builds around Superman, the film’s opening has faced intense scrutiny. While Warner Bros. and DC Studios cautiously estimated an opening weekend of over $100 million, leading industry trackers anticipated a stronger debut of $130 million. However, it seems that the studios were prudent in managing expectations. Despite its stellar preview earnings, Superman is now estimated to debut domestically in the range of $115 million to $120 million, with the potential for adjustments based on audience turnout.
The film’s buzz is palpable, with even notable figures like former President Donald Trump joining the conversation by sharing a meme of himself as the new Man of Steel. While Superman may not break any major records for director James Gunn, it marks a significant milestone for the reimagined DC Studios, which Gunn leads alongside producer Peter Safran.
Crossing the $100 million mark is a remarkable achievement for any film, especially in the current superhero landscape, which has seen some audience fatigue. If Superman surpasses this milestone, it will be the first superhero film to do so in North America since Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine, which raked in $211 million during its summer 2024 opening. Furthermore, it will be the first DC film to surpass the $100 million threshold in eight years, following Wonder Woman, which debuted at $103.3 million in 2017.
Superman is presently only the third film of 2025 to launch with over $100 million, following A Minecraft Movie ($162.8 million) and Lilo & Stitch ($146 million). In comparison, Jurassic World Rebirth opened with $92 million over the Fourth of July weekend, ultimately grossing nearly $148 million in its first five days. This sequel is expected to earn around $37 million in its second weekend, bringing its domestic total close to $230 million and posing competition for Superman. Additionally, the male-centric F1: The Movie is projected to earn another $10 million this weekend.
The $22.5 million preview gross not only sets a personal record for Gunn, but it also highlights his impressive track record with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, which includes a domestic opening of $146.5 million for the second installment (not adjusted for inflation). Gunn’s unique role as both the film’s writer-director and co-head of DC Studios adds an interesting dimension to this project.
Superman is also set to open in 78 international markets, with early predictions suggesting a global debut exceeding $100 million. For context, Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice holds the record for a Superman film with a domestic opening of $166 million (not adjusted for inflation). The last solo Superman movie, Snyder’s Man of Steel, debuted to $116 million, while Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns had a six-day North American opening of over $84 million nearly two decades ago.
Given the fluctuating tracking numbers in recent months, it’s no surprise that Gunn and Safran are treading carefully as they monitor Superman‘s performance. The film stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent (Superman), Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The supporting cast includes Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific.
As Gunn embarks on his first DC film since taking the helm of Warner Bros.’ superhero label in November 2022, fans can also look forward to upcoming projects like HBO’s Green Lantern series and a Supergirl movie slated for 2026.
Stay tuned for updates as Superman continues to make an impact at the box office!
