James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ reboot delivers a high-flying $123 million domestic launch, earning strong audience praise, robust walk-up sales, and breaking preview records for 2025.
LOS ANGELES, July 13, 2025 – DC Studios’ Superman, directed by James Gunn, has taken flight with a massive $123 million opening weekend at the domestic box office. This makes it the second-best opening for a Superman film in cinematic history—just behind 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice ($166M)—and a triumphant first entry in DC’s new “Gods and Monsters” phase.
Although early predictions hinted at a possible $140M-$150M debut following record-breaking $22.5M preview earnings, the current $123M 3-day total is still a win for Warner Bros., especially given the modern volatility of superhero movie performances.
Saturday Drop, But Solid Legs
After a $56.5M Friday (including previews), Superman dipped -34% on Saturday, earning $37M—comparable to 2013’s Man of Steel Saturday drop and demonstrating relatively stable legs. Current projections estimate a strong Sunday hold of around $30M, a pattern that would mirror Man of Steel’s unexpected even-Saturday-to-Sunday performance.
Importantly, audience feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with:
- A- CinemaScore
- 86% positive rating on PostTrak
- 74% definite recommend rate
These indicators suggest strong word of mouth, crucial for Superman’s box office sustainability heading into the summer weeks.
Audience Demographics & Marketing Impact
The film drew a diverse crowd, especially among younger audiences:
- 66% of viewers were under 35
- 26% Latino/Hispanic, 19% Black, 9% Asian, 41% Caucasian
- 68% male / 32% female
- Top demo: Men 18–24 at 31%
Key motivators for ticket buyers included:
- 49%: “Looked fun and entertaining”
- 43%: “Superhero genre”
- 40%: Franchise loyalty
- 26%: Interest in the cast (David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult)
Marketing Insights:
- 49% of tickets were walk-up sales — a strong indicator of momentum
- Social media was the most influential channel (20%), followed by in-theater trailers (15%)
Superman vs. Superhero Competitors
Despite online chatter—especially from MAGA circles—surrounding James Gunn’s comments about Superman’s immigrant metaphor, data shows no underperformance in red-state regions. In fact, ticket sales have aligned with typical PG-13 family adventure norms.
Superman is outperforming other 2025 superhero entries, such as:
- Captain America: Brave New World – $88.8M opening
- Thunderbolts – $74.3M opening
It also stands as James Gunn’s second-best domestic opener, behind Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 ($146.5M).
Box Office Comparison and Historical Context
| Movie | Opening Weekend (3-Day) | CinemaScore |
|---|---|---|
| Batman v Superman | $166M | B |
| Superman (2025) | $123M | A- |
| Man of Steel (2013) | $116.6M | A- |
| Superman Returns (2006) | $52.5M | B+ |
Critics praised the film’s heart, visuals, and performances, contributing to an 82% critic score and 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Strong Boost for Summer Box Office
With Superman leading the charge, the second weekend of July box office totals $197M across all titles—a post-COVID record for this frame and up 60% from the same period last year.
Top-performing theaters include AMC Burbank ($170K+) and Mann’s Chinese Theatre, where IMAX screenings neared sellouts. PLFs and IMAX represented 42% of total box office revenue for Superman.
James Gunn’s Superman is off to a flying start, signaling a new era of success for DC Studios. With glowing reviews, solid audience feedback, and impressive diversity metrics, Superman is on track to become a tentpole franchise rebirth for Warner Bros.