James Gunn’s Superman earns $122M in North America, marking a new chapter for DC Studios with strong reviews and a promising reboot of the iconic hero.
Canadian Audiences Help Launch DC’s New Era with a Bang
In a major box-office milestone, Superman, directed by James Gunn, debuted with an impressive $122 million in ticket sales across the U.S. and Canada this past weekend, according to Warner Bros. estimates. The film’s domestic success signals a crucial turning point for DC Studios, long in need of a hit.
The Stakes Behind the Cape
DC and Warner Bros. had much to prove with this release. After a string of underperforming titles like The Flash and Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Gunn’s Superman was positioned as the official reboot of the franchise. As the first film under the creative leadership of Gunn and Peter Safran, co-CEOs of DC Studios, the movie’s reception is being closely watched as a barometer for the studio’s new direction.
North American Fans Lead the Charge
Released on July 11, Superman brought in $122 million from theatres across the U.S. and Canada—marking the third-largest domestic opening of 2025 and the best for a DC film since Wonder Woman in 2017. Canadian fans contributed significantly to the total, helping lift the film’s North American appeal despite a weaker showing internationally.
Mixed Overseas Results, Modest Chinese Debut
While the North American numbers soared, international sales were softer. Superman collected $95 million across 78 international markets, with just $6.6 million in China. This performance, though modest, is not uncommon for Western superhero franchises in today’s shifting global cinema landscape.
New Tone, New Superman
David Corenswet takes on the role of Clark Kent, joined by Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Rather than revisiting the origin story, the film opens after Superman’s first major defeat, reflecting Gunn’s fresh tonal approach. The $225 million production is a stark tonal departure from the darker vision of Zack Snyder’s earlier DC entries.
Public Reaction and Political Undercurrents
The film has also sparked political discourse, particularly in the U.S. Gunn’s framing of Superman as “an immigrant” drew right-wing backlash, while others praised the metaphor. Even the White House joined the fray, posting a meme of Donald Trump as Superman—further fueling the online conversation.
Reviews Strong, Competition Stiff
With an 82% “Fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes and an “A–” CinemaScore from audiences, Gunn’s Superman is being hailed as a critical and commercial success. Though it didn’t match the $166 million opening of Batman v Superman (2016), it surpassed 2013’s Man of Steel and reflects a shift toward more favorable fan sentiment.
Superman faced notable competition: Jurassic World Rebirth earned $40 million in its second weekend, and Apple Studios’ F1, starring Brad Pitt, brought in $13 million, holding third place.
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