James Gunn’s Superman made a strong start, earning $122 million in its first weekend. It now holds the spot as the third-largest movie opening of 2025. Warner Bros’ Pictures
The new Superman movie, directed by James Gunn, had a massive debut weekend. It earned $122 million in the U.S., making it the third-best opening of 2025 so far. Among all superhero movies from the same studio, only Suicide Squad and Batman v Superman opened with higher numbers. However, fans hope this one will keep growing instead of dropping fast like those earlier films.
A Fresh Chapter for the Hero
This version of Superman stars David Corenswet and marks a new beginning for the character. It comes after years of mixed results for Superman movies. While some did well at the start, they failed to make long-term impact. This fresh take gives fans something to look forward to, especially since the last Superman film, Man of Steel, also opened strong but didn’t cross $300 million at home.
How It Compares to the Past
To put things in perspective, the original Superman from 1978, when adjusted for inflation, would have opened with $36.8 million and made $663 million in total. The sequel Superman II would have started with $49.8 million and finished with over $382 million. Superman III and IV saw a decline in numbers. In 2006, Superman Returns would equal a $83.7 million opening today. Man of Steel in 2013 would look like a $160 million debut in today’s terms and ended with over $400 million domestically.
Budget and Expectations
The latest movie had a budget of $225 million, which matches the cost of Man of Steel. It has already collected $95 million from international markets, bringing its global total to $217 million after just one weekend. For comparison, Man of Steel made $97.9 million globally in its first few days. This shows that both films started off with nearly the same momentum, making the new one a promising entry in the superhero world.
What’s Next at the Box Office
The new Superman is expected to stay at number one for another week before Fantastic Four arrives on July 25. Until then, it has little competition and could continue drawing large crowds. With steady ticket sales, it might keep performing well through Labor Day weekend.
However, another movie, Lilo & Stitch, is gaining popularity and could become the biggest summer hit. But for now, Superman is off to a strong and confident start, giving fans and filmmakers hope for a successful future.
