RUMOR: SUPERMAN Ticket Pre-Sales Have Slowed As A $100 Million Opening (Or Less) Looks Increasingly Likely

RUMOR: SUPERMAN Ticket Pre-Sales Have Slowed As A $100 Million Opening (Or Less) Looks Increasingly Likely

While some estimates for Superman's opening weekend have pointed to it opening with as much as $200 million, it appears not even the Man of Steel will be able to shrug off apparent superhero fatigue...

By JoshWilding - Jul 02, 2025 02:07 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman

Superman director James Gunn and his cast are currently touring the world to promote the first DC Studios movie, but will it pay off when the reboot opens in North America next weekend? 

Tracking has been all over the place for this one, though the trades recently reported that $125 million - $145 million was looking likely (which was a dip from very early estimates of $185 million - $200 million). At the time, many of those outlets also suggested Superman could debut on the lower end, with as little as $90 million. 

With a rumoured budget of $225 million, not including marketing, that would be a disastrous start for the DCU. Gunn has said he'd be fine with breaking even, but a blockbuster that barely turns a profit is hardly a win for a brand already running on fumes. 

Talking on The Hot Mic podcast, Jeff Sneider revealed, "I'm hearing the Superman pre-sales are slowing down a little bit. I have some sources saying this is looking at a $100 million opening, if that. I have been bullish on this, saying this movie is going to do $160 million - $175 million. I think that what's becoming more realistic is $120 million - $140 million."

Explaining why tracking for any movie is notoriously unreliable, the insider used the example of M3GAN 2.0, which flopped this past weekend. "Tracking is nonsense...M3GAN 2.0 was looking at a $45 million opening...it opened at $10 million," he said. "Tracking is the biggest scam in Hollywood."

Warner Bros. Discovery has gone all out on Superman's marketing campaign, giving it the Barbie treatment (at the moment, it's near-impossible not to turn your head and find the Man of Steel somewhere). If these numbers are accurate, it's not paying off. 

Superhero fatigue does appear real with non-fans, and Superman isn't a draw on the same level as fellow icons Batman and Spider-Man. The movie is also lacking an A-List star, though the same could be said for many comic book franchises at launch.

Perhaps we should have expected a little controversy on the press tour, as comments from Gunn during an interview with Reel Rejects have upset many fans on social media. The filmmaker was asked how he deals with his online detractors—it's hard to think of another director/studio head who spends anywhere near as much time online—and may have chosen his words poorly while responding.

"I do tune out most of social media, but every once in a while someone will say something, it's always the weirdest stuff...and then I go, 'I think I might be getting upset about something a 12-year-old in India is saying.' You know what I mean? And I'm like, 'Let it go'"

While Gunn surely didn't mean to offend with these remarks, some have questioned the necessity of using India as an example. Others are simply annoyed that their complaints about the way he's handled the DCU have been so casually dismissed. 

Again, this one isn't worth reading too much into, but it does go to show that anything said on these press tours is dissected, and not always in a positive light!

Do you have your tickets for Superman yet?

Superman, DC Studios' first feature film to hit the big screen, is set to soar into theaters worldwide this summer from Warner Bros. Pictures.

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.  

The movie stars David Corenswet in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

Also appearing are Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, María Gabriela de Faría, Wendell Pierce, Alan Tudyk, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Neva Howell, and Milly Alcock.

