Warner Bros. bounces back as ‘Superman’ flies past expectations with $122m U.S. Debut, $217m global

James Gunn’s Superman has breathed new life into DC’s cinematic universe, smashing its opening weekend with a $122 million domestic haul and over $217 million globally, offering a much-needed win for Warner Bros. after a string of flops.

The new reboot of the iconic superhero franchise landed the second-biggest opening day of 2025, raking in $56.5 million on Friday alone. That figure puts it just behind Minecraft: The Movie—also a Warner Bros. title—which opened with $57.1 million in April, and ahead of Disney’s Lilo and Stitch.

Early numbers suggest that Superman is on course to recoup its hefty $225 million production budget, confirmed by The Wall Street Journal last week. The studio hopes the film’s momentum will carry the DC brand into a bold new era—spearheaded by Gunn and fellow DC Studios co-chair Peter Safran.

The win is not just commercial—it’s symbolic. Warner Bros. suffered catastrophic losses in 2024, with share prices tumbling to historic lows following a spate of underperforming releases. Amid boardroom tension and an impending corporate divorce from Discovery, the studio has desperately needed a box office success.

Directed by Gunn himself, Superman signals a creative and strategic turning point for the DC universe. The reboot, featuring a fresh cast and a grounded tone, has received a warm critical reception—scoring 82% with critics and a glowing 93% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes by Sunday afternoon.

The buzz hasn’t been without backlash. Right-wing commentators lashed out in the run-up to release after Gunn described Superman as an “immigrant” in a July 4 interview with The Sunday Times, labelling the film “superwoke”. But the wider public appears unfazed, flocking to cinemas across the globe in support.

Elsewhere at the box office, Jurassic World: Rebirth held firm with an estimated $40 million, while the Formula 1-themed drama F1 took third place with $13 million, according to Deadline.

For DC, the significance of Superman’s triumph cannot be overstated. The studio has limped through years of commercial misfires. Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom both opened under $30 million in 2023. The Flash fared little better at $55 million. Even 2013’s Man of Steel—the last reboot starring Henry Cavill and directed by Zack Snyder—opened slightly lower at $117 million.

Gunn’s version of the character has clearly struck a different chord.

In an interview with The New York Times, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav hailed Superman’s success as the start of a long-term revival. “Now we have Gunn and Safran firing with a 10-year plan,” he said. “Supergirl has already been shot. They’re working on Wonder Woman. They’re working on Batman.”

The DC brand, once considered chaotic and inconsistent, may finally be back on track—with Superman leading the charge.