James Gunn’s reboot of Superman has shattered previous marks, delivering the biggest debut ever for a solo Superman film. It racked up $123 million domestically over its opening weekend, with an additional $95 million internationally, bringing the global tally to $217 million. This places it among 2025’s top three openings, only behind A Minecraft Movie and Jurassic World Rebirth.

Outperforming Man of Steel, Nearing Batman v. Superman

The film surpassed the debut of Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, which opened at $116 million in 2013. Yet it remains behind Snyder’s ensemble entry Batman v. Superman, which posted a massive $166 million launch in 2016. For Gunn, this marks his second-largest opening after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 ($146.5 million in 2017).

Critical Praise & Audience Acclaim

Praise has propelled its success. Critics awarded the film an 83% Rotten Tomatoes rating, while audience sentiment scored an A– CinemaScore and a 93% audience rating on RT’s Popcornometer. Such buzz follows strong word-of-mouth and solid tracking ahead of release.

A Budget-Friendly Blockbuster

The production budget of $225 million was managed efficiently by avoiding an A-list cast. Warner Bros. aims for a global haul of $500 million, which seems well within reach given the debut figures. Some industry analysts suggest a breakeven target closer to $700 million .

Superman as an Immigrant and a Human

Gunn’s version of Superman reintroduces the character as an immigrant allegory, celebrating human kindness over national identity. He replaces “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” with “the Human Way,” a shift that sparked debate. While some conservative voices dismissed it as “woke,” Gunn defended his vision and the moral core of the story.

Global and Indian Box Office Performance

Internationally, the film earned $95 million across 78 markets. In India, it debuted to approximately Rs 7 crore on day one, and reached Rs 24.96 crore over the weekend, solid numbers for a Hollywood release.

A New Era for the DC Universe

As the inaugural release under DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, Superman is widely regarded as the cornerstone for the reimagined DC Universe. CEO David Zaslav and studio insiders have predicted the new regime could represent a “game changer” for Warner Bros.

Gunn’s Gratitude & Global Resonance

Gunn took to social media to express thanks, writing that he focused on the "man" behind the icon, “a kind person always looking out for those in need,” and that this message resonated globally.

Looking Ahead

With a stellar opening weekend, managed budget, and strong critical and audience reception, Superman looks positioned to surpass the $500 million goal, and possibly challenge for $700 million or more, redefining the box office landscape for DC. Its success marks a hopeful beginning for Gunn’s DC Universe reboot, and the future of the Man of Steel.