How James Gunn’s Superman is Rewriting the Box Office Story
The Man of Steel is back, and this time, he’s flying higher than anyone expected. James Gunn’s 2025 reboot of Superman is not only holding strong at the box office but also drawing comparisons to past DC and Marvel heavyweights. With clear skies in its second weekend, the numbers suggest this Superman may have the strongest legs yet.
Want to know what makes this reboot different from the rest? Read our full review of James Gunn’s Superman here.
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A Heroic Second Weekend
Superman topped the box office for the second consecutive week, pulling in a strong $57.2 million domestically. That makes it the first film since How to Train Your Dragon to hold the number one spot two weeks in a row, and it’s doing so with a smaller-than-expected drop of 54 percent. For context, Man of Steel dropped a steeper 68 percent back in 2013.
With a ten-day total of $235 million in North America alone, the film is already $24 million ahead of Man of Steel’s pace. While the opening weekend of Gunn’s Superman was just shy of Snyder’s 2013 version, the stronger hold in week two suggests a more favorable trajectory.
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Global Performance and Comparisons
Internationally, Superman has collected a more modest $171.8 million, bringing its global total to over $406 million. While these figures don’t yet rival the highest-earning superhero films, they’re enough to make Superman one of the better-performing DC titles in recent years.
Compared to Thor: Love and Thunder, which earned $233.9 million domestically after ten days and finished with $343 million, Superman is right on track. Current projections estimate the film could finish its domestic run somewhere between $340 and $360 million, making it the second-highest grossing film in the now-retired DCEU, just behind Wonder Woman.
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A Win for Warner Bros. and DC
This marks the fifth consecutive box office number one for Warner Bros. in 2025. The film has benefited from strong word-of-mouth, solid critic scores, and the curiosity surrounding the new DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran. For Warner Bros., these numbers offer a much-needed sign of stability as they attempt to reboot their superhero brand from the ground up.
What’s working in Superman’s favor is not just the fanbase, but the narrative behind it: a clean slate, a new tone, and a modern take on the iconic hero. This is not just another reboot; it’s the start of DC’s Chapter One, and it’s showing commercial viability.
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The Bigger Picture
Despite its success, Superman still faces challenges. The international box office remains a bit soft, and competition from upcoming summer blockbusters could push it out of the spotlight. But if it manages to hold steady for another week or two, it may become one of DC’s strongest solo performances to date.
While it won’t beat global giants like Aquaman or The Batman, Superman’s current momentum places it comfortably ahead of several recent Marvel entries — a sign that audiences may be ready for a new era of DC storytelling.
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Final Verdict
James Gunn’s Superman isn’t just holding its ground — it’s building a legacy. With strong domestic numbers, a better second-week drop than its predecessors, and fan interest still growing, the film is proving that even after decades of adaptations, the Man of Steel still has what it takes to fly.
As DC repositions itself in the superhero landscape, Superman stands tall as a reminder that classic heroes never go out of style — they just need the right vision to soar again.
