James Gunn’s latest Superman film has achieved a significant milestone by overtaking Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel in domestic box office revenue after just 18 days in theaters. Released earlier this month, the movie marks a pivotal moment in the revitalization of the DC Universe (DCU), positioning itself as the foundation for the new timeline under DC Studios.
With David Corenswet portraying Superman, the film has emerged as one of DC’s first critical and commercial successes after years of mixed efforts within the DCEU, culminating in the franchise’s reboot in 2023. As the 2025 Superman continues to draw audiences, it has now claimed the highest domestic earnings for a Superman movie in the U.S.
The Box Office Performance and Comparison to Past Superman Films
According to Box Office Mojo, James Gunn’s Superman collected $292.4 million domestically as of July 29, 2025, surpassing the $291 million earned by Man of Steel during its entire U.S. run in 2013. Globally, the film has amassed $506.5 million, with international markets still contributing as the theatrical release continues.
This record-breaking run comes despite competition from other major releases such as Jurassic World Rebirth and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, underscoring the strong audience interest in Superman’s latest adaptation.
The Significance of Gunn’s Superman as a Fresh Start to the DC Universe
With these numbers, the James Gunn-directed Superman represents the highest-grossing Superman film domestically, eclipsing not only Man of Steel but also Christopher Reeve’s iconic portrayal from the late 1970s and 1980s. Additionally, it outperforms the box office totals of Brandon Routh’s Superman Returns from 2006 in both the domestic and worldwide categories.
Historic domestic and international box office figures of Superman films highlight the gap James Gunn’s 2025 installment now fills:
- Superman (1978): $134.4M domestic, $166M international, $300.4M worldwide
- Superman II (1980): $108.1M domestic, $108.2M international, $216.3M worldwide
- Superman III (1983): $59.9M domestic, $20.3M international, $80.2M worldwide
- Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987): $15.6M domestic, $14.6M international, $30.2M worldwide
- Superman Returns (2006): $200M domestic, $191M international, $391M worldwide
- Man of Steel (2013): $291M domestic, $379.1M international, $670.1M worldwide
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016): $330.3M domestic, $544M international, $874.3M worldwide
- Justice League (2017): $229M domestic, $432.3M international, $661.3M worldwide
- Superman (2025): $292.4M domestic, $214.1M international, $506.5M worldwide (as of July 29, 2025)
The critical question now is whether Gunn’s Superman will exceed Man of Steel’s global haul by the end of its cinematic run. Despite its domestic success, surpassing global totals such as those achieved by Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice appears unlikely, but it may eclipse Man of Steel and 2017’s Justice League worldwide depending on future audience reception.
The Impact of Gunn’s Superman on DC Studios and the Future of the DC Universe
The positive domestic box office trajectory of Superman indicates a resurgence of audience enthusiasm for the character and DC’s evolving cinematic brand. With strong critical acclaim and audience support, the film signals hope for the relaunch of the DCU under James Gunn’s direction, offering numerous references and teasers for future projects within the franchise.
The film’s critical reception supports this momentum, as reflected by its Rotten Tomatoes scores, which surpass many previous Superman and DCEU films:
- Superman (2025): 83% critics, 91% audience (as of July 29, 2025)
While other Superman movies and DCEU entries have received mixed to poor reviews, Gunn’s rendition demonstrates clear audience approval, contributing to robust word-of-mouth and encouraging box office performance.
This success story holds particular promise for DC Studios, as it hopes to build a sustainable and unified universe following the struggles of past films. The renewed interest in Superman sets a precedent that could benefit upcoming releases in the next few years.
About the 2025 Superman Film
Superman (2025) follows Clark Kent, played by David Corenswet, as he balances his life as a Metropolis journalist with his Kryptonian origins and superhero responsibilities. The film explores themes of identity and belonging amid a complex modern world, marking a fresh approach to the iconic superhero’s story.
Directed and written by James Gunn, the movie is produced by Peter Safran and boasts a cast that includes Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. The runtime of the film is 130 minutes, and it carries a PG-13 rating. This project represents a crucial chapter in reshaping the DC Universe for contemporary audiences.
