SUPERMAN Now Set For Potential $230 Million Global Debut Following Highly Positive First Reviews

SUPERMAN Now Set For Potential $230 Million Global Debut Following Highly Positive First Reviews

It seems the positive first reviews have pushed box office estimates for James Gunn's Superman past the $200 million mark, as the movie looks set for a very impressive opening weekend haul...

By MarkCassidy - Jul 08, 2025 05:07 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman

The full review embargo for Superman lifted earlier today, and thanks to a mostly very positive reception from critics, the first ever DCU movie now looks set for an impressive global debut.

Though the movie is still sure to face stiff competition from Universal's mighty Jurassic World Rebirth, the latest updates (per the trades) put James Gunn's reboot on track to take in "at least $200 million" this weekend.

The studio is keeping its estimates a little more conservative with a $100 million to $110 million domestic start, but analysts predict that it could climb as high as $120 million to $130 million, with another $100 million from overseas markets.

Superman had a reported production budget of $200 million (though some outlets are claiming it's closer to $225M), and despite Gunn downplaying how much is actually riding on the movie's success, our introduction to the DCU (in live-action, at least) will be the litmus test for all future projects in this new shared DC Comics universe.

The film is currently sitting at 85% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 118 reviews, which should play a part in packing out theatres for the first few days of release - but positive word-of-mouth is obviously going to be even more important for continued success.

Do you plan on seeing Superman opening weekend?

Superman stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/the Man of Steel, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific, and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho.

The cast also Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell as "Ma" and "Pa" Kent, and Milly Alcock's Supergirl has been confirmed to make her debut ahead of her own Woman of Tomorrow movie.

"And that’s a wrap," Gunn posted last year when filming concluded. "God bless our cast and crew whose commitment, creativity, and hard work have brought this project to life. I set out to make a movie about a good man in a world that isn’t always so much. And the goodness and kindness and love I’ve encountered on a daily basis on the set has inspired me and thrust me forward when I felt too spent to move on my own.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. It has been an honor. The destination has been Superman, but the journey has been the toil and the laughter and the emotions and ideas and magic we’ve shared together on set - and for that I am forever grateful."

You can check out a synopsis for the movie below.

"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."

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McMurdo
McMurdo - 7/8/2025, 5:57 PM
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lord22
lord22 - 7/8/2025, 6:01 PM
@McMurdo - as a znyder fan myself i'm very glad to see a superman movie with good review and i hope it will make bank
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 7/8/2025, 5:57 PM
Hope this is a good first step for Gunn's DC film tenure. I like how he's not afraid to have these more obscure characters play a role in this one.
Irregular
Irregular - 7/8/2025, 5:57 PM
Damn! Way over Snyder's $196 million opening weekend worldwide.

Already looks to topple the opening weekend for Man of Steel domestically.
XKnight
XKnight - 7/8/2025, 5:59 PM
@Irregular - is this before or after inflation?
Irregular
Irregular - 7/8/2025, 6:03 PM
@XKnight - Opening weekend before inflation.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 7/8/2025, 6:13 PM
@XKnight - Inflation is kinda irrelevant (outside of total profit margins depending on respective production costs) when the total BO across ALL film last year was down at 2005 numbers thus way below the average BO per film of when MoS released.

https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/
SteviesRightFoo
SteviesRightFoo - 7/8/2025, 6:29 PM
@Irregular - i wish I could forget about the trash snyder released
Ryguy88
Ryguy88 - 7/8/2025, 6:33 PM
@Apophis71 - they should show the number of tickets sold
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 7/8/2025, 7:28 PM
@Ryguy88 - They should but never do far as I'm aware and with the rise in ticket prices since 2005 last years total tickets sold would be far, far lower than back then I'd guess.
RockReigns
RockReigns - 7/8/2025, 5:58 PM
I see it going higher than that.

But this is fantastic.
lord22
lord22 - 7/8/2025, 6:03 PM
i just saw it , you guys are not ready for that movie.
Thing94
Thing94 - 7/8/2025, 6:55 PM
@lord22 - User Comment Image
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/8/2025, 7:34 PM
@lord22 - dude, i was ready for this since Gunn became DC head 😭
Moriakum
Moriakum - 7/8/2025, 6:03 PM
So, as much as Quantumania?
lord22
lord22 - 7/8/2025, 7:20 PM
@Moriakum - quantumania is 46% wtf you mean
Fogs
Fogs - 7/8/2025, 7:32 PM
@Moriakum - Let's see how much F4 makes. It will be interesting to see.
Moriakum
Moriakum - 7/8/2025, 7:37 PM
@lord22 - I’m talking about opening weekend box office. Isn’t that the topic of this post?
da2213viking
da2213viking - 7/8/2025, 6:05 PM
I think anywhere between 750-800 million will be considered a win. This movie is like an open invite to the public to come inside and see that the renovated restaurant has been successfully done and you can you rest assure the food is good as well too. If you can get on the crowds good side that faith can be put into this universe its a good thing. Lot of leg work to restore my beloved DC.
JurassicClunge
JurassicClunge - 7/8/2025, 6:09 PM
This will be the final nail in the snydercucks coffins ⚰️
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 7/8/2025, 6:10 PM
Looking at all prior projections with some a month ago pointing to upto $200M DBO (even if others dropped down to as little as 90M) and with the reviews landing as they have I could now EASILY see this land on $150 D.OW and over $300M WW.OW but it is a mugs game guestimating anything these days.

I just hope it IS good and makes at least enough to ensure they continue as planned with the DCU, for now at least as theatres need the wins and the genre needs a fresh franchise doing well even whilst I hope the MCU continues to improve and fully return to form so we get a great mutant saga after Secret Wars.

