Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Superman” has grossed approximately $56.5 million domestically, adding $22.5 million from preview screenings, CNN reported. The comic book hero, created in 1938 and turned into a film series in 1978, is expected to reach nearly $130 million in the U.S. over the weekend.
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“Superman has been one of the most difficult films to project,” said Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango and founder of Box Office Theory, citing the recent lower interest in comic book movies and DC Studios’ struggles compared to Marvel’s successes. This is why James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios and director of “Superman,” unveiled new plans for the franchise in 2023.
“This is a Superman movie for the modern era and also represents an opportunity for a sort of reboot of the DC Comics world,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore.
Early estimates projected around $90 million for the opening weekend, Dergarabedian noted. However, the film was well received by audiences and critics, with an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 95% on Popcornmeter, contributing to the higher forecast.
James Gunn’s vision for “Superman” differs from previous adaptations, including Zack Snyder’s 2013 “Man of Steel,” which grossed $402.6 million domestically, adjusted for inflation.
This year’s “Superman” has also benefited from heightened interest in summer blockbusters in recent weeks, such as “Jurassic World Rebirth,” which debuted last week with $147 million domestically.
“‘Superman’ just screams ‘summer popcorn movie.’ That’s an irresistible combination for moviegoers,” said Dergarabedian.
Robbins believes that “Superman” in 2025 differs from “Man of Steel” and other comic book films because it has “a lighter tone” and “a sense of optimism.” It may appeal both to comic book fans and family audiences, despite its PG-13 rating.
Some superhero productions have recently underperformed as audiences appear to have grown fatigued with the genre — for example, 2023’s “The Marvels,” which opened with $46 million — the weakest opening weekend in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. By comparison, the R-rated “Deadpool & Wolverine” collected over $200 million in its opening weekend in July 2024.
“There have simply been so many superhero movies over the last 20 years that audiences start thinking, ‘I’ve seen this before. It’s good, but I want something different,’” Robbins said.
Ultimately, the success of the optimistically toned “Superman” will depend on word of mouth, Robbins believes.
“It has always been an expectations game and it always will be,” he added. |BGNES