Superman arrives in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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Mrnorth1921
Mrnorth1921 - 7/2/2025, 2:57 PM
Superman will be fine. It will make a good amount of money. Again, this is the third most watched trailer all time. It will make at least 100+ mill opening weekend.
Canyoublush
Canyoublush - 7/2/2025, 3:22 PM
@Mrnorth1921 - Snakes on a plane was also the most viewed movie on the internet in terms of searches in 2006 breaking records but it was a box office disaster and a terrible movie. Superman won’t make a billion nor will it have any high success. Most viewed trailer is one thing, becoming a box office smash is different. It’s not guaranteed. Plus international gross as well as critics reviews will play a huge part in the movie’s success.
Mrnorth1921
Mrnorth1921 - 7/2/2025, 3:37 PM
@Canyoublush - but that was a horrible movie. Superman is recognizable property. Gunn has a great track record. And those movies that had high trailer views all made over a billion dollars. Deadpool/Wolverine, Avengers IW/EG and No Way Home. Recent history would argue against that.
mck13
mck13 - 7/2/2025, 3:43 PM
@Mrnorth1921 - gunn movies OKAY.. not GREAT!!! Just rewatch GOTG ALL OF EM!!! The 1st is the BEST the 2nd one is the WORST & thew 3rd isnt much better. The Suicide Squad isnt a movie Id watch twice!! Superman will open to 75 Million & will DROP DRASTICALLY the 2nd WEEK!!!
Mrnorth1921
Mrnorth1921 - 7/2/2025, 3:45 PM
@mck13 - okay man. The general audience would argue otherwise haha. It won’t get second place. Haha.
Zeeboy
Zeeboy - 7/2/2025, 4:12 PM
@Canyoublush - But can you try to qualify your opinion with any substantive reasoning? It's not guaranteed, no, but all of James Gunn's superhero films having performed well + the most viewed trailer + family friendly appeal + a recognisable ip + summer blockbuster window all point to this being a success.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 7/2/2025, 4:12 PM
@Mrnorth1921 - they're inflating these estimates to make it seem like 100-125 million isn't a homerun when it absolutely is. The walkups and WOM are more than likely possible. Just like Sinners, they're trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill
bobevanz
bobevanz - 7/2/2025, 4:13 PM
@mck13 - 75 million? Wtf are you smoking
TheNewYorkerr
TheNewYorkerr - 7/2/2025, 5:21 PM
@mck13 - Not a single lie was told in that comment.
mck13
mck13 - 7/2/2025, 7:59 PM
@bobevanz - this movie cost350 million to make plus marketing & promo...almost aBILLION. IT WILL FAIL!!
Canyoublush
Canyoublush - 7/2/2025, 8:54 PM
@Zeeboy - I don’t need to substantiate my opinion you’ll soon find out the hard way. This is the end of Superman. Fanboys like you can’t see it due to the emotional attachment you have to superman but you’ll realise in due course. In life everything ends, everything dies. The world is changing and superman as a franchise has no place in it. It is what it is.
Geochili
Geochili - 7/3/2025, 12:35 AM
@bobevanz - Whatever he's smoking makes him !!!EXTREMELY!!!! agitated in every comment. And/or he needs to switch to decaf. Dude's going to have an aneurysm.
Gabimaru
Gabimaru - 7/3/2025, 2:25 AM
@Mrnorth1921 - Superman will do better than fantastic four i can feel it.
Biggums
Biggums - 7/3/2025, 2:28 AM
@Mrnorth1921 - the flash made a good amount too.
Lisa89
Lisa89 - 7/2/2025, 2:59 PM
I'm getting the feeling that tonally this is going to make 'Superman III' feel like 'Man Of Steel'.
Matador
Matador - 7/2/2025, 3:04 PM
@Lisa89 - Oooofff Superman III was awful but did have some interesting moments minus shoe horned Richard Prior role.
Lisa89
Lisa89 - 7/2/2025, 3:06 PM
@Matador - Exactly. I feel like Krypto will be this movie's Richard Pryor.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 7/2/2025, 3:09 PM
@Lisa89 - Its gonna make House Party feel like House Party 2!
Matador
Matador - 7/2/2025, 3:18 PM
@Lisa89 - I don't know about that but it's somewhat of a gimmick to bring kiddos and dog lovers in; I just never liked Richard Prior's role in the movie nor was he needed.

The story for Superman 3 was rewritten just to add star power and FUBARed the whole movie. Krypto was written prior as an inclusion to all the chracters setting the stage. If you liked Superman Animated show from the 90's it should feel similar. While my only dislike about Krypto is his not a Labrador like in the comics but hey nor was he in Smallville but a Golden Retriver.
GarthRanzz
GarthRanzz - 7/2/2025, 3:23 PM
@Matador - Superman 3 had some good stuff like the factory fire and the Clark versus Superman fight. I also don't mind his fight against Fake Brainiac at the end. Superman 4 on the other hand...I like the date scene. Thats it.
Lisa89
Lisa89 - 7/2/2025, 3:24 PM
@Matador - Fingers crossed.

?si=fx1ig3sJK8Sgv5XL
FrankenDad
FrankenDad - 7/2/2025, 4:10 PM
@CorndogBurglar - I got your reference, buddy.

