James Gunn‘s Superman recently exceeded expectations by surpassing the domestic box office earnings of Marvel’s The Winter Soldier, a favorite MCU film starring Chris Evans. This milestone marks a significant achievement as Superman continues its rise since release, establishing itself as a major contender in superhero cinema.
The Winter Soldier, featuring Chris Evans as Captain America and released in 2014, had long held a strong position with $259 million earned domestically during its theatrical run. However, Gunn’s Superman now leads at the U.S. box office, propelled by its widely positive reception and growing fanbase.
The Winter Soldier’s Role in Marvel’s Success
Chris Evans’ portrayal of Captain America began in 2011, with his role evolving until he retired from the MCU in 2019. Despite this lengthy tenure, Evans has publicly stated that he considers The Winter Soldier his favorite MCU film, as it was the project where he truly found his stride. This film not only solidified his character’s place in the franchise but also marked the directorial debut of Joe and Anthony Russo, who later helmed major Marvel events like Civil War, Infinity War, and Endgame.
The Winter Soldier was praised for its grounded, realistic tone and became an important chapter in the MCU, grossing over $700 million worldwide. The Russo brothers’ work helped lay the foundation for this success, contributing to a combined $6.5 billion in worldwide box office for their Marvel films.
Superman’s Strong Reception and Future Prospects
Superman stars David Corenswet as the titular hero and has been met with positive reviews, holding an 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have highlighted the film’s balance of a fresh narrative world with a focus on its central character‘s emotional core. One critical consensus reads,
“Pulling off the heroic feat of fleshing out a dynamic new world while putting its champion’s big, beating heart front and center, this Superman flies high as a Man of Tomorrow grounded in the here and now.”
—Rotten Tomatoes, Critics
Grossing over $400 million globally so far, Superman is positioned to initiate a new shared cinematic universe based on DC characters, effectively replacing the earlier DC Extended Universe which faced mixed reactions. This strategy aims to build a cohesive and enduring franchise moving forward.
Marvel’s Recent Challenges and Evolving Characters
The Winter Soldier also marked the introduction of Anthony Mackie’s Falcon, who subsequently became a central figure in the MCU, stepping into the role of Captain America after Evans. Mackie’s debut as Captain America in Captain America: Brave New World this year, however, saw modest box office returns and received critical disappointment, highlighting ongoing fluctuations in the franchise’s success.
Meanwhile, Chris Evans briefly revisited superhero cinema with a cameo as Johnny Storm in Deadpool & Wolverine last year, underscoring his continued presence in the genre despite retiring from his original role. As Superman advances in theaters, audiences and critics alike are watching closely to see how its success will influence the superhero movie landscape.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and often talks about how prayer is still significant to him. However, he also describes himself as “somewhat against religion.”
Q. Is James Gunn no longer with Marvel?
A. After being removed from the Guardians of the Galaxy series in 2018, the director thought his career might be finished. Fortunately, in 2022, he and Peter Safran were chosen to lead DC Studios, giving him a chance to work on a new superhero project. Toby Emmerich from Warner Bros. supported this transition.
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. Ozu inspired the new CGI version of Krypto the Superdog in Gunn’s 2025 Superman movie.
Gunn grew up in a Catholic family and still values prayer in his life. However, he also describes himself as being somewhat against organized religion.
