James Gunn’s much-anticipated ‘Superman’ has soared to the top of the global box office, delivering a robust opening weekend that has left recent blockbusters ‘F1’ and ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ trailing in its wake. The film, starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, debuted to an impressive $122 million in North America and a further $95 million internationally, bringing its global total to $217 million for its opening frame.
This strong performance marks a significant turnaround for DC Studios, which has struggled in recent years to match the box office dominance of rival superhero franchises. Warner Bros. executives view the film as a pivotal moment for the studio’s future in the genre, with Gunn’s vision both revitalising the character and re-energising the broader DC cinematic universe.
‘Superman’ outperformed both ‘F1’ and ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ at the box office this weekend. While ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ had previously enjoyed a strong opening and continued to draw audiences, its second-weekend earnings fell to $40 million, allowing ‘Superman’ to claim the top spot. Meanwhile, ‘F1’, which entered the market with significant hype and a reported $200 million budget, failed to match the superhero film’s momentum, with industry analysts suggesting it may struggle to recoup its costs through theatrical receipts alone.
Industry observers had projected an even higher debut for ‘Superman’, with some estimates reaching $130 million domestically. However, the film’s $122 million North American haul is still the third-highest opening of 2025, behind only ‘Lilo & Stitch’ and ‘A Minecraft Movie’. The film’s strong CinemaScore of A- and a 93% positive audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes suggest positive word-of-mouth could sustain its box office run in the weeks ahead.
The success of ‘Superman’ comes amid talk of so-called ‘superhero fatigue’ in Hollywood, as recent Marvel and DC releases have struggled to capture the public’s imagination. However, analysts point to the film’s performance as evidence that audiences remain enthusiastic for well-crafted superhero stories, especially when anchored by a fresh creative vision.
Despite fierce competition, James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ has not only revived interest in the iconic character but also overshadowed its summer rivals, reasserting DC’s place in the blockbuster landscape.