“Or House Party THREE!”
“Shut the fukc up!”
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 7/2/2025, 4:14 PM
@FrankenDad - Thank God someone did!
Matador
Matador - 7/2/2025, 6:15 PM
@GarthRanzz - Those are the great reason why I liked it they could have done so much more with that! His clone could have turned into Bizzaro and brought Brainiac into Reeves movies but we got Nuclear Man. ughhhh.
Matador
Matador - 7/2/2025, 6:18 PM
@Lisa89 - LOL

Dogs are no joke even if they seem cute at times; like my beagle made a mistake of closing door and leaving her in master bedroom. Well she murdered that door and part of a wall did not like being behind close doors.
TheJok3r
TheJok3r - 7/2/2025, 2:59 PM
That's not bad considering the last six DC movies were critical and financial failures. There's also the fact that Superman as an IP has been completely neglected by WB for the past decade. We also can't forget that this is yet again a new version of the character that's being introduced for the first time. Opening with over $100 million with all these drawbacks to deal with is not bad at all.
GarthRanzz
GarthRanzz - 7/2/2025, 3:20 PM
@TheJok3r - Not sure how Superman has been neglected as an IP. Superpets, Superman and Lois, My Adventures With Superman, and I won't count the Snydercut and Black Adam even though Superman was the best parts of both.
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 7/2/2025, 2:59 PM
Indeed, Superman will be fine.

This like every single negative bullshit flying about is complete load of [frick]ing bollocks.

For [frick]s sake
Mrnorth1921
Mrnorth1921 - 7/2/2025, 3:03 PM
@THEKENDOMAN - exactly. I see estimates ranging from 90-180 mill. And others have been 125-145 mill. If the movie is good it’s gonna get 175-180. Maybe more.
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 7/2/2025, 3:45 PM
@Mrnorth1921 - We are [frick]ing good brutha.

I am not [frick]ing worried 👊🏿
Nolanite
Nolanite - 7/2/2025, 6:40 PM
@THEKENDOMAN -

Don't listen to these idiots. They don't know what TF they are talking about.

All these Marvelites are just trying to stir up the pot.

I just finished watching Jurassic World and people were booing The Fantastic Flops trailer 😂

BTW Jurassic World Rebirth didn't need to happen.

Nolanite out
Latverian
Latverian - 7/2/2025, 8:08 PM
@Nolanite -

"I just finished watching Jurassic World and people were booing The Fantastic Flops trailer"

User Comment Image
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 7/2/2025, 9:11 PM
@Nolanite - No shit.

JW was that bad?

They have [frick]ing rinsed that franchise, what more do you [frick]ing want. Its just ridiculous
Geochili
Geochili - 7/3/2025, 1:09 AM
@Latverian - lol. Exactly. That guy has a deep visceral hatred of marvel so deep it makes me think his mommy ran off with a marvel comics salesman when he was a kid. I started coming here because I want to know about and enjoy all cbms. Some of his comments were a real eye-opener to the tribalism in the comicbook world. I guess I should have expected it...human nature being what it is. But he's next level.
Latverian
Latverian - 7/3/2025, 5:13 AM
@Geochili -

Respectfully disagree.

You're right that he's clearly obsessed with Marvel, but I don't believe "hate" is the righ word to use here.

People online throw this word around with the same ease as "epic" or "awesome", without truly understanding the weight of those terms. "Hate" is treated the same way. I honestly do not think he even understands Marvel enough to hate them as a brand, be it on page or on screen.

Jealousy? Spite? Envy? Absolutely. Those are childish sentiments that immature characters often relate to and vibe, with.

Hatred, though? TLDR, @Nolanite is not intelligent enough to even begin to comprehend hating as a concept, let alone experience it himself.
HulkisHoly
HulkisHoly - 7/2/2025, 3:00 PM
Got my tickets 🎟️
Mrnorth1921
Mrnorth1921 - 7/2/2025, 3:03 PM
@HulkisHoly - same.
Matador
Matador - 7/2/2025, 3:07 PM
@HulkisHoly - I'll probably go on the third week, the first week it's always chaotic.
HulkisHoly
HulkisHoly - 7/2/2025, 5:18 PM
@Matador -

True but I just don’t want to have to abandon the internet for 2 weeks just to not get spoiled if I waited.
Matador
Matador - 7/2/2025, 6:19 PM
@HulkisHoly - Josh can do that; 20 reasons why posts.
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