Ted Sarandos said under oath that James Gunn’s 2025 film Superman underperformed relative to expectations. The Netflix co-CEO was testifying before a U.S. Senate committee in an antitrust hearing to discuss the implications of Netflix’s $83 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros. Sarandos was expected to attempt to ease skepticism about the business’s future and give insight into his company’s strategy.
Ted Sarandos just testified under oath at the US Senate hearing on the Warner Bros/Netflix deal that #Superman 2025 underperformed, and that’s why its theatrical run was cut short, as opposed to an overperforming movie like Sinners.
As official as it can get, folks. 💫 pic.twitter.com/FTdIUtjnUp
— •The Last PhotoMax• (@SupesBatsy) February 3, 2026
His use of Superman as an example of a movie that fell short came as a surprise.
The Testimony
Superman came into the conversation when Sen. Corey Booker asked about Netflix’s intention for theatrical releases. Booker asked Sarandos if upcoming films would have an exclusive, 45-day theatrical window. Sarandos confirmed that films released in theaters would be “fully exclusive to theaters.” Booker then asked if that agreement between the studio and theater owners would be self-enforced.
Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos – YouTube, WSJ News
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“That is the industry standard,” Sarandos said. “However,” he added, “routinely, [for] movies that underperform the window moves a little bit.” He proceeded to give the senator specific examples, noting that “Superman was a little shorter window, Sinners was a little longer window.”
Sarandos may have made Superman’s box office struggles explicit.
The Numbers
Sinners exceeded early box office projections with a $48 million domestic opening. It’s gone on to make over $368 million worldwide. The film’s record-breaking 16 Oscar nominations have solidified Ryan Coogler’s vampire horror film as both a financial and critical success, which extended its time in theaters well beyond the 45-day window.
In comparison, the performance of Superman has been more difficult to assess. Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav initially celebrated the film’s $125 million domestic opening weekend, even as Gunn downplayed the need for Superman to be a financial success. It ended its theatrical run on October 2, 2025, with $615,784,465 in worldwide ticket sales.
Superman grimacing by a Stagg Industries sign in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
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When Superman arrived on VOD on August 13, 2025, exactly 35 days after its theatrical debut, Gunn—who served both as director and as DC Studios co-CEO—explained that the decision was made because of the HBO Max tie-in show Peacemaker.
He claimed that due to “uncontrollable factors” the show was releasing earlier than he expected. “Ultimately, my goal was to make sure anyone who wants to watch Superman can do so—even if they couldn’t make it to theaters—before diving into Peacemaker.”
James Gunn sits for an interview – YouTube, GQ
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Many at the time expressed doubt that Gunn’s reasoning was strictly accurate. When Forbes reported in October that taking into account production and marketing costs, Superman had likely lost the studio $42 million, a new picture began to take shape. But it wasn’t an issue that Warner Bros. or Gunn would admit, and instead was something they attempted to explain away.
By using Superman as a recent and relevant example of a film that underperformed, Sarandos seems to have said the quiet part out loud.
The Future
Why Superman underperformed at the box office remains a matter of debate. But the fact that it did has now been stated under oath. Sarandos presented a working knowledge of theatrical release windows, and his promise to follow the traditional 45-day model may be encouraging.
Superman and Lois Lane kiss while flying in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
However, Sarandos openly admitting a fact that James Gunn seemingly attempted to conceal could create tension. Gunn has said that his role at DC Studios isn’t “sustainable long-term.” As the Netflix deal with Warner Bros. moves closer to approval, it remains to be seen what more information will be revealed, and how those revelations might change operations going forward.
What do you think of Sarandos’ statement on Superman? Are you surprised? Let us know in the comments!
