SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Hits Back At Claims The Movie Needs To Make $650M To Be Considered A Success

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Hits Back At Claims The Movie Needs To Make $650M To Be Considered A Success

Superman director and DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has responded to claims that the first DCU movie needs to make $650 million at the worldwide box office to break even and be considered a success...

By JoshWilding - Aug 10, 2025 11:08 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman

As of now, Superman has grossed $569 million at the worldwide box office. Updated international figures (which we're hoping will land either today or tomorrow) should see the first DC Studios movie soar beyond $600 million, but its momentum is slowing.

With a Digital release set for August 26, Superman will almost certainly end its run beneath 2013's Man of Steel ($670 million), a solid result for a brand that was nearly damaged beyond repair by flops like Black Adam, The Flash, and Joker: Folie à Deux

The trades have reported that Superman had a $225 million production budget before a $125 million marketing spend, adding weight to reports from last year which suggested it cost upwards of $330 million in total. If those figures are correct, Superman will, at best, turn a meagre profit, and at worst, barely break even. 

When filmmaker James Gunn was asked on Threads about Superman needing to make $650 million to be deemed a success, he replied, "Absolutely false. Anyone saying that doesn't have an understanding of the film business - and we would be idiots to make a first-in-a-franchise film that would need to make that much to be profitable."

$500 million was previously thrown out as a number that would make Warner Bros. Discovery executives happy, so there's a chance Superman has netted a small profit for DC Studios. Still, even after outperforming all of this year's MCU titles, the DCU reboot is by no means a mega-hit.

That may not matter in the long run. After the past few years, a well-reviewed, well-received DC movie has done a huge amount to help the brand, and the fact that it hasn't flopped is a massive win in and of itself. All eyes will now be on Supergirl and Clayface to see how they perform, though it's unclear what DC Studios' next big budget blockbuster will be.

You can see Gunn's response in full below. 

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.  

"Superman is an indescribable joy," we said in our review"A beautiful, moving thrill, David Corenswet is the perfect Man of Steel in a movie packed full of ideas. Fortunately, under James Gunn’s expert direction, all of those work, creating a rousing experience that flies higher than DC has in a very long time."

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 is now playing in theaters.

SUPERMAN Reportedly Set To Take Flight On Digital On August 26
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SUPERMAN Reportedly Set To Take Flight On Digital On August 26

SUPERMAN Becomes Man Of Steel's Highest-Grossing Movie In The U.S.; James Gunn Shares New Look At Supergirl
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SUPERMAN Becomes Man Of Steel's Highest-Grossing Movie In The U.S.; James Gunn Shares New Look At Supergirl

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harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 8/10/2025, 11:07 AM
JFerguson
JFerguson - 8/10/2025, 11:22 AM
@harryba11zack - fascinating. Idiotic use of AI. But fascinating
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 8/10/2025, 11:37 AM
@harryba11zack - lol ...It Is really a bomb
dragon316
dragon316 - 8/10/2025, 12:32 PM
@JFerguson - ai makes stuff look cartoony you older in video games cgi movies
Wahhvacado
Wahhvacado - 8/10/2025, 11:09 AM
I do feel like this movie had a higher marketing budget than most. On the other hand, while the cast is amazing it isn't riddled with multiple actors needing top tier pay
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 8/10/2025, 11:54 AM
@Wahhvacado - It was $125M according to the trades.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 8/10/2025, 12:37 PM
@Wahhvacado - I know a lot find figures, real or theoretical, how a film cost more than reported budget and that may be true but as Gunn said that ignores a lot of how the industry works. As in they get grants, tax rebates, licensing deals, free money from investors who do so out of love of film AND as a tax write off thus not wanting or expecting much if anything back etc. Most also ignore all the other ways films make money AFTER the theatrical release run on well recieved movies.

There are many ways we can run the numbers but without full insight into all the fiscal tricks big studios use it remains best to stay simple as in the movie needs to make what the studio states it is happy with and/or 2.5 times officialy reported budget
DocSpock
DocSpock - 8/10/2025, 11:10 AM

The movie is good. But is it a financial success? Not really. If it makes a little money, that is far below their initial hopes.

No one said let's spend a ton of money and hope we break even. This movie is not a financial success.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 8/10/2025, 11:16 AM
@DocSpock - it is a success though. You don't know Their "hopes" so stop assuming shit. It'll still be the highest grossing CBM of the year AND it's the first time DC beat Marvel in over a [frick]ing decade
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/10/2025, 11:22 AM
@DocSpock - while true, we don’t know how much this movie has made through licensing agreements. Sometimes movies like these make money before it’s even released and those numbers are rarely revealed.
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/10/2025, 11:24 AM
@bobevanz - to be fair, that’s domestic numbers and the bar for comic book movies this year isn’t high but people’s viewings have def changed. It still kills me that a movie like Minecraft made more. I tried watching that movie but couldn’t get through it.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 8/10/2025, 11:24 AM
@bobevanz -