Two connected universes of CBM's doing decent enough numbers should push each other to not be complacent and ensure all projects are the best they can be even if it means delayed releases at times.

Anyways, with all factors considered (overall BO still down and how other CBM's have done) I figured this would at most do a total $750M WW being released tween JW and FF but gloves are off now. I don't THINK it could pass a billion but no longer discounting that as possible and whereas could have seen this flounder around Thunderbolts number it is likely safe for at least $500M (which if budget IS 200 would be break even).

Anyway if the studio is low balling their expectations that is a good thing as no excuses if it reaches or passes that (even if doing so to make a so so BO for Superman sound like a win)
AllsGood
AllsGood - 7/8/2025, 6:10 PM
HIGHER!

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TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 7/8/2025, 6:15 PM
Sweet!!.

Please correct me if I’m wrong but if this happens then it’s one of the few post Co-Vid films to possibly open to 200 million or more globally amongst the likes of Top Gun Maverick , Minecraft etc?.

Anyway , I’m seeing it Saturday so hope I like it!!.

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Drizzt001
Drizzt001 - 7/8/2025, 7:00 PM
@TheVisionary25 - Even the high end of 230 million is not awesome.. Damn did they damage the DC brand.

Spider‑Man: No Way Home (Dec 2021) – $600.5M

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (May 2022) – $452M

Avatar: The Way of Water (Dec 2022) – $441.7M

Deadpool & Wolverine (Jul 2024) – $444.7M

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Nov 2022) – $331.6M

Jurassic World Dominion (Jun 2022) – $386M

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Apr 2023) – $377.2M

Avatar: The Way of Water appears again—already listed above

Barbie (Jul 2023) – $356.3M

Moana 2 (Nov 2024) – $389.3M

Lilo & Stitch (May 2025) – $341M

Jurassic World Rebirth (Jul 2025) – $322.1M

A Minecraft Movie (Apr 2025) – $313.7M

AllsGood
AllsGood - 7/8/2025, 6:16 PM
MarkCassidy Your Post on X could go either way is it a Fresh or Rotten Tomatoes?
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 7/8/2025, 6:29 PM
@AllsGood - definitely fresh... I'd only go rotten for a movie i really didn't care for.
Moriakum
Moriakum - 7/8/2025, 6:18 PM
The fact that is considered a win a Superman movie to open with the same numbers as a mediocre Ant-Man movie shows how deep in the trash DC's brand is.
CreateNowSlpL8r
CreateNowSlpL8r - 7/8/2025, 6:20 PM
Told you guys this was going to crush at the box office.
AllsGood
AllsGood - 7/8/2025, 6:25 PM
@CreateNowSlpL8r - Will ONLY Help Marvel Studios Fantastic Four: First Steps as long as it gets good reviews too.
SonOfAGif
SonOfAGif - 7/8/2025, 6:28 PM
@CreateNowSlpL8r - It's all about the legs. A front loaded opening weekend is nice and dandy but it needs legs to be a box office success for the studio. Same applies for Jurassic World Rebirth and Fantastic 4
Moriakum
Moriakum - 7/8/2025, 6:33 PM
@CreateNowSlpL8r - 230 million worldwide for a Superman movie is hardly crushing... At least as far as the opening weekend is concerned. What matters is what comes after, the legs. If it has legs, it can indeed crush at the BO.
Ryguy88
Ryguy88 - 7/8/2025, 6:34 PM
@CreateNowSlpL8r - it will need a solid 2nd weekend to prove it's a success. I'm hoping it does well.
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 7/8/2025, 6:34 PM
We [frick]ing did it. We [frick]ing did it. 🔥

After all the whining, all the doom-posting, all the “overstuffed” bullshit , Superman is now tracking for a $230 million global debut. First DCU film out the gate and already swinging its big red cape like a [frick]ing titan.

85% on Rotten Tomatoes. Certified Fresh. Critics eating their words. Word of mouth popping off. This is what happens when you mix actual heart with comic book chaos and a director who gives a [frick].

Gunn built a film that isn’t trying to be safe, isn’t trying to fit a mould, it’s a bold, joyful, unapologetic punch to the face of superhero fatigue.

So to everyone who said the DCU was dead before it started? Suck on that $230 million. We showed up. And we’re only getting started.

For [frick]s sake

Hail DC🫡
vectorsigma
vectorsigma - 7/8/2025, 7:53 PM
@THEKENDOMAN - never had a doubt in my veins the moment Gunn became DC head.

Hoping it goes really well with the legs.
stephhurry
stephhurry - 7/8/2025, 6:43 PM
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Drizzt001
Drizzt001 - 7/8/2025, 6:52 PM
Looking at this realistically, Even with a 200-230 million opening, The math isn't mathing.. It would need a 3.5 multiplier just to hit 700 million. With Jurassic World still pulling numbers and F4 upcoming, This is going to struggle to get there, let alone a billion. Been reading pretty soft pre-sales in Asia. Not comparing quality, but Quantumania made over 200 million worldwide with very little competition. I just hope WB see's the good critical and audience response not to do something stupid. Ugh
Mrnorth1921
Mrnorth1921 - 7/8/2025, 7:02 PM
@Drizzt001 - again, Gunn has stated that if doesn’t need 700 mill to make back what it cost to make. If anything 600 or 550.
Drizzt001
Drizzt001 - 7/8/2025, 7:05 PM
@Mrnorth1921 - I get that but it will most likely not even get to 700 :( I know it doesn't need to or shouldn't need to, but WB is hanging on by a thread. And they have not always made great choices when it comes to the DC brand.
RockReigns
RockReigns - 7/8/2025, 7:13 PM
@Drizzt001 - Quantumania only had a 46% approval rating. And terrible WOM.

Superman is the complete opposite so far. I think Superman will have much stronger legs.
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