Superman Box Office Finally Hits $600M: Will End Up Well Short Of The Batman, Man of Steel

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After 43 days since its release, the film “Superman” directed by James Gunn has now surpassed $600 million at the box office.

Although it may appear decent, its speed and overall score indicate that it doesn’t quite measure up to Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” or Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel”.

At least, Gunn’s DCU managed to outperform all three Marvel films at the box office this year.

Superman Box Office Numbers

As of Friday, Superman stands at:

  • Domestic (57.3%): $344,500,181
  • International (42.7%): $256,400,000
  • Worldwide: $600,900,181

In contrast to Gunn’s movie, which achieved its milestone after 43 days, The Batman by Reeves managed to earn $600 million in only 18 days, largely due to a more robust performance in international markets.

The Batman Box Office

The Batman ended with:

  • Domestic (47.8%): $369,345,583
  • International (52.2%): $402,900,000
  • Worldwide: $772,245,583

It appears that Reeves’ version of Superman is expected to earn approximately $170 million more than Gunn’s, demonstrating the strong connection it made with global audiences.

Did Early Digital Hurt Superman?

As a movie enthusiast, I was quite surprised when I learned that Superman managed to bring in just $955,000 on Friday compared to The Batman, which earned an impressive $1,301,112 during its 43rd day at the box office. Initially, it was speculated that the early digital release of Superman might have negatively impacted its ticket sales. However, upon further analysis, it’s worth noting that The Batman only added an additional $7M to its total after 43 days, which suggests that the impact on Superman’s box office performance may not be as substantial as initially thought.

Man of Steel Comparison

In simpler terms, Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel” continues to earn more than James Gunn’s “Superman” globally, even when you remove the effects of inflation.

  • Domestic (43.4%): $291,045,518
  • International (56.6%): $379,100,000
  • Worldwide: $670,145,518

It’s evident that foreign viewers generally preferred Snyder’s interpretation, whereas Gunn’s version has faced difficulties gaining popularity beyond the United States. This is an issue that Gunn must address moving forward.

Where Does Superman Go From Here?

If Superman manages to earn an additional $7 million or so, it might end up totaling over $608 million globally, however, considering the slowdown in international markets, this forecast appears quite hopeful.

The significant drop in audience interest for Gunn’s movie, compared to both “The Batman” and “Man of Steel,” raises important questions about the future of the DCU. This disparity could potentially affect viewership for upcoming projects like “Supergirl” and Jason Momoa’s “Lobo.

Currently, Gunn is working on a new film alongside David Corenswet. He clarified that this isn’t a direct sequel to the movie “Superman,” but rather a component of his larger four-film Superman series.

Peacemaker Season 2 also premiered on Thursday. Read my review here.

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2025-08-24 03:01