I am glad the movie is good, but assuming that their goal or hopes were to barely make a few peanuts is ridiculous.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 8/10/2025, 12:00 PM
@epc1122 - Those licensing checks are an investment in the film's success. If the movie fails and/or the product doesn't sell or spike (depending on if it's merch or promo) then these investors aren't gonna be investing in the next one.
So i's not so much of a positive thing for those revenue streams either.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 8/10/2025, 12:02 PM
@bobevanz - "It's the first time DC beat Marvel in over a [frick]ing decade."
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epc1122
epc1122 - 8/10/2025, 12:12 PM
@ObserverIO - to a point that’s true but we also don’t know the numbers if the Superman brand itself is selling in those stores but I’m sure wb is taking that into account to see if this movie is successful. Superman has a pretty strong fan base, at least domestically.
DTor91
DTor91 - 8/10/2025, 12:31 PM
@DocSpock - But it is, in fact, a financial success. Making up stuff yet again.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 8/10/2025, 12:50 PM
@DTor91 -

Nope. Spending 100s of millions and profiting a few peanuts is NOT financial success.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 8/10/2025, 11:11 AM
Haters adding marketing budget but will not consider other sources of profit like merch, digital/physical release, tax reliefs and such 😭
Wallywest001
Wallywest001 - 8/10/2025, 11:15 AM
@vectorsigma - let’s say the budget is 340 million. It’s had a strong domestic release so it may break even. Studios keep about 70% of the ticket sales for the first 2 weeks then it drops down to 50%. International % are much lower. No way 500 mil is the break even point. Break even point is probably closer to 650 million.
kazuma
kazuma - 8/10/2025, 11:23 AM
@Wallywest001 - And again you've ignored his point. Merch is a big selling point for these movies.
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/10/2025, 11:25 AM
@vectorsigma - sorry, didn’t see this before posting mine but definitely agree.
F4ntasticClunge
F4ntasticClunge - 8/10/2025, 11:40 AM
@vectorsigma - let's add merch to discussion on box office performance!

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SuperiorHeckler
SuperiorHeckler - 8/10/2025, 11:49 AM
@vectorsigma - Studios don't exactly promote and brag about final budget costs. Most of the numbers that we read are from leaks and (even worse) "guesstimates". So, it becomes inherently more difficult to accurately state just how much money a movie must make to go into the black these days. 🤔
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 8/10/2025, 12:17 PM
@F4ntasticClunge - lolz, the topic is success/flop.

So if you read between the lines it is money going in and out and which one is higher.

You are exactly one of the recipients of the message 😭😭😭😭
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 8/10/2025, 12:20 PM
@SuperiorHeckler - i agree and i believe these studios lie about the real numbers as well.

We all take a guess and im giving a counter arguments to clowns who add budget and marketing to determine that this is a flop BUT dont include other sources of profit.
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 8/10/2025, 12:22 PM
@epc1122 - no worries, we all comment based on context of different threads so all good
F4ntasticClunge
F4ntasticClunge - 8/10/2025, 12:48 PM
@vectorsigma - so in this case then we can count marvels flops as success because they will make money back on merch and Disney+ subscriptions...is that what you're saying? 👀
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 8/10/2025, 12:52 PM
@F4ntasticClunge - no because 600M > 400M
AllsGood
AllsGood - 8/10/2025, 11:12 AM
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bobevanz
bobevanz - 8/10/2025, 11:12 AM
@AllsGood - F4 will barely clear 500m. What do you have to say about that bot
AllsGood
AllsGood - 8/10/2025, 11:16 AM
@bobevanz - DCU Superman won the 2025 Smallest Flop Award.

While Marvel Studios Holds All the Cards and Box Office Records. Marvel Studios Deadpool and Wolverine 2024 was Huge Box Office Hit with 1.3 Billion at the Box Office.

Marvel Studios has Made Billions and Billions and Billions 32 Billion and Growing Fast. Next year we have Spider-Man New Day coming out.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 8/10/2025, 11:17 AM
@AllsGood - blah blah blah you shill
spr0cks
spr0cks - 8/10/2025, 11:20 AM
@bobevanz -

That both movies flopped and that it's not as big a flex as you think bragging about being the tallest midget in the circus.
AllsGood
AllsGood - 8/10/2025, 11:22 AM
@bobevanz -
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epc1122
epc1122 - 8/10/2025, 11:27 AM
@AllsGood - what’s your point though? Do you see any of this money? Why do people have to make something like this into a battle?? If you enjoyed the movies, great but they’re all comic book movies. Some are more liked than others but we all win in the end if these movies do well.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 8/10/2025, 11:34 AM
@spr0cks -

Well put.

Mongrol
Mongrol - 8/10/2025, 11:59 AM
@AllsGood -

Superman is a DC film made by a Marvel director.

ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 8/10/2025, 12:08 PM
@epc1122 - "We all win in the end if these movies do well." Very true. Though the reverse is also true.
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 8/10/2025, 12:13 PM
@spr0cks

The only difference in box office this movie will have from Man of Steel is the 60 mil it made from China, which WB only gets around 20% of.
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/10/2025, 12:16 PM
@ObserverIO - also true but I think dc had so many disasters that they’re learning from it and same can be said for marvel. Superman and dc studios had to regain the general audience which I think it had and I think marvel is having less output which should help their brand. I think spider-man next year will be for marvel what Superman did this year for dc studios. Just a guess but I think spider-man will do about 800 million and then avengers will hit a billion. I can see supergirl making about 500 million but I don’t think the production budget will be as high as Superman so it’ll turn more of a profit which will make wb happy.
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