Superman held on at the box office with a respectable second weekend drop, but there’s still a long way to go for DC’s big comeback.
In a summer season hungry for superhero spectacles, James Gunn’s Superman has proven its mettle, dominating the box office for a second consecutive weekend and crossing the $400 million milestone worldwide. The DC Studios reboot, starring David Corenswet as Superman, earned an estimated $57.25 million domestically in its sophomore frame—a respectable 54% box office drop from its $125 million opening—pushing its North American total to $235 million.
Superman fighting an unknown enemy in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
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Internationally, the film added $45.2 million across 78 markets, bringing the global cumulative to $406.8 million as of Sunday estimates. This performance not only solidifies Superman as a bright spot in the 2025 box office landscape but also highlights the enduring appeal of the character, even amid a crowded superhero genre. However, stiff competition is coming up on the horizon from Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which opens this weekend.
A Strong Domestic Hold Amid Genre Comparisons
The film’s second-weekend box office drop of 54% is notably milder than those of previous DC heavyweights, such as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (69% drop in 2016) and Man of Steel (65% in 2013). This shows positive audience reception and word-of-mouth.
Henry Cavill as Superman in Man of Steel – YouTube, Warner Bros.
With an 85% Rotten Tomatoes score and strong exit polls, Superman has boosted the overall summer box office by 15.9% compared to the same period in 2024, according to Comscore data. Warner Bros. executives are reportedly optimistic, viewing the film as a foundational pillar for the revamped DC Universe under Gunn’s creative stewardship.
Yet, the story isn’t without its kryptonite.
Superman beaten down in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
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International markets have shown softer enthusiasm, with the second weekend’s overseas haul dropping 44% (excluding China, where the film has faced outright rejection).
The $171.8 million international total represents only about 42% of the global gross—an atypically low share for a superhero tentpole, which often relies on overseas audiences for the bulk of earnings. Factors like regional competition and potential superhero fatigue may be at play, as the film’s global trajectory suggests it could stall below the unadjusted $670 million haul of 2013’s Man of Steel.
Topples Thunderbolts & Nearly Overtakes Captain America’s Marathon Run
The film’s rapid ascent is particularly striking when compared to recent Marvel counterparts.
Released on May 2, 2025, Thunderbolts—Marvel’s ensemble anti-hero flick—concluded its theatrical run at $382.1 million globally after an average of about five weeks per theater, hampered by underwhelming audience turnout.
The Thunderbolts in Marvels Thunderbolts* – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
Superman, in contrast, has already soared past that figure in a mere two weeks, highlighting DC’s stronger initial domestic draw and positioning it as a symbolic rebound for the studio.
Similarly, Captain America: Brave New World, which hit theaters on February 14, 2025, wrapped at $415.1 million worldwide after a more extended 14- to 15-week run across up to 4,105 screens, averaging around 6.5 weeks per theater.
Anthony Mackie behind the scenes of Marvel Studios‘ CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. Photo by Eli Adé. © 2024 MARVEL.
With Superman sitting at $406.8 million—just shy of that mark—final weekend actuals could see it overtake the MCU entry’s full earnings in record time, outpacing Brave New World’s estimated $250-300 million at the two-week point by a significant margin.
Challenges Ahead: Competition and Profitability Questions
Looking forward, Superman faces headwinds from upcoming releases, including Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps debuting this weekend on July 25th. Projections indicate a potential steeper drop in the third frame, which could cap the film’s global finish at $450-550 million. With a production budget of $225 million (excluding marketing), profitability remains uncertain—typically requiring $600 million or more to break even after theatrical splits and ancillary costs.
The cast of Fantastic Four: First Steps – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
Still, the film’s success extends beyond the ledger. As a reboot launching Gunn’s DC era, Superman may have reignited some fan interest, with merchandise sales and streaming potential poised to bolster its legacy. In a post-lockdown market where superhero films have faced scrutiny, this Kryptonian revival signals that hope—and high-flying action—can still draw the crowds Marvel has lost.
What do you think about Superman and its second weekend box office drop? Sound of in the comments and let us know!
So, dc has made ~200 million thus far. Likely to drop off further next weekend. Hey gunn, where’s the profit, bitch?
[…] Fonte: thatparkplace […]
Not as bad as I expected. I guess removing “and the American Way!” isn’t making the movie as friendly to the international audience as they thought.
Still, considering this movie is going to play better on most people’s home TVs than what you see in the theater (and for a damn sight less money) I’d have expected a steeper drop. But it is the summer and people go to the movies in summer.
With F4 coming up this weekend, I worry not only for Supes total but also that, despite themselves, Marvel may finally release something that is profitable. This can’t happen if they’re going to learn the lessons customers have been trying to teach them about DEI and pandering to grievance audiences.
54% of nothing is nothing.
“Nothing from nothing leaves nothing”
– Billy Preston
You don’t get owt for nowt. Northern English saying.