James Gunn’s much-anticipated Superman is proving to be a major summer hit, crossing the $300 million mark globally as it heads confidently into its second weekend in theaters. The rebooted DC superhero film is not just surviving the current genre fatigue facing superhero movies — it’s thriving.
The film has already grossed an impressive $177.7 million in the domestic market (U.S. and Canada), showing strong attendance even on weekdays — a sign of both strong word-of-mouth and sustained audience interest.
With no serious competitors this weekend, Superman is widely expected to retain its top position at the global box office. Meanwhile, two newly released reboots — I Know What You Did Last Summer and Smurfs — are struggling to gain momentum and are expected to open with significantly lower numbers.
Superman Breaks the Slump Facing Superhero Movies
For the past few years, superhero films — once box office powerhouses — have shown signs of waning popularity. Recent releases from both Marvel and DC have struggled to match previous highs. But Superman, produced by DC Studios and Warner Bros. under the creative direction of James Gunn, seems to be bucking that trend.
Unlike the formulaic and overstuffed superhero films that have recently saturated the market, Gunn’s Superman delivers a fresh tone, character-driven narrative, and a compelling emotional arc. These elements have resonated with audiences and critics alike. The film currently holds a positive critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, and early audience feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable across multiple platforms.
Moreover, the timing of the release has worked to its advantage. With Fantastic Four: First Steps — Marvel’s next major release — not due until July 25, Superman enjoys an unchallenged run during a prime summer window.
Horror Reboot I Know What You Did Last Summer Stumbles Despite Returning Stars
Released by Columbia Pictures and Screen Gems, the new I Know What You Did Last Summer attempts to reboot the popular late-90s slasher franchise. While the film brings back original stars Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr., nostalgia alone doesn’t appear to be enough to save it from a lukewarm reception.
The R-rated horror film, which premiered with $2.2 million in Thursday previews, is expected to open to less than $13 million domestically, signaling weak interest among general audiences. This is a major disappointment for a franchise that once helped define a generation of horror.
Set three decades after the 1997 original, the new storyline closely mirrors its predecessor. A group of young friends makes a tragic mistake resulting in a fatal accident. They attempt to hide the truth, only to be haunted a year later when one of them receives a chilling message: “I know what you did last summer.” One by one, the group is targeted by a mysterious killer in a fisherman’s slicker, armed with a deadly metal hook.
New cast members include Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyriq Withers, Sarah Pidgeon, and Gabbriette Bechtel, who portray the next generation of victims in this continuation of the Southport massacre lore. Despite some fan service through returning characters, early critical response has been unfavorable.
As of now, Rotten Tomatoes shows a critics’ score of 33%, with many reviewers citing the film’s lack of originality and scare factor. The audience score sits at a more forgiving 68%, but it still isn’t strong enough to suggest long-term success. The film could become yet another example of horror fatigue, a growing issue in 2025 as audiences become more selective amid a flood of formulaic thrillers.
Smurfs Reboot Fails to Impress Despite Rihanna’s Voice Debut
Smurfs, the animated family film acquired by Paramount from Sony, officially opened in theaters on Friday without holding any Thursday night previews. Directed by Chris Miller (The Lego Movie, Puss in Boots), the reboot attempts to breathe new life into a franchise that hasn’t released a theatrical installment in eight years.
One of the biggest draws of the film is the casting of Rihanna in her first-ever animated voice role, playing Smurfette. The all-star voice cast also features Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Maya Erskine, John Goodman, Kurt Russell, and Jimmy Kimmel.
The storyline takes the Smurfs far from their enchanted village as Smurfette leads a high-stakes rescue mission to save their leader, Papa Smurf. Their journey spans real-world locations like Paris, Munich, and the Australian Outback, where they encounter a new group of colorful, bird-like creatures called the Snooterpoots, led by a character voiced by Lyonne. The film includes multiple musical numbers, dance sequences, and attempts to balance humor and heart for both kids and parents.
Despite the ambitious production and celebrity appeal, Smurfs has failed to win over critics. As of now, it holds a Rotten Tomatoes critic rating of just 20%, with reviewers pointing to a weak plot and an over-reliance on slapstick humor. The film currently has no audience rating, but early buzz suggests lukewarm reception.
DC’s Superman Set to Overtake Marvel’s 2025 Releases
With over $300 million already in the bank, Superman is now positioned to surpass the total earnings of Marvel’s Thunderbolts, which reached a modest $383 million worldwide, and even Captain America: Brave New World, which only managed $415 million globally. Both Marvel films underperformed compared to previous franchise entries, fueling discussions around superhero fatigue and market oversaturation.
Now, the spotlight turns to Fantastic Four: First Steps, scheduled for release on July 25, which aims to rejuvenate Marvel’s cinematic momentum. However, with Superman still fresh in theaters and continuing to pull in solid numbers, the DC film has a good chance of outpacing these rivals — both in ticket sales and critical acclaim.
Superman Proves Superhero Genre Isn’t Dead Yet
As the second weekend begins, all eyes remain on Superman. It has already overcome the odds stacked against the superhero genre in 2025, establishing itself as one of the few recent hits in a space crowded with fatigue and disappointment. While horror and animated family films like I Know What You Did Last Summer and Smurfs fail to generate significant box office heat, Superman has captured the imagination of global audiences with its blend of action, heart, and reinvention.
Whether it can continue this momentum and possibly cross the $500 million or even $700 million mark in the coming weeks remains to be seen. But for now, James Gunn’s Superman is flying high — and reminding Hollywood that, when done right, even familiar heroes can soar again.
