“Superman” debuts with $122 million domestically, launching James Gunn’s new DC cinematic era and achieving record box office success.
In Short:
– “Superman” premiered, earning $122 million domestically, the highest for a solo Superman film.
– It marks James Gunn and Peter Safran’s first release as DC Studios heads and has strong implications for future strategy.
“Superman” debuted in theatres this weekend, earning an estimated $122 million in domestic ticket sales. This film marks the first release from James Gunn and Peter Safran since they became co-heads of Warner Bros. Discovery‘s DC Comics film and TV unit in late 2022. They have established a 10-year plan to revitalize the studio’s franchises, including new interpretations of Superman and Batman.
Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore, noted that the success of “Superman” allows DC Studios to reset its strategy and sets the stage for future developments. The domestic box office for “Superman” is the highest for a solo Superman film, surpassing the $116 million debut of “Superman: Man of Steel” in 2013.
Among DC films, only four have had higher openings: “Batman v. Superman” at $166 million, “The Dark Knight Rises” at $160 million, “The Dark Knight” at $158.4 million, and “The Batman” at $134 million.
Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango, described “Superman” as a significant summer hit and a strong start for Gunn’s leadership at DC Studios. Globally, “Superman” garnered $95 million in international sales, leading to a total opening estimate of $217 million worldwide.
