The 2024 summer season has seen a mix of movie performances, with some films like Dean Fleischer Camp‘s Lilo and Stitch and Jurassic World Rebirth achieving significant success, while others such as The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Pixar’s Elio underperformed. In this landscape, James Gunn’s Superman managed to avoid outright failure and landed on the more positive side. Although the film has performed well domestically by surpassing $350 million, it appears unlikely to match the box office earnings of Gunn’s previous project, Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3.
Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3, the concluding chapter of the popular Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) trilogy, earned critical acclaim and a strong audience response, with Rotten Tomatoes scores of 82% from critics and 94% from viewers. Despite these high marks, its box office revenue totaled $845 million globally, with $359 million coming from the U.S. market and $486 million internationally. At present, Superman trails by approximately $9 million in domestic revenue compared to Guardians, Vol. 3, a margin that the former is unlikely to close given its current trajectory.
Declining Theater Presence and Slowdown in Earnings
After its recent release on Premium Video on Demand (PVOD) platforms, Superman appears to be winding down its theatrical run. The latest weekend yielded $2.5 million in ticket sales, marking a 24% drop from the prior weekend and coinciding with the film showing in fewer than 2,000 theaters for the first time. On Monday, September 1, which was a national holiday, the movie made just $700,000 domestically, signaling a diminished daily revenue and making it unlikely the film will surpass $1 million in a single day again.
Critical Reception Highlights a Successful New Chapter for Superman
Despite early doubts about Gunn’s reinterpretation of the iconic Man of Steel, the movie was met with widespread critical and audience praise. Superman currently holds an 83% critic score and a 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside an “A-” grade from CinemaScore. Reviewer Ross Bonaime of Collider described it as
one of the best movies of the summer
and rated it 8 out of 10. He further commented,
Superman is a magnificent feat, a film that makes the Man of Steel fascinating in a way we’ve rarely seen on film, with a take on the hero that is trenchant, clever, and delightful.
—Ross Bonaime, Reviewer at Collider
Main Cast Brings New Depth to Iconic Characters
The film stars David Corenswet as Superman, offering a fresh portrayal of the legendary hero, while Rachel Brosnahan plays Lois Lane, his key confidante. Their performances contribute significantly to the movie’s strong reception and help establish a captivating dynamic that resonates with audiences.
Looking Ahead: Superman‘s Place in the Current Film Landscape
While James Gunn’s Superman may not reach the financial heights of his previous MCU blockbuster, its respectable box office results combined with critical acclaim secure its status as a notable summer success. The film’s gradual exit from theaters will soon be balanced by its availability on digital platforms, potentially expanding its audience further. Its performance reflects a healthy, if not record-breaking, chapter for DC and sets the stage for future storytelling possibilities within the franchise.
