James Gunn’s Superman Nears $350M Domestic, Close to American Sniper

James Gunn’s Superman is rapidly approaching $350 million in domestic box office earnings, bringing it close to the tally of the Bradley Cooper-led war drama American Sniper. Released in theaters on July 11, the movie continues to attract audiences across North America, demonstrating why the James Gunn Superman box office success is a notable event for 2025’s cinematic landscape.

The film is expected to reach the $600 million milestone worldwide very soon, pending the final weekend results. Notably, it has already surpassed the global earnings of Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning, placing it among the top five highest-grossing Hollywood films of the year. The makers of this DC Universe (DCU) film have expressed relief and satisfaction over its strong performance so far.

Steady Earnings Highlight Superman’s Staying Power

After 41 days in theaters, Superman has accumulated over $343 million domestically. Though the weekly revenue dipped by 32.8% this past Wednesday, bringing in $651,000, the movie has maintained solid momentum, holding the number one spot at the domestic box office until the recent debut of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Currently, it ranks as the second highest-grossing DC film domestically, only trailing behind Wonder Woman.

This strong showing confirms Superman’s broad appeal and enduring audience interest, despite a competitive summer release window filled with other blockbusters.

James Gunn
Image of: James Gunn

Close Competition With American Sniper’s Box Office Record

American Sniper, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper in a critically acclaimed role that earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, remains a significant benchmark for Warner Bros. domestically, having collected $350.1 million. It also won the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing, solidifying its place in cinematic history.

Currently, Superman sits just under $10 million shy of surpassing American Sniper to move into the eighth position on Warner Bros’ all-time domestic box office list. Industry tracking suggests James Gunn’s film will comfortably exceed this total, potentially earning between $350 million and $360 million before its theatrical run concludes.

Bradley Cooper’s Minor but Meaningful Role in Superman

Although Bradley Cooper does not star in the film, he makes a brief appearance as Jor-El, the father of Kal-El (Superman), through a holographic message that plays a critical role in Superman’s origin story. His cameo lasts only about a minute, yet it links Cooper’s involvement in both American Sniper and this DCU project.

Significance of James Gunn’s Superman Box Office Performance

With a current worldwide gross of $598.5 million, James Gunn’s Superman solidifies itself as the fifth highest-grossing Hollywood release of 2025 so far. Its near-$350 million domestic earnings reflect both robust fan interest and successful marketing, reinforcing James Gunn’s reputation as a box office draw.

The film’s ability to challenge established hits like American Sniper further highlights its importance in Warner Bros’ lineup and the broader superhero genre. As it continues its run, industry watchers will be keenly observing whether it crosses the $600 million global mark and climbs higher in Warner Bros’ all-time domestic rankings.