James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman movie is poised to become the most successful solo Superman film to date, based on impressive opening weekend projections.
Launching the new DC Universe (DCU), the film is set to follow in the footsteps of the original DCEU by kicking off with the Man of Steel — and fans are responding with enthusiasm.
Early reviews have been promising, with Superman earning an 85% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes as of writing. This strong reception is driving robust box office expectations, making the movie one of 2025’s biggest releases. According to box office analyst Luiz Fernando, the film is projected to earn between $230 million and $250 million globally during its opening weekend.
The forecast includes a domestic three-day haul of $130M to $140M, and an international five-day total of $100M to $110M. If accurate, these numbers would surpass the opening weekend record held by Man of Steel (2013), which launched with $200.3 million globally.
This strong start could help Superman quickly recover its reported $225 million production budget, not accounting for marketing costs. While it may not reach the $1 billion milestone, analysts suggest a final gross between $700 million and $850 million is realistic — positioning it as a major win for DC Studios.
The film stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, alongside Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor), and Nathan Fillion (Green Lantern). Additional cast members include Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl), Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific), and Anthony Carrigan (Metamorpho).
If projections hold, Gunn’s Superman would not only claim the title of the biggest Superman debut but also become the highest-grossing solo Superman film ever — surpassing Man of Steel’s $668 million lifetime gross.
This powerful launch could give the DCU the momentum it needs as it expands into upcoming titles like Supergirl, Green Lantern, and The Authority.