Warner Bros. and DC Studios’ Superman has launched into theaters with an impressive $56.5 million opening day, setting the stage for a projected $115M-$121M weekend debut. That places it as the second summer film after Lilo & Stitch to open above $100 million. Despite early skepticism over its trailer, the film’s performance is defying expectations, outpacing other upcoming superhero entries like Thunderbolts and Captain America: Brave New World.
Comparing the Numbers
With a production cost of $225 million (excluding marketing), Superman is tracking closely to 2013’s Man of Steel, which opened at $116.6 million. The film also boasts the strongest preview numbers of 2025, raking in $22.5 million, beating last year’s Barbie ($22.3M) and 2022’s The Batman ($21.6M). Social media buzz is playing a role too, with a reach of nearly 954 million across platforms, surpassing The Batman and even Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Audience Response and Demographics
Early audience feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Superman earned an A- CinemaScore and 86% positive rating on Comscore’s PostTrak, with 74% of viewers saying they would definitely recommend it. The 18-24 demographic formed the largest share of the audience at 31%, and the male-to-female ratio was 68% to 32%. Ethnic breakdowns showed 26% Latino/Hispanic, 19% Black, 9% Asian American, and 41% Caucasian viewers. Impressively, 49% of ticket buyers made their purchase the same day, signaling strong walk-up interest.
Marketing That Worked
The marketing push for Superman paid off significantly. According to EntTelligence, 95.7 million moviegoers saw the in-theater trailer, boosted by heavy promotion during A Minecraft Movie. Influential drivers included social media (20%), in-theater trailers (15%), and online trailers (13%). A notable 49% of viewers said they watched it because it looked fun and entertaining, and 43% cited their love for superhero films.
Critical Praise and Cultural Buzz
With an 82% critic rating and a 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is receiving some of the best feedback ever for a Superman movie. Director James Gunn emphasized the film’s theme of “human kindness” over politics, brushing off criticism from political pundits. Despite right-wing backlash over Gunn calling Superman “an immigrant,” ticket sales show no signs of MAGA-driven boycotts affecting performance.
Weekend Outlook and Competition
This opening places Superman behind only Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 among Gunn’s domestic openings. AMC Burbank is currently the highest-grossing theater for the film, and PLF/IMAX formats account for 42% of revenue. Other box office contenders this weekend include Jurassic World Rebirth ($38.7M) and F1 ($12.8M), but none are expected to come close to Superman’s numbers.
ConclusionJames Gunn’s Superman has not only exceeded box office projections but also reignited interest in the DC brand. With strong audience sentiment, wide demographic appeal, and stellar word-of-mouth, the film’s opening weekend marks a significant win for Warner Bros. and DC Studios.
