James Gunn’s latest film, the new Superman feature, has overtaken the Tom Cruise Mission Impossible box office numbers, grossing over $598 million worldwide as of now. This marks a significant milestone in 2025’s box office race, positioning Superman ahead of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which has earned $597 million globally.
While both movies continue to perform strongly in theaters, Superman currently holds the sixth spot among the highest-grossing films of 2025. It faces competition from the live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon, which has brought in over $626 million worldwide, making it a close contest as both movies remain in cinemas. Despite this, Mission: Impossible dominates digital platforms in the United States, still leading iTunes and Amazon’s Top 10 charts as of August 22, 2025, with Superman trailing behind.
Overview of Mission: Impossible and Superman Films
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is the eighth and final chapter of the popular franchise. In addition to Tom Cruise, the cast includes notable Marvel actors such as Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, and Angela Bassett. Meanwhile, Superman represents the start of James Gunn’s reboot of the DC Universe, featuring David Corenswet in the title role, alongside Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult. Both films have received praise from fans and critics, significantly impacting their franchises.
Superman’s story explores the balance between his alien heritage and upbringing on Earth, embodying ideals of truth, justice, and the American way in a world that often undervalues kindness. Rachel Brosnahan plays Lois Lane, a key figure supporting the superhero’s journey.
2025’s Leading Box Office Performances
The year 2025 has been remarkable for cinema, with two films surpassing the billion-dollar mark worldwide. At the top is the Chinese-animated film Ne Zha 2, which has earned $2.2 billion and is set to return to theaters with an English dub featuring Michelle Yeoh and Aleks Le. Following closely is Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch, having grossed over $1.03 billion.
The Minecraft Movie holds third place with $955 million, with a sequel already in development. Jurassic World Rebirth stands in fourth, generating $833 million so far and continuing its run in theaters. Other strong performers include Detective Chinatown 1900, Apple’s F1: The Movie which earned $595 million, and Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, with over $472 million at the box office.
Future Outlook for Superman and Mission: Impossible
Both Superman and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning are available for digital purchase as they continue to attract audiences in theaters and online. With Superman approaching the Top 5 highest-grossing films of the year, its success may influence further developments in the DC Universe reboot. Meanwhile, Mission: Impossible’s lasting presence on digital charts indicates strong viewer engagement even after its theatrical release.
