Director James Gunn celebrates Superman’s overwhelmingly positive reception as the DCU’s first movie heads to the top of 2025’s box office. Gunn’s Superman opened with $122 million domestically and $95 million internationally, for a domestic total of $217 million. With Superman’s budget reportedly surrounding $225 million, its opening weekend numbers signal a successful theatrical run. On Threads, James Gunn sends a message of gratitude to fans for their positive reaction to Superman. Gunn notes that Superman focuses on “the ‘man’ part of the equation,’ which is key to the movie’s impact on audiences. Gunn highlights that Superman’s positive reception is “a hopeful testament to the kindness and quality of human beings.” Read James Gunn’s full post below:
“I’m incredibly grateful for your enthusiasm and kind words over the past few days. We’ve had a lot of “Super” in Superman over the years, and I’m happy to have made a movie that focuses on the “man” part of the equation – a kind person always looking out for those in need. That that resonates so powerfully with so many people across the world is in itself a hopeful testament to the kindness and quality of human beings. Thank you. ❤️”

Superman Is An Undeniable Success

Superman’s strong domestic opening is a significant milestone considering the character hasn’t matched the box office dominance of characters like Batman or Marvel’s Avengers. In the DCEU, even Superman’s central role and Henry Cavill’s popularity couldn’t stop the franchise’s gradual financial and critical decline. The DCU’s Superman has now reversed that trend, and David Corenswet’s Superman promises to become a new cornerstone for DC on the big screen.

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Superman’s impressive opening is remarkable given the superhero genre’s recent struggles at the box office, with several Marvel and DC entries underperforming in the past few years. Superman’s strong box office numbers and positive reviews suggest that audiences still long for solid comic book adaptations, so long as they offer a fresh vision. Apart from honoring the character’s roots and staying true to his traditional personality, James Gunn’s focus on Superman’s humanity appears to have struck a chord with fans and general audiences alike.
The DCU’s Future Looks Bright After Superman

Superman’s success is a critical first step for the entire DCU slate. If Superman works, then future tentpoles like The Brave and the Bold and the upcoming Wonder Woman reboot are more likely to draw large audiences. For decades, Superman films have struggled to maintain long-term momentum, but James Gunn’s DCU offers the chance for Superman’s sequels to finally reach consistent quality and acclaim. Team-ups, crossovers, and a solo trilogy are almost guaranteed if Superman’s positive reactions continue.

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Superman’s strong start increases the chances of success for riskier DCU projects that don’t have built-in mainstream familiarity. Upcoming DCU projects like Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and The Authority will require faith in the DCU’s creative direction to succeed, and Superman’s positive reception helps build the necessary goodwill. After Superman, audiences are more likely to embrace deeper cuts from DC lore. Source: James Gunn / Threads

Superman

9/10

Release Date

July 11, 2025

Runtime

130 Minutes

Producers

Lars P. Winther, Peter Safran