After a string of disappointing openings for DC movies, James Gunn‘s Superman is on track to shatter any record the DC Extended Universe might have had when it comes to domestic box office debuts.
The DCEU initially got off to a strong start at the box office, with the first two entries — the Zack Snyder-helmed Man of Steel (2013) and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) — grossing $116 million and $166 million, respectively. This success led to $100 million-plus openings for Suicide Squad (2016) and Wonder Woman (2017). However, the DCEU train began to derail with the release of Justice League, which became the first movie in the franchise to open below $100 million. The DCEU never fully recovered, as subsequent entries opened lower and lower, with the final two installments opening with about $25 million each.
What are the Superman box office projections?
However, just as Superman is being marketed on the idea of hope, there is a renewed sense of optimism among box office analysts for the first installment in the DC Universe. According to trusted insider Jeff Sneider on a recent episode of The Hot Mic podcast (via ComicBookMovie), he has heard that Superman is tracking towards a massive $175 million opening in North America. If Superman does end up opening beyond $166 million domestically, it would mark the best opening ever for a movie based on a DC Comics character.
Anticipation is high for Superman, which was written and directed by Gunn. David Corenswet leads the first DCU movie as Clark Kent/Superman, with Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult co-starring as Lois Lane and Lex Luthor, respectively.
“In his signature style, James Gunn takes on the original superhero in the newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor, and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind,” reads a logline for Superman.
Superman is scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.
