In a candid interview with Rolling Stone, James Gunn, the director behind the DC Universe reboot and the newly released Superman, has attributed the film’s softer-than-expected international performance to rising anti-American sentiment worldwide. The movie, which stars David Corenswet as the titular hero, has soared domestically but struggled to capture the same enthusiasm abroad, sparking debates about geopolitics, cultural icons, and Hollywood’s global appeal.
A Strong Domestic Launch Amid High Expectations
Superman hit theaters on July 11, 2025, marking the official kickoff of Gunn and Peter Safran’s revamped DC Studios slate. With a reported production budget of around $225 million (excluding marketing), the film opened to a robust $125 million in North America—securing the seventh-largest DC opening weekend ever, unadjusted for inflation.
James Gunn sits for an interview – YouTube, GQ
By its second weekend, it added an estimated $57 million domestically, bringing its North American cumulative to $235 million after just 10 days. Analysts project it could reach $300-350 million in the U.S. and Canada alone, buoyed by strong word-of-mouth, an A- CinemaScore, and an 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
International Struggles: Geopolitics or Something Else?
Globally, the picture is less super. Superman has grossed $171 million internationally so far, for a worldwide total of $406 million. Its second-weekend international haul was an estimated $45 million, excluding China where performance has been particularly weak.
Superman and Krypto in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
Projections suggest a final international tally of $200-250 million, potentially pushing the global total to $500-600 million—enough to crown it the top superhero film of 2025 (so far) but short of blockbusters like The Batman which grossed $772 million in 2022.
In his Rolling Stone sit-down, Gunn didn’t mince words.
“We’re definitely performing better domestically than we are internationally,” he admitted. “Superman is not a known commodity in some places… And it also affects things that we have a certain amount of anti-American sentiment around the world right now. It isn’t really helping us.”
Lex Luthor in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
Analysts from Variety and The Hollywood Reporter echo Gunn’s sentiments, noting that global views of America may be influencing ticket sales. However, some critics argue other factors are at play. This includes Superman’s lesser recognition compared to Batman in certain regions, competition from local films, and lingering “superhero fatigue” brought on by a slew of lackluster Marvel and DC releases over the last few years.
The “Woke” Backlash: Fueling or Fabricating the Divide
Pre-release controversy swirled around Gunn’s emphasis on Superman’s immigrant roots. Conservative outlets like Fox News dubbed it “SuperWoke,” with former Superman actor Dean Cain warning that the “immigrant” focus could alienate audiences:
“How woke is Hollywood going to make this character?” the former Superman asked.
Dean Cain as Superman – YouTube, Dean Cain Gallery
Gunn’s brother, Sean Gunn (who plays Maxwell Lord in the new DC Universe), fired back to a loaded question from Variety’s Marc Malkin, doing a lot more harm than good.
“Yes, Superman is an immigrant, and yes, the people that we support in this country are immigrants and if you don’t like that, you’re not American,” he said at the film’s premiere.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 27: (L-R) Sean Gunn and James Gunn attend the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 World Premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on April 27, 2023. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Disney)
Gunn pushed back in Entertainment Weekly, saying, “I am curious as to what in the movie is considered woke… That’s the center of the movie for me.”
Gunn also said he views the film’s reception as a “total win,” calling it “the seed of the tree” for the DCU’s future.
Is Anti-American Sentiment to Blame?
Despite the international hiccups, Superman could be on track to turn a profit if it holds well against Marvel’s upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps. It could revitalize DC after flops like The Flash which grossed $271 million worldwide.
Superman fighting an unknown enemy in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
Despite Gunn’s suggestion that anti-American sentiment is driving Superman’s weaker international numbers, that theory doesn’t entirely hold water. Just look at Top Gun: Maverick. Few films in recent memory have been more overtly American—fighter jets, military heroism, a heroic pilot named Maverick defying the odds for the red, white, and blue. And yet, it soared to nearly $782 million internationally, contributing to a $1.5 billion global haul.
If global audiences were truly rejecting American iconography, Top Gun: Maverick should have crashed and burned overseas. Instead, it proved that when a film delivers sincere storytelling, grounded characters, and thrilling action without the baggage of studio cynicism, audiences around the world will still show up—American flag and all.
Superman wounded in the snow in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
Whether this signals a shift in global tastes or just a bump in the road, Gunn remains optimistic. “This is just the beginning,” he told Rolling Stone. For fans, the real superpower might be the film’s ability to spark these conversations—proving Superman’s enduring relevance, even if his box office cape is a bit tattered overseas.
Do you think Superman is facing issues because of anti-American sentiment overseas? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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