“Superman” has taken off in a major way. The rebooted superhero film, starring David Corenswet in his debut as the Man of Steel, launched with an impressive $125 million during its opening weekend in North America, beating earlier projections. That makes it the third-highest box office debut of 2025 so far, behind only “A Minecraft Movie” ($162 million) and Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” remake ($146 million).
Internationally, “Superman” earned $95 million from 78 markets, bringing its global opening to $220 million. While those are strong numbers, the international performance was slightly lower than expected — something analysts attribute to Superman’s status as a distinctly American icon.
Why Superman’s Domestic Performance Outshined Overseas
Box office experts weren’t shocked by the U.S.-heavy performance. Superman has long symbolized “truth, justice, and the American way,” which resonates strongly with American audiences. However, that patriotic identity doesn’t always translate as well overseas — especially in regions where sentiment toward the U.S. is less favorable.
“This is an outstanding domestic opening,” said David A. Gross from FranchiseRe. “The only softness is overseas, where Superman’s American identity may not carry the same universal appeal.”
High Stakes for Warner Bros. and the New DC Universe
Warner Bros. and DC Studios were under pressure to deliver. The film reportedly cost $225 million to make, with an additional $100 million spent on global marketing. But it’s not just about ticket sales — this “Superman” marks the beginning of a completely overhauled DC cinematic universe.
The studio brought on James Gunn and Peter Safran to reboot the franchise after previous DC films like “The Flash,” “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” and “Shazam: Fury of the Gods” failed to make a significant impact at the box office.
“We now have a clear vision for DC,” said Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. “James and Peter are leading the way with creativity and purpose.”
Upcoming titles in this new DC Universe include “Supergirl” and “Clayface” in 2026, along with a fresh take on “Wonder Woman.”
James Gunn Brings a Lighter, Human-Centric Tone
Directed by James Gunn, known for hits like “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “The Suicide Squad,” the new “Superman” leans into emotional storytelling rather than big-name stars. The plot follows Superman trying to prove his good intentions after Lex Luthor (played by Nicholas Hoult) schemes to turn the world against him.
The film also features Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and even includes Superman’s loyal pet, Krypto the Superdog.
Critics and fans have largely embraced the reboot, giving it an 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an “A-” grade from CinemaScore exit polls. Attendance trends show younger audiences are especially interested — 28% of viewers were under the age of 25.
“This is a classic hero arc — an ordinary man gifted with power, trying to do the right thing,” said analyst David Gross. “It’s relatable and timeless.”
Imax Screens Boost Visual Experience and Ticket Sales
The film’s performance got a big lift from Imax screens. In North America, Imax accounted for $19.1 million (15.6% of domestic revenue), and $30.4 million globally.
“Superman makes great use of Imax visuals, and audiences showed up for that experience,” said Imax CEO Rich Gelfond. “This continues a strong trend — Imax is driving results globally for visually stunning films.”
DC’s Rebound Continues Warner Bros.’ Hot Streak
“Superman” follows a successful run for Warner Bros., with other recent hits like “A Minecraft Movie,” “Final Destination: Bloodlines,” “Sinners,” and “F1: The Movie” drawing big numbers.
These wins are helping the studio recover from a rough patch that included flops like “Mickey 17,” “The Alto Knights,” and “Joker: Folie à Deux.”
Overall, Comscore reports that U.S. box office revenue is up 15% compared to the same period in 2024. However, it’s still 24% below pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
With upcoming films like Marvel’s “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” Liam Neeson’s “The Naked Gun” reboot, and Disney’s “Freakier Friday,” studios hope to break more records before summer ends.
“Jurassic World Rebirth” Tumbles in Second Weekend
While “Superman” took the top spot, it also dealt a blow to last week’s box office champion, Universal’s “Jurassic World Rebirth.” The dinosaur franchise’s latest installment earned $40 million in its second weekend — a steep 57% drop from its debut.
Still, with $232 million earned domestically and $529 million worldwide so far, the film has proven itself to be a global hit. Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali led the cast in this reboot of the iconic franchise.
Apple’s “F1” Holds Steady in Third Place
In third place, Apple and Warner Bros.’ “F1” — starring Brad Pitt — made $13 million in its third weekend. Despite a 50% dip, the adult-focused sports drama has reached $136 million in the U.S. and $393 million globally. Its $250 million budget makes it a high-risk project, but it has already become Apple’s highest-grossing film to date.
“How to Train Your Dragon” and “Elio” Round Out the Top 5
Universal’s live-action reboot of “How to Train Your Dragon” came in fourth, adding $7.8 million. It has now earned $239 million domestically and $560 million worldwide, proving that the beloved franchise still has staying power.
Pixar’s “Elio,” however, continues to struggle. The animated space adventure added just $4 million in its fourth weekend and has made only $63 million domestically. Its global total sits at $117 million — far below its $150 million production budget, meaning it’s on track to be a significant box office disappointment for Disney.
Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” Nears $1 Billion
Disney isn’t too worried about “Elio” thanks to the enormous success of its “Lilo & Stitch” live-action remake. After eight weeks in theaters, it has earned $414.6 million in the U.S. and is just shy of $1 billion globally.
Thanks to massive merchandise sales alongside ticket revenue, the film has become a financial goldmine for Disney — and a sequel is already in development.
“Superman” Gives DC a Much-Needed Win
With a strong opening and positive word-of-mouth, “Superman” is shaping up to be the film that finally restores fan confidence in DC Studios. But the real challenge will be longevity — keeping those ticket sales high in the coming weeks.
As summer heats up, competition from Marvel, Disney, and other studios will intensify. Still, for now, DC can breathe a sigh of relief: their most iconic hero has made a triumphant return to the big screen.
The Information is Collected from Variety and IMDb.
