Warner Bros. scores big with strong previews, strong in-theater marketing, and no political fallout as James Gunn’s Superman revival soars into theaters
Los Angeles, July 12:
Warner Bros. and DC Studios’ Superman, directed by James Gunn, is off to a powerful start, generating an impressive $55 million on its first day, including $22.5 million from Thursday previews — the highest preview haul of 2025 so far and the best-ever for Gunn, surpassing even Barbie ($22.3M) and The Batman ($21.6M).
According to current projections, the superhero epic is on track for a $115M–$120M three-day opening, though some insiders suggest the film could climb higher depending on weekend walk-ups. Superman is now poised to become one of the top openings of the year.
ALSO READ: Superman 2025 Review: James Gunn Crafts a Man of Steel You Can Feel!
Red vs. Blue Counties? No Impact, Say Insiders
Despite early speculation that MAGA sentiment or political backlash might affect the movie’s earnings due to Gunn’s perceived political leanings, box office analytics firm EntTelligence reports no measurable impact. According to their data:
- 60% of presale revenue came from traditionally blue counties.
- 34% came from red counties, right in line with historical norms for family-oriented PG-13 films.
- 44% of ticket sales are from urban centers with populations of over 1 million — again, matching typical metrics for blockbuster releases.
The data suggests that Gunn’s political views are irrelevant to general audiences, especially non-frequent moviegoers, who rarely base ticket purchases on behind-the-scenes opinions.
Trailer Marketing Hits the Mark
Another win for Warner Bros: EntTelligence reports that the in-theater trailer for Superman reached 95.7 million moviegoers, thanks in part to its placement ahead of WB/Legendary’s Minecraft Movie. This underscores a highly effective in-cinema marketing strategy, especially as studios express concern over declining online trailer engagement.
How Does Superman Compare to Other Openings?
Let’s take a look at how Superman stacks up against comparable comic book films:
| Film | Opening Day + Previews | 3-Day Total | Saturday Drop |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Batman (2022) | $56.6M | $134M | -24% |
| GOTG Vol. 2 | $56M | $146.5M | -9% |
| GOTG Vol. 3 | $48.1M | $118.4M | -19% |
| Superman (2025) | $55M (est.) | $115M–$120M (est.) | TBD |
Early crowd reactions have also been extremely positive:
- 78% definite recommend score on PostTrak among general audiences.
- 5-star reviews from parents and kids under 12.
Political Distractions? Not Kryptonite
Some speculated whether political jabs from Fox News or even Donald Trump’s meme post on the White House X handle might hurt Superman‘s box office momentum. But as one industry insider bluntly put it:
“Get out of the way — here comes Superman. No distractions are slowing this down.”
Current Box Office Rankings (Updated Friday Midday):
- 🦸♂️ Superman (WB) – $55M Friday, $115M–$120M Weekend, 4,135 theaters
- 🦖 Jurassic World: Rebirth (Universal) – $10.8M Friday, $37M Weekend (–60%), $229.1M total
- 🏎 F1 (WB) – $3M Friday, $10.7M Weekend (–58%), $133.8M total
- 🐉 How to Train Your Dragon (Universal) – $1.7M Friday, $5.7M Weekend (–49%), $237.7M total
- 👽 Elio (Disney) – $950K Friday, $3.1M Weekend (–46%), $62.8M total
Conclusion:
With glowing audience feedback, exceptional trailer reach, and no significant backlash affecting its performance, Superman is proving to be a heroic comeback for the DC brand. As James Gunn’s vision kicks off a new era for the franchise, all signs point toward an extended and profitable box office flight.