James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Eyes Record-Breaking Box Office Global Opening

James Gunn’s take on Superman has arrived at last, and it’s not just another comic book film. This time, it signifies the start of an entirely new chapter for DC Studios, under the leadership of Gunn and producer Peter Safran. Their reimagined universe, known as DCU, makes its debut with Superman soaring onto movie screens worldwide this weekend. It’s a significant milestone, and there’s a lot at stake.

The fact that Gunn not just directed but also penned and produced this movie makes it all the more intimate, as it truly embodies his unique take on Superman and sets the mood for future stories within the DC Universe.

Following years of grittier Superman films directed by Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan, this portrayal appears brighter, friendlier, and closer to the essence of the initial character.

Following an impressive debut at Hollywood on Monday evening, prospects appear promising for this movie. Currently, it boasts an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is labeled as “fresh”. This places it above Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, which scored 57%, and Batman v. Superman, which dipped to a mere 23%. Remarkably, it’s even outperforming Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns from 2006, which had a rating of 72%.

Based on Deadline’s report, anticipation for the movie is high, with a projected opening of around $200 million globally. This figure will be split across approximately 60,000 screens, with an equal number in both domestic (U.S. and Canada) and international markets. Industry experts suggest that the movie could potentially earn between $115 million and $130 million in North America over this weekend.

Pre-sales for the film have surpassed the $20 million mark, outperforming where Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 stood at this stage, but it’s important to note that Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is still ahead in terms of pre-sales.

The launch is happening quickly, starting in France, Italy, and South Korea on Wednesday, followed by Germany, Brazil, Mexico, and Australia on Thursday. The UK, Spain, China, and Japan will join in on Friday. In total, Superman will be released in 78 countries. Markets that are anticipated to perform well include the UK, Brazil, France, Mexico, Australia, and Germany. China has had a strong start with substantial presales for Thursday and Friday, but interest seems to dwindle towards the weekend.

Based on box office statistics, the enthusiasm for the movie Superman appears to be highest among men aged under 25 and over 25. It’s performing slightly better than Disney’s remake of Lilo & Stitch, outperforming Minecraft: The Movie, and not far behind the opening weekend of The Batman in 2022. This weekend, Superman is set to dominate premium formats such as Dolby and ScreenX, pushing out Jurassic World: Rebirth, which is currently in its second week.

This isn’t just another attempt to revive; Superman is a significant property for Warner Bros. The initial 1978 film featuring Christopher Reeve played a crucial role in shaping the superhero genre, earning over $300 million globally. Its sequel, Superman II, was also successful. However, things began to decline with Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, both of which were panned by critics and underperformed financially.

In 2006, Bryan Singer attempted to reintroduce the character in “Superman Returns,” a film that honored its predecessors, yet didn’t gain significant popularity. Despite earning a global box office revenue of $391 million, the high production costs made it a letdown.

In 2013, Zack Snyder’s film, titled Man of Steel, hit the screens, featuring Henry Cavill as Superman. This revitalized the character, raking in $116 million on its opening weekend and ultimately grossing a staggering $670 million worldwide. However, subsequent movies like Batman v. Superman and Justice League, with their grittier approach, didn’t resonate with all audiences. Despite Batman v. Superman holding the record for the biggest domestic opening for a Superman film at $166 million, its mixed reviews and contentious style have left an impact on its overall standing.

Currently, James Gunn is venturing into uncharted territory. Initial responses indicate positivity. Critics are impressed, fans appear enthusiastic, and ticket sales projections are encouraging. If Superman lives up to expectations, this could mark the beginning of a significant phase for the fresh DC Universe.

Read More

2025-07-09 09